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All the HBCU Marching Bands’ Renditions of Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’

Alcorn State University, FAMU, Alabama State and other HBCU marching bands are firing up Kendrick Lamar’s song of the year

We knew this was coming. From the moment Kendrick Lamar released “Not Like Us,” we had a feeling that the song would be a staple for HBCU marching bands across the country. We were right.

Now that football season is among us, that time has already come. Most famous HBCU marching bands in the country have already performed their rendition and there is sure to be more on the way. Here are some of our favorites so far.

Alabama State University

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin

The Mighty Marching Hornets are one of the more visible bands in the country. They have performed at events that millions have viewed. They were featured in “Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé” and also performed at the 2019 Rose Parade before the Rose Bowl.

Alabama State University

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin

The main dance line is known as “The Sensational Stingettes,” but they also have a dance line for only plus-size women called “The Honey-Beez.”

Alabama State University

Not only did the Mighty Marching Hornets perform a rendition of “Not Like Us,” they also did one for “Like That.”

Alcorn State University

Photo: Getty Images Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire

The “Sounds of Dyn-O-mite” (SOD) is the marching band for Alcorn State University in Mississippi. The name of the dance line is the “World Renowned Golden Girls.”

Alcorn State University

Photo: Getty Images Mark Gail/The The Washington Post

The dance line also refers to themselves as “The Mother of HBCU dance lines” since they are the first ones to be included with an HBCU marching band.

Alcorn State University

SOD started the 2024 season off strong with this awesome rendition of Lamar’s hit single. Wish we had a better angle of the dance line, but I’m sure they’ll have a more epic version of this during the football season.

Florida A&M University

Photo: Getty Images Don Juan Moore

Famously known as the “Marching 100,” this beloved HBCU marching band was founded in 1892. It’s performed in front of several presidents, including Bill Clinton’s presidential inauguration in 1993 and Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009.

Florida A&M University

Photo: Getty Images Don Juan Moore

“The Marching 100″ has performed at several other worldwide events, including the Super Bowl, the Summer Olympics, and even the Bicentennial Celebration of the French Revolution in 1989

Florida A&M University

FAMU brought heat with this performance, not only paying homage to Lamar’s hit single but also the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris that just ended.

Southern University

Photo: Getty Images Naville J. Oubre III/Southern University and A&M College

With maybe the coolest nickname for a marching band, “The Human Jukebox,” the Southern University has also performed at several huge events, including the Super Bowl halftime show six times.

Southern University

Photo: Getty Images Naville J. Oubre III/Southern University and A&M College

This renowned band has also been included in music videos for popular artists, most recently Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” in 2016.

Southern University

The horns are so important when doing a rendition of a song like this, but these horns feel the most prominent and pronounced compared to others on this list, and it’s awesome.

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