Missy Elliott to host HBCU Band Battle in Virginia

Hip-hop icon Missy Elliott will host the ‘Missy Elliott Presents HBCU Band Battle’ on October 18 at Norfolk State University’s William ‘Dick Price’ Stadium in Virginia. The event features four prominent marching bands from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Norfolk State University’s ‘Spartan Legion’, Virginia State University’s ‘Trojan Explosion’, Elizabeth City State University’s ‘Sound of Class’, and Hampton University’s ‘Marching Force’.

The showcase is part of a larger celebration in Elliott’s home state, which includes the ‘Missy Elliott Innovation Summit’. This educational program is designed for college and high school students, focusing on the intersection of technology, music, education, entrepreneurship, and the future of creative work.

Elliott, the first female rapper inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, stated that the event aims to celebrate the energy and culture of HBCU bands while inspiring the next generation. The festivities follow previous honors in Virginia, including the establishment of ‘Missy Elliott Day’ in 2022.