The legendary Battle of the Bands and the Greek Show in the historic Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans was not a disappointment to anyone.
The sounds of Bayou Classic has more to do than just the music it is a family competition that brings the State of Louisiana together. The crowd loved the special guests, Lil Wayne, Ray-J, Brandy, and the vibe of the Bayou Classic.
Grambling State University head drum major Jalen Hawkins had nothing but good things to say about this year’s competition. “We did amazing and out of the five years I have been there this was the best one. It was something about it.”
Coming down to start the Bayou Classic off, the Southern University fans out crowded the Grambling fans in the Superdome but both sides showed up and sold out the event. The Superdome was cut in half and filled with over 20,000 people.
The step show had the crowd rocking with performances from sororities and fraternities from Grambling and Southern, including the winners, Alpha Kappa Alpha from Grambling and Southern winners Kappa Alpha Psi. Both groups received a $3,000 check. “It was our first time stepping at the Bayou Classic so we had a great experience,” said Jalexi Heard, an accounting major from Winnsboro, Louisiana.
We couldn’t forget to support our troops and a nice attractive performance from Sheen Magazine. The troops showed respect by singing the U.S. national anthem and recognizing our troops overseas.
The Battle of the Bands was competitive with the usual sense of family competition. Southern, also known as the Human Juke Box, came to compete with a nice outgoing performance of Adele’s No.1 “Hello”.
Both Bands played Hotline Bling and their national anthem that the crowd moved liked them both.
Grambling shocked the crowd with a “Wade in the Water” Negro spiritual, and great performance overall.
“It was my first Battle of the Bands event,” said GSU band announcer Leon Thomas. “Grambling looked better and had more of a professional look and had a nice melodic sound,” said the man known to most Gramblinites as “L.T.”, who is a Grambling native.
“Grambling did better than Southern you could hear them louder and clearer, I had a great time, says the Grambling” baseball player Andres Castillo
They also were shocked to see that celebrities Lil Wayne who has a mixtape that was released the day before the Battle of the Bands.
Music artists Brandy and Mannie Fresh were sitting up front with no security after the show. It’s easy to say that the celebrities felt very comfortable and felt the love of the fans.
Everyone had a great time it was a good to see a love over the city in the Superdome and after the event.
“I loved the Battle of the Bands and I think that Grambling won,” said Dr. Andre Perry, the consultant of Davenport University. He enjoyed the Greek show though, saying, “I prefer the Alphas” who were not in attendance.
Despite being a competition, the spirit of the event is always the same.
“It is a cultural experience every time,” Dr. Perry said.