The selection of Jackson State carries a specific historical weight within the Michael Jackson fandom. The band’s lead drum majors are famously known as the “Jackson Five” (or J5), a title they have held for decades. This shared nomenclature makes the Sonic Boom the most aesthetically aligned partner for the biopic’s early-years narrative.
Lead Drum Major Desi Jenkins noted that the partnership feels “full-circle,” as the band has long incorporated Jackson’s precision and choreography into their field shows. In the official campaign video released today, the Sonic Boom emphasizes the “Power of the Boom”—the massive, brass-heavy wall of sound that mirrors the percussive energy of Michael’s stadium tours.
RELATED: Beyond the Smooth Criminal: A Personal Journey Through Michael Jackson’s ‘Moonwalker’
Table of Contents
The Technical Narrative: Passing the Baton
A subtle detail for those tracking the campaign’s visual continuity: at the conclusion of the FAMU “Marching 100” video (File 007), the drum major tosses a baton skyward. The Jackson State video opens with a drum major catching a baton before launching into the performance. This “passing of the torch” confirms that the initiative is a singular, connected story—a digital relay race celebrating Black collegiate excellence.
Cultural Foundations: Reclaiming the Yard
The “MICHAEL CELEBRATES” campaign is being overseen by Briana McElroy, Head of Digital Marketing at Lionsgate. By launching during Black History Month, the studio is grounding the $150M+ biopic (starring Jaafar Jackson) in the very institutions that have served as the custodians of Jackson’s performance DNA.
The involvement of the Sonic Boom ensures that the film’s promotion is not just reaching the audience, but honoring the culture that has kept Jackson’s music alive on the gridiron for fifty years.
The Archive Verdict
With Jackson State now officially in the fold, the MICHAEL biopic has secured the “Big Three” of HBCU band culture. This MJ Original stands as a record of a marketing shift where legacy is not sold, but celebrated through active, high-level performance.
“See our previous MJ Original: How FAMU’s Marching 100 Kicked Off the Biopic Era.”
Editor’s Note (Feb 26, 2026): As the MICHAEL CELEBRATES: Legacy, Artistry, Culture tour arrives in Jackson, Mississippi, Decked Out is tracking the campaign’s official expansion into the HBCU circuit. Following the confirmed participation of the Sonic Boom of the South in the Lionsgate-produced initiative, we are auditing the technical and cultural layers of the “Can You Feel It X MLK Remix” rollout. This report is part of our ongoing MJ Archive series documenting the 2026 biopic’s global impact.
Author Bio
Jael Rucker is the founder of Decked Out Magazine. She has previously worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.
![[THE FILES] 110: Tony Hawk’s Underground (2003)](https://deckedoutmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/tony_hawk_underground_hero_image.webp)
