During rehearsal at Bragg Stadium on Wednesday, members of Florida A&M University’s Marching 100 were surprised when Atlanta recording artist, Young Thug, announced that the Marching 100 won the “‘Hot’ Battle of the Bands Challenge,” 

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A post shared by FAMU's Marching "100" Band (@themarching100)

The “‘Hot’ Battle of the Bands Challenge,” was a digital campaign announced last fall by Young Thug, YSL Records, and 300 ENT. The challenge invited all historically black colleges and university marching bands to produce a short video for social media, showcasing their school spirit and talent with their best rendition of “Hot”, a song recorded by Young Thug and Gunna produced by Wheezy featured on Young Thug’s 2019 “So Much Fun” album.

The deadline for entries was Dec. 1.

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A post shared by Kevin Liles (@kevinlileskwl)

The win means FAMU’s music department and band program will receive a $25,000 donation from Young Thug’s record label, Young Stoner Life Records, and from Kevin Liles. 

Kevin Liles, co-founder and CEO of 300 Entertainment, flew to Tallahassee to make the presentation.

“On behalf of YSL (Young Stoner Life) and 300 Entertainment, congratulations to all #HotHBCUChallenge participants. Your creativity is inspiring, and to FAMU, continue to make us proud as you are the official winners of the Challenge,” Liles said in a prepared statement.

“Our support of the HBCU creative community will never waver. They are our future leaders, engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, and we recognize the importance of a collaborative environment that understands their social DNA, while at the same time challenges them to dream bigger, work harder and focus on what really matters.”

Liles, who attended Morgan State University in Baltimore on a NASA electrical engineering scholarship, added, “Education is power, entrepreneurship is key, and ownership should be our driving force.”

“On behalf of FAMU’s ‘Marching 100’ band, I’d like to thank Young Thug and Kevin Liles for an outstanding initiative with the HBCU Hot Challenge and the members of Marching 100, who had an absolutely fantastic time designing our formation and the music arrangement by Lindsey Sargent,” Shelby Chipman, director of bands at FAMU, said in a statement.

“We will be eternally grateful to Young Thug, Kevin Liles, and anyone associated for providing HBCUs an opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity. We’re even more excited about the same opportunity to use the award towards band operations, scholarships, and initiatives that will allow us to move the FAMU Marching 100 forward.”

Florida A&M University’s Marching 100 competes in the Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase this Saturday in Atlanta.