By Farzaan Askari
HBCU Band Students Share their experience on making it to Coachella with Travis Scott
Back in February 2025, Travis Scott did a post on his X account asking for a band from any college or a HBCU that stands to take the horn arrangement for his 5th Billboard #1 single ‘4X4’ at Coachella 2025.
Just like he said, he took Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South, Florida A&M University’s The Marching 100 and Carolina Crown with him to Coachella 2025!
Below are some of the experiences shared by students who were part of HBCU Bands.
[Band’s photo by rayscorruptedmind on Instagram]
“Coachella was a once in a lifetime experience!! When they first told us we were flying to Arizona and then LA I didn’t even know what to expect. Even down to meshing with 2 other programs and collaborating with them. FAMU and Carolina Crown was very nice and welcoming to us. Mellos on top!! In Arizona we practiced in a private location for hours and hours getting the show right. Once we got to LA we were running the show and just seeing how warming and welcoming Travis Scott was, it was the best part about the whole trip. When the choreographer told me I was going to be in the front I got super excited and knew I had to put on a show!!! This was just an overall great experience and I’m humbled and grateful that Travis and his team picked my school!”
~ Kai from Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South Band (@_imjustkai on Instagram.)
“It was an incredible experience getting to perform with Travis at both the shows and we performed with students from Florida A&M and Carolina Crown as well! We practiced for three weekends just getting accustomed to the show and also practicing the music. The first show we experienced a few challenges with production but nonetheless it was still an enjoyable experience and the second show production team listened to our concerns and it was a movie! We got to actually talk to Travis as well and we even got to take a photo with him! Through this experience it gave me the opportunity to network with the members of other bands and now we have lifelong memories and relationships which I appreciate! The Sonic Boom of the South is an amazing band and know that we will have even more opportunities and blessings to come our way!”
~ Beth Johnson from Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South Band (@bjdarealest21.__ on Instagram.)
[Sonic Boom OTS photo with Travis Scott]
“Coachella was probably one of the biggest opportunities I’ve had in my life. I thank Jesus for the opportunity to be in a space with other great musicians and creatives, the experience was absolutely incredible, Travis was so dope, he’s a performer, a perfectionist and he wanted everything to be right to present it in the best possible way he could to his fans, it was inspiring to watch him work and the passion he has for his art. I’m beyond blessed to be chosen and a huge thank you and much love to my section leader and assistant section leaders for shaping me and helping me mold into a better musician and caring for me!”
~ Anyla Danielle from The Marching 100 Band (@anyladanielle on Instagram.)
[The Marching 100 Band photo with Travis Scott]
The bands performed both the weeks at Coachella with Travis Scott. Not only performed, they made history. Matt Harloff, the conductor of the band said in his Instagram post “Heading home after this awesome Coachella experience. So lucky to have been asked to be a part of this project, lucky to meet so many great people & so lucky to be able to say… “that really happened.” Thank you @travisscott… YOU are the greatest of all time!!!!”
[Matt Harloff’s photo with Travis Scott]