Members of the Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon & White Band (MMW) are
fine-tuning their performance for the 2025 Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB), set to take place Saturday, February 1, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Since its inception in 2003, the Honda Battle of the Bands has become a premier stage for HBCU marching bands, celebrating their talent, pageantry, and tradition. This year marks a major milestone, as the event heads to the West Coast for the first time.
Adding to the excitement, entertainer and entrepreneur Nick Cannon will serve as the celebrity host, and Grammy-nominated artist GloRilla will close out the show with a highly anticipated performance.
For JaMichael Bridget, a junior communications media major from Mobile, Alabama, the journey to becoming head drum major of MMW began with a spark of inspiration from Nick Cannon’s performance in the movie “Drumline.”
“It all started with ‘Drumline,’” said Bridget. “I loved that movie. So my freshman year in high school I went to my band director and said ‘hey, I want to be drum major.’ He said ‘you’ve got to be in the band for at least a year,’ so he put me on sousaphone, and it took off from there. Since Nick Cannon is the host, it would be very cool to actually talk to him and take a picture with him.”
Bridget says the trip is also one that includes several personal firsts.
“I’ve never been on a plane, never even touched a plane,” he said. “Actually, getting a chance to fly is kind of nerve-wracking, but I’ve got people here who are going to help me out. It’s also very exciting. I really can’t wait!”
The MMW is one of six HBCU bands selected to perform through a combination of HBOB committee selections, fan voting and challenges. The Marching Maroon & White was invited after the band accepted the challenge of the North Carolina A&T State marching band.
The 2025 lineup also features Alabama State University, Hampton University, Southern University, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Bridget also credits AAMU Director of Bands Carlton Wright for shaping his path.
“I hadn’t really planned on coming to college to be in the band, but as I grew, I changed my mind,” he explains. “Mr. Wright came down to interview us and give us auditions at my high school in Mobile. At first, I wasn’t going to do it, and then I said, ‘Why not give it a try?’ Gave it a try, got a scholarship, and now I’m here, the head drum major.”
Bridget’s leadership journey has taken him to extraordinary heights, including performing with the MMW in the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2023, his first visit to New York City.
“My mom and dad are very proud of all I’ve accomplished,” Bridget says. “They enjoy all the festivities and places we go, and our performances. They enjoy actually getting to see me doing something on the big screen. They’re not going to fly out to LA, but I make sure to send them links to watch us live. I also send them videos and pictures.”
As he prepares for the Battle of the Bands, Bridget reflects on how far he’s come and looks forward to exploring Los Angeles.
“One thing I really want to see is the U.S. Bank Tower. It’s the second-tallest building in Los Angeles and its right in the middle of downtown. I also want to see the Hollywood sign!”
You can watch the MMW live on the Honda Battle of the Bands Livestream on Saturday, February 1 starting at 3:00 p.m. CST
