Quick Announcement: This will be my last blog post of 2023 as I am finishing up a special project *fingers crossed!!* It is my goal to be on schedule next year; all we can do is try. But I hope you enjoy this post and I look forward to continuing to expand Break the Seal Press in the 2024!
This has been a great year for the Black college marching bands. The bands were absolutely giving Black Renaissance all season long and I am so proud to be an alumna of my favorite one.
I knew it was going to be a legendary year. 2023 is 20 years after 2003 which was also a very iconic year. Every week I found myself excitedly anticipating the newest videos from ShowTime Web, Killa Kev, BandTube HD, Smash Time Productions, and Mike WORLD. Also, shoutout to all the diehard fans and media teams for posting these videos on YouTube. Times are hard when you live in California and there’s few Black colleges. I would not have been able to bear witness to all this magic without you all and I thank you so much for doing what you do. One day, we will have an ESPN-like network for HBCU bands, I know it’s coming.
The pressure was definitely worser this year with JSU starting band camp a whole week earlier. That first showcase and pep rally they had let me know from the jump that they were competing against JSU, not anyone else. As I am reflecting on this season, it seems to me that all the bands had this energy that they were standing on business, really leaning into their own band’s sound and legacy rather than trying to be the loudest or the biggest. I love seasons like this, because we get just a bunch of good bands. Small bands held it DOWN as they usually do. And the newer bands such as Florida Memorial (who I’m rooting for the in ESPN National BOTB, you go y’all!!), Fisk, Chicago State, and Wilberforce are really a force to be reckoned with. I’m telling you, don’t sleep on the smaller bands. They are coming for necks, shoulders, knees, and toes.
Some of my favorite dance teams this year were my #1 in everything home team girls, Mahogany N Motion, the SENSATIONAL Stingettes at Alabama State, the fabulous Prancing J-Settes of JSU, the divine muva Golden Girls at Alcorn State, the sickening Satin Dolls at Mississippi Valley, and Texas Southern’s gorgeous gorgeous Motion of the Ocean. The gorls gave Black girl magic, they gave excellence, attitude, sass, and creativity for the ages the whole season long. These battles this year? They snatched my wig, scalp, eyebrows, and forehead skin. I was gagged thoroughly and I am truly impressed with the work all these incredible HBCU girls put into their craft this season. Keep it up!
Now, I know some guys like to tussle but this is all fun. My favorite bands this year included the one and only House of Funk, the Mighty Mighty Marching Hornets, Florida Memorial's ROAR Marching Band, PVAMU's Marching Storm, and Thee Ocean of Soul. They got the juice and they be playing with musicality and breath support most times. Also, I need my lows (ty TXSU, PVAMU, and ASU ;)). That’s all a tuba girl is really asking for. Speaking of which, shoutout to the tuba girls in all these bands doing their thang. I see you and I hear you and we are always the vibe! Black girl magic is the secret to any good band and that’s not my rule, I’m just the messenger. P.S.S. The Machismo pissing contest culture in HBCU bands needs to be left in 2023. It doesn’t make good music and it never ate.
I could write a dissertation *wink* on this season alone, but I won't. Congratulations to all the Black college students representing their schools and their rich creative heritage. I understand first-hand the sacrifice it takes to be a student-artist-athlete, and though it is a challenge it is so worth it. Being in the band was one of the best parts of college for me, and I wouldn't trade my experience for the world.
The importance of music and dance and the arts in general cannot be stated enough. From a critical lens all the way to a scientific point of view, art is medicine. It is the root and fruit of humanity. In the past couple of decades, people have been siphoning money away from arts and music programs and that is criminal. We should be very wary of any space that does not provide for arts expression. Not only does music and the arts create healing and community, it also keeps culture and history alive. These are the things that matter in life. Art is how we can imagine and practice a better world, one where taxes go towards textbooks instead of bombs. Art is where we can process traumatic events and create beautiful masterpieces. The arts matter, and I am totally here for the Renaissance era we’re living in. I encourage everyone to create art unapologetically, lean into Black arts scenes, and $upport $upport $upport artists and arts programs that make a positive difference.
Come thru Black Renaissance!
Tap in regularly for more bi-weekly blog posts about feminism, history, Blackness, and music brought to you by Break the Seal Press, a womanist press dedicated to transforming the world through quality literature and grassroots activism founded by Spelman grad, local herstorian, and writer, Jacqueline H. Brown-Gaines. If you can’t wait until the next blog post, check out my debut short story, Adventures with the Funk Haus Band, available now for only $5 plus shipping on this same website!! Proceeds from the sale of each book support Black college History programs and HBCU marching bands in need. You can also purchase copies to donate to under-resourced teens! It is the hottest short story of the year, don’t miss the band bus!!!
Thank you for taking the time to read and support Black-owned press. Our stories matter and Black lives matter always! (World) Peace!!