Marching 100 gets special red carpet screening of Michael Jackson biopic

Actor Larenz Tate

The FAMU Marching 100 were treated to a special red carpet screening, Monday, of “Michael,” the upcoming biopic about Michael Jackson, at the AMC theater in Tallahassee, in a celebration that fused the legacy of the King of Pop with the living tradition of one of the nation’s most iconic marching bands. The event was a tribute to the band’s own viral homage to Jackson, a performance that caught the eye of the film’s producers and underscored the enduring, cross-generational power of his music. 

“I grew up in the ’80s, so I know about MJ, and his family, and ‘Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,’ and ‘Thriller,’” said Shelby Chipman, Ph.D., the director of bands, standing near the theater entrance. “Our kids are super geeked up. They did a great job on our promo video that went viral throughout the world. And hey, we’re here now to celebrate Michael in a way that only FAMU and the Rattlers and the incomparable Marching 100 can do.”

The evening was more than a movie preview; it was a cultural moment that placed FAMU and its students at the center of a major studio’s marketing campaign. It was a recognition of the band’s artistry and its role in introducing Jackson’s complex legacy to a new generation.

Adding to the glamour was the actor Larenz Tate, who portrays Motown Records founder Berry Gordy in the film. He walked the carpet alongside the students, praising their dedication and the symbiotic relationship between the film and the band’s performance.

“It’s been great to be able to see the FAMU marching band do what they have done — their creativity to relive and recreate Michael’s music,” Mr. Tate said. “I’m sure he would be very proud. The dedication, the commitment, the partnership that we’ve been able to have with them has been really extraordinary.”

For the students, the event was a validation of years of practice and a highlight of their collegiate careers. It was also a rare instance of national recognition for an HBCU’s cultural contributions.

“A lot of HBCUs and just the Black community don’t get a lot of recognition in some events,” said Ckrystian Dominique, a member of the band’s percussion section. “Something as big as the ‘Michael’ movie, just being able to showcase HBCUs like FAMU is just amazing.”

The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew, in the lead role, is described as a sweeping portrayal of Jackson’s life, from his childhood stardom to his status as a global pop phenomenon. Its choice to host a premiere event in the Florida capital, far from the usual media hubs, signals a deliberate effort to connect the artist’s story with the grassroots communities that keep his music alive.

Band members spoke of the profound personal connection they felt, linking their family histories with the university to the universal language of Jackson’s catalog.

“I really feel blessed to have this privilege,” one student said, noting that her family has a strong lineage at FAMU. “Them seeing me on the screen or seeing me in that video, it means a lot to our family. It means a lot to me and my peers.”

Another called the experience “electrifying,” adding, “We’re always making history. So to finally be a part of some history that I know is going to go down in the books for sure.”

The event served as a powerful nod to the band’s promotional work for the film, which included a specially recorded performance that spread rapidly across social media. It highlighted how Jackson’s music, with its intricate rhythms and theatrical flair, is a natural fit for the precise, high-energy style of an HBCU marching band.

As the students filed into the theater, the red carpet was rolled up. But the echo of the event — a fusion of cinematic history and musical tradition, of Hollywood glamour and Tallahassee pride — lingered, a testament to the unending rhythm of a legacy that continues to inspire. “Michael” opens in theaters nationwide on April 24.