Drumline Battle: Million Dollar Funk Squad VS Cold Steel 2016

[@kamranshabazz6259]

I want to see a 3 way battle between NSU, NC A&T, and BCU.

[@philfoggs5357]

I don't know who's teaching at Norfolk, but as an old drum corps guy....DAMN! that was very nice! Great book with nice physical demand. The few errors i caught were small and recovery quick and precise. The bassline in the second solo, one word STUNNING!! Between the two lines (imho) as a player and a bit of a tech. Norfolk was much cleaner and tighter with smoother transitions and great ensemble performance. Make the difficult look easy and the easy look hard, hallmark of a great line. You Brothers got it on lock!

[@talexwebb]

I was honored to play in MDFS in the early 90's. It's still about musicality, cleanness, and precision. Mediocrity is not an option, only excellence!

[@luigiprovencher]

Can you still play,though?

[@talexwebb]

Luigi Provencher yes I can.

[@silversurfer8935]

You sir, are a legend

[@HEZEKYHWH]

What hurt Cold Steel was the tuning. They so deep that the volume and balance isnt there.

[@quinceyjarmon3629]

Bethea is STILL running it at Norfolk State! MDFS for the absolute win. That snare line is clean, the bass runs are fantastic, and they are just crispy as a unit. If I didn't go to UNT, I would've DEFINITELY gone there.

[@martin1972win]

It was raining heavily that evening, and they still performed outstandingly..... Wow, that was commitment....

[@ganymeade5151]

When the Drum Lines are really tight, they play like the wind; a force of nature.

[@hesrealclose1599]

The MDFS bass line cadence was nice. The MDFS snares were tight. Good job by both drum lines.

[@rubengonzalez5155]

This is worth 30000 fans on the stands. I would pay to watch it. Open it to the public.

[@niiabladeyotu5514]

MDFS killed it! Not even close.

[@GEdwards412]

Being an MD Fan for 12 years now I came into this video with an open mind. I saw the update on my phone that this video had been uploaded. I expected to see a few upgrades from Cold Steel from last year's battle. I thought the fact that they got a chance to play a second cadence this year would at least give them an edge. NCA&T has the flash. The snares have chops. Their percussion section is good, but they are NOT MDFS. I'm sorry but after MD came out with the bass drums and played a Hurricane Matthew water wet bass drum solo piece and Cold Steel responded with something that sounded like it was taken from the A&T drumline from the movie Drumline... Cold Steel... here's your L... Till next year???

[@marshallwinston9938]

They clearly didn't copy the cadences from the movie drumline. Norfolk's basses are carrying their entire drumline. Quints are average and snares are doing different sticking and are noticeably dirty at some parts.

[@GEdwards412]

Like I said Cold Steel responded with something that SOUNDED like it was taken from the A&T drumline from the movie Drumline AFTER MD gave them a lesson in Bass Line Tonals 101. Never said that it was directly ripped from the movie... As for your critique of the rest of the sections in MD, If you think that about MD what do you think about NCA&T? If you are a percussionist you cannot honestly say that NCA&T put on it's best performance? C'mon now. We gotta call a horse a horse. They got mopped because of what they chose to play.

[@michaelgraves7718]

Snares were not doing different stcking....that's how the cadence "Doo-Hickey" is written. MDFS snareline is easily one of the best in HBCUs so to say they are being "carried" is blasphemy. If you liked one line over the other no need to down the other line to prove your point ...lol.

[@bmoreed]

Can y'all talk English for us regular folks, we just know what sounds and looks good.We don't know what quints are or what tonal is about. I have seen these 2 before and it always seems the same to me. Steel always plays something funky but MDFS seems to do better with I guess technique. So which style wins?

[@Rosebrethem]

Tbh cold steel couldve done better they just didn't have the right material. Last years battle they Ncat took the W because they were prepared. this year not to much. They should've shot out some new material. Norfolk is NOT THE CLEANEST but they were more consistent. The bass line to me has great tone but the line doesn't play with clarity. Snares were clean for the most part but it got a little muddy. Overall mdfs took this W. keep working coldsteel yall got some real talented freshman too co20 is the year when coldsteel gone do major damage

[@jordandicapriophotography7136]

Spoiler: This comment is one-sided. If you close your eyes and just listen, this sounds like a battle between a really enthusiastic high school and a college. NSU really appreciates musicality in what they put out rather than just beating the shit out of their drums. 90% of the time NSU is playing, their snares sound like 1 player, where the opposite is true for A&T. I'm not gonna say that everything was 100% clean from NSU's side (clicks during the bass solo, tenor solo, etc) but damn was that one-sided.

[@shadowballgaming351]

NSU doesn’t March Tenors Quints yes not Tenors smh

[@amparrangements426]

@@shadowballgaming351quads, quints, and sixes are all multi-tenors, so yes they are tenors lol

[@kershiffreeman308]

MD.. is easily the cleanest drum line I have ever seen PERIOD.. in the entire Hbcu.. Idk how long they have been playing these cadences.. but I can watch them play these same ones over and over again, if it's going to be that clean... And might I add with little effort.. and that high school sticking a&t was doing... SMH... y'all supposed to be the premier.. and I swear I saw Nick Cannon on the snare line.. FOH..

[@patriciabaker4192]

Yes M$FS won that battle fo sho. I was right over them in the stands. The other way you know they won is because Cold Steel crossed that line mad.....you know what happens when you cross the line.

[@LifeWithNateDawg]

MDFS Murdered it Sheesh 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jenray94]

Precision and crispness is everything. Sometimes having too many of one thing can be a hinderance rather than a help!

