JSU Sonic Boom joins MICHAEL CELEBRATES campaign
JACKSON — Jackson State University’s marching band, the Sonic Boom of the South, performed Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” as part of the national campaign “MICHAEL CELEBRATES: Legacy, Artistry, Culture,” the university said Thursday.
Jackson State interim president Denise Jones Gregory said featuring the Sonic Boom in the campaign reflects the excellence, discipline and tradition that define Jackson State and historically Black colleges and universities. The performance coincides with Black History Month and the worldwide theatrical release of the film “MICHAEL,” due April 24, 2026.
The Sonic Boom, which the university has celebrated as the “summa cum laude of bands,” has performed nationally and at major events. Desi Jenkins, a senior music education major and lead drum major, said performing Michael Jackson selections has been central to her student experience, calling the campaign “extremely full-circle and everything greater than special.”
Band director Roderick Little said the opportunity carries special significance as the band and its students celebrate Jackson’s legacy. Briana McElroy, head of digital marketing for the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said the initiative honors the long relationship between HBCU band traditions and Jackson’s life and music.
The Sonic Boom’s performance appears on Jackson State and “MICHAEL” movie social channels. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
