2023 Pepsi National Battle of Bands
Houston, TX - The 2023 National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) once again captivated audiences at NRG Stadium, showcasing the spirited and passionate performances of eight of the best Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) marching bands. Thousands of fans from across the nation filled the stands and celebrated HBCU culture and pride.
Since its start in 2019, the NBOTB event has served as the nation’s kick-off to the fall marching band season. This annual event hosted by the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA), in partnership with Webber Marketing, serves as a yearly celebration of arts, education, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) culture. 2023 marked a special occasion for the NBOTB as it honored the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. To celebrate hip-hop’s golden anniversary, the NBOTB event organizers introduced a star-studded line-up of performers who showcased their talent throughout the evening. The line-up spotlighted seven hip-hop legends, including Doug E. Fresh, aka “Human Beat Box”, Slim Thug, Choppa, Z-Ro, DJ Mr. Rogers, and Big Boi.
“The NBOTB is an annual opportunity to celebrate HBCU culture within the region, all while creating change through scholarship opportunities, community initiatives, and educational programming,” said Harris County – Houston Sports Authority Vice President Chris Massey. “2023 was the best year yet for the NBOTB with outstanding attendance, scholarships, and youth participation. We look forward to continuing to grow the event and can’t wait to see how the NBOTB continues to evolve in the years to come.”
As the NBOTB event has grown, so have the opportunities provided to local students. This year, local area youth were provided with over 6,000 tickets to attend the HBCU S.T.E.M. College Recruitment Fair and the NBOTB event. Students in attendance were able to talk to representatives from over 35 universities, some even receiving on-the-spot scholarship and acceptance offers. The event’s history also boasts over $700,000 in scholarships donated to support educational and cultural initiatives.
As one of the most diverse cities in the nation, Houston is the perfect home for this yearly celebration of HBCU culture and passion. Along with providing a platform to celebrate culture, arts, and educational opportunities within the city, the NBOTB also makes it a point to support the local economy and minority-owned businesses. Since the start, the NBOTB has helped provide revenue for minority-owned companies in Houston by contracting with them for various products and services and will continue to do so moving forward.
