Jackson State marching band plays at Super Bowl 58 halftime show alongside Usher, Alicia Keys
The South made an appearance out West for the 2024 Super Bowl, with Jackson State showing out at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium during halftime between the Chiefs and 49ers.
The performance — headlined by Usher and featuring several other Black performers such as Alicia Keys, Lil Jon, Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri, and H.E.R. — was underscored by the Jackson State marching band Sonic Boom of the South, making Jackson State the latest HBCU band to play a Super Bowl halftime show.
HBCU marching bands have a long history of playing during the Super Bowl, which always falls within Black History Month. Grambling State has played six Super Bowls, Florida A&M has made appearances, and Southern University has played in the Superdome twice. Usher has shared a stage with an HBCU band during the Super Bowl before, when he was a guest performer for the Black Eyed Peas alongside Prairie View A&M's band.
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Social media reactions to Jackson State Super Bowl halftime show
Fans were elated to see the Sonic Boom of the South take the field alongside Usher and his slew of guests.
The @SonicBoomOTS has been booked and busy! In case you missed it, Jackson State University's Sonic Boom of the South just performed at the @SuperBowl Halftime Show featuring @Usher! #SBLVIII #SuperBowl2024 pic.twitter.com/FTIrdo3Edx
— Jackson State U. (@JacksonStateU) February 12, 2024
Props to Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South!!!!!
— Rod Walker (@RodWalkerNola) February 12, 2024
Usher, Alicia Keys, H.E.R, Ludacris, lil Jon, Jackson State Sonic Boom, the damn Nupes….
That was a Black ass History Month halfime show! 😂— Booker G. Washington (@TendentiousG) February 12, 2024
Our Jackson State alumni here in Charlotte are so proud of our Sonic Boom of The South performing with Usher during the Super Bowl halftime show!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8f2R0P6R5e
— JSUNAA - Metro Charlotte Chapter (@JSUNAAMCC) February 12, 2024
𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏: tonight, we got to play halftime of #SuperBowl 𝐋𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈. THANK YOU @Usher, @AppleMusic, and @RocNation for the opportunity to share the world’s largest stage with one of the most iconic performers of our time! This is a night we won’t forget. #LuvDaBoom ♟️ pic.twitter.com/HmTi2g8FPr
— Sonic Boom of the South (@SonicBoomOTS) February 12, 2024
Man! Talk about proud! ✊🏿😊 Super huge shoutout to Thee Best Band in the Land, Thee @SonicBoomOTS! Way to represent Jackson State University! Go Tigers! #THEEiLove pic.twitter.com/Tr5z0xCbwt
— KC-1400 Media 🐅 (@KC1400mg) February 12, 2024
So proud of my dear old college home’s band performing at the #SuperBowl #Halftime #Thee #Jackson #State #University #jsu #jacksonstate pic.twitter.com/3I7mpSEhRP
— Sheila Taylor Clark (@SoShaydee) February 12, 2024
Can y’all put some respect on The Jackson State University Band The Sonic Boom of the South Jackson, Ms #THEEILOVE 🤍💙 #SuperBowl #Usher #UsherBowl pic.twitter.com/PZeV0mruLv
— Salute_Dswagg (@Salute_DSwagg) February 12, 2024
Sonic Boom of the South is no stranger to the spotlight. It performed at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration Parade and several NFL games in the past. But this is a fine feather in the cap of one of the most celebrated bands in college football.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Look: Jackson State marching band plays at Super Bowl 58 halftime show