COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Battle of the Bands took place at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium near the Benedict College campus. Bands from nine historically Black colleges and universities competed, including Benedict College and South Carolina State.

“This is just against other bands, so everybody's trying to outdo one another,” said R.J. Farmer, drum major for South Carolina State.

The stadium was filled with thousands of fans from across the Southeast, many of whom were there to see their schools' pride on display.

“You never know what can happen, but we the one-on-one," Farmer said. "We are the show. People came to see us."

Local leaders, including Representative Hamilton Grant, a South Carolina State alumnus and former drum major at the school, gave welcome remarks.

Grant described it as a "

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