Florida A&M, Jackson State, and Southern University deliver original tributes as part of the MICHAEL CELEBRATES campaign ahead of the release of Michael on April 24.
As Lionsgate prepares for the April 24 domestic release of Michael, three of the nation’s most storied HBCU marching bands are paying tribute in a way only they can. Florida A&M University’s The Marching 100, Jackson State University’s The Sonic Boom of the South, and Southern University’s The Human Jukebox have each delivered original performances of “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” as part of the MICHAEL CELEBRATES: Legacy, Artistry, Culture campaign.
Timed to Black History Month, the initiative underscored the long-standing bond between HBCU band culture and Michael Jackson’s catalog. Across three days, each band unveiled its own arrangement on social media in collaboration with the film’s platforms. The performances are now streaming on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook.
At FAMU, Dr. Shelby R. Chipman said the opportunity aligned with the program’s tradition of pageantry and national visibility. “The Florida A&M University Marching 100 has a history for being a giant amongst marching bands and band pageantry, entertaining audiences,” he said. With high-profile appearances in recent years, the band approached the Jackson tribute with the same level of preparation. “When we got the call, we knew that we wanted to do something special.”
For Chipman, honoring the “King of Pop” meant capturing the entertainer’s signature movement and showmanship. The band incorporated MJ-themed field formations to deliver what he described as the program’s trademark “wow factor.” Central to the presentation was Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, FAMU’s head drum major and the first woman to hold the title in the band’s history. Chipman praised her leadership and presence…