Written by | Ray Cornelius
RC was in da building on last Saturday for the 11th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta, GA. Thousands of students, fans and supporters packed the Georgia Dome for one of the largest HBCU Band competitions in the country.
This year’s theme “House Party” was brought to life with on the field dance contests, a “Soul Train” line-style competition and two electrifying performances from house 90’s house music vocalist Crystal Waters and Grammy-Winning singer, actress and former reality-show star Brandy Norwood. There was also a dance-off between the participating HBCU dance teams, whose songs were selected by fans via social media.
Ryan Cameron and Sytonnia from Atlanta’s big station, V-103 served as hosts for the event.
This year’s invitational showcase was sponsored by Verizon Wireless, SunTrust Band and Honda, which gave away two cars. Participating HBCU bands included: Edward Waters’ Triple Threat Marching Band, Albany State’s Marching Rams, Tennessee State’s Aristocrat of Bands, Alcorn State’s Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite, Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South, Winston-Salem State’s Red Sea of Sound, Bethune Cookman’s Marching Wildcats and North Carolina A&T’s Blue and Gold Marching Band.
Check out some photos of the bands and dance teams in action along with Brandy and more:
Brandy rehearsing before the Honda Battle of the Bands
Bethune Cookman University 14 Karat Gold Dancers
Bethune Cookman University Wildcats preparing to hit the field
Crystal Waters performed her hits songs “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” and “100% Pure Love”
Edward Water College’s Purple Thunder Dance Team were a crowd favorite
Jackson State University, Sonic Boom of the South
V-103’s Morning Show host Ryan Cameron
Alcorn State’s The Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite performing
Dance teams participated in a dance-off where songs were selected by fans via social media
V-103’s Sytonnia co-hosted the event with Ryan Cameron
Tennessee State University performing
Singer-actress Brandy closed out the invitational showcase
Brandy performed the song “Wildest Dreams” from her latest album 2/11
Brandy also stars in BET’s hit show, The Game which is filmed in Atlanta
Brandy worked with super producer Bangladesh for her hit single, “Put it Down” featuring Chris Brown
Honda was a sponsor for the competition and gave away two cars
Brandy helped Ryan Cameron pick a Honda car winner
Brandy hugs the winner of the Honda Car Give-A-Way
I got a chance to meet Brandy after the show
Click here to see additional photos of Brandy and the Bands performing…
Photography Credit: Done by Sight Photography