[@jasonchavez7749]

MDFS wins hands down...on cleanliness alone...line is solid

[@karenschuler3718]

MDFS KILLED IT! They were clean and they sound like one line.

[@silverdollar1121]

Nsu basses killing it like always 🔥

[@taylorgrimes5375]

Cold Steel definitely lost MDF$ had so much more precision

[@abenzz5350]

i give this one to mdfs baseline itself. Thats all they needed!

[@buddah389]

loved loved loved what I saw... When you are drumming there is no greater high. I heard some great notes on both sides and I loved MDFS tribute to old school 80's 90's snare drumming. In the end the people who got to experience this live are the real winners and I hope these two squads keep pushing each other to be even more innovative. Keep pushing the culture forward gents!

[@NKLnDime]

Oh ohhhh! I immensely enjoyed this battle and I ain't tryna start nothin'. But The Steel got Funked by the Squad! Their routines and cadences were impressive and tight! I love all the HBCU bands. ALL OF YOU keep up the good work of GREAT ENTERTAINMENT and fine musicianship! Signed: A band head since way way back 😃😃!

[@allanw.gackstetter7969]

Worked with many drum 🥁 lines…. Yes Both are amazing!!!

[@TheDizfunkshunal1]

In my unbiased opinion I honestly have to give the win to THE MILLION DOLLAR FUNK SQUAD from the NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY MARCHING SPARTAN LEGION. COLD STEEL performed their style of play but clearly by the looks on their faces knew they had been defeated. I guarantee that they will incorporate a lot of what they saw tonight in their future battles. They came with some funk but MD was too damn technical for dat @$$!!!

[@hyperdriven08]

MDF$ - Clean!!! Great Sound from Drums!!! Cold Steel - Funky

[@ptoyman]

SPARTANS!!!!

[@1mikeburns]

yo they both are beast bands..both good sticking and cleaness..funk from CS..funk and technicality from MD

[@drummerboi15208]

NSU was way cleaner... I don’t think you can get any cleaner than that...

[@melvindurden2299]

just face it md was cleaner back then and they still are cold hills just have more visuals witch are dirty look I'm a mdfs person that's all I hear anything ells can go to another ear cause mine is toking md all day baby p.s frank u a beast got to meet u and watch u play what your doing with the line is amazing wish I hade a way to join the line

[@OnlyOneWayIn]

Million Dollar Funk Squad I totally love y'all...that drum line is so clean, precise and EXCELlent!

[@tttt13222]

Even though I thought MD took this. That last Cadence from Cold Steel was funky as hell.

[@wzupbabyy]

I totally agree that other school was getting them.. but that last Cadence by Cold still was fire!!!!!

[@KristianRuffin]

Norfolk started out pissy clean .. thats how you land a first punch

[@BigSi-xw6wv]

MD is like nothing i've ever seen Cold Steels secong go was fire too but Md got it in my opinion

[@ganymeade5151]

Bad-assed bands; no half-steppin here.

[@World-Wide-Will]

NSU Got Eeem... snare line is On Point #crispyaf

[@GodzWarriah]

Million Dollar Won!!

[@Legac_jones3]

Mdfs’s Bassline is literally untouchable

[@poopawmcgraw1566]

I think and have thought for years, that the Billion Dolla Basses are the most "L" proof section/subsection entity in the HBCU band world.

[@jameswbigrully1173]

Their drum line is awesome.

[@goldblooded3392]

What kind bass drum heads , M$fs using.?

[@392shaundo]

They clear power max 2s with muffling inside

[@GABEBRETREL]

MDF$ for the win

[@jarioussmith6387]

MD for the win

[@JxsperTh33Goat]

MDFS clearly got the W. Glad they were cleaner in this battle than the other recent videos I've seen

[@jambey9792]

To be honest Spartans plays way better and cleaner.. Cold steel is amazing as well but clearly I’m sure they know they lost this one. Even at the end the snares sounded really dirty like sneakers in a dryer. Maybe that’s why they don’t tune their snares up high to try to hide the dirt.. But much love to all BHCUs for such amazing bands and lines!!

[@aggiemanwb]

Funk squad got them on this one

[@sweetnupe2008]

MDFS snares are cleannnnn!!!

[@jurneemontgomery9465]

im in love with million dollars bass drum splits😍

[@korenlee]

Good one. But Mdfs snares clean af.

[@tamyrajones9566]

MD! #SpartanLegion #BeholdtheGreenandGold💚💛

[@warrenswan5842]

I'm a Cold Steel fan, but damn if they didn't get a serious run for the money. I'm pleasantly surprised, and DAMN sure glad neither one played northern style. I hate to see bands or lines play damn near in one position, no soul, no individuality, all technical precision over the enjoyment of making a show. DCI is good precision wise, but if I was young enough to play for either of these two bands, or lines, or go to DCI.....where do I sign up for either one of these two?

[@caldwellhancock8763]

Fabulous talent, wonderful show. Thanks Nashville, TN

[@andrewology1]

Ehhh?? WTH happened to my Coldsteel??? Too many Tenors, Too Many Snares, did they even tune the bass drums? Syncopation forget about it there was none, and the moves are gone too? I would have given A&T a pass if they were moving but they did nothing... NSU got that one sorry to say. The left side was doing its own thing, the middle was doing its own thing, the right was doing its own thing, too many tenors. Im done

[@ajproducedit8946]

The tenors should not be that abundant

[@derrickharrisjr8472]

Man you are tripping Blue Steel gave them the business. MD’s precision was great, but A&T gave me what I’m use to.

[@dr.d-i-t9227]

Since the past decade or so, they've evolved from the original Cold Steel. They still keep the foundation, but they've updated their cadence book. Sometimes I wish I heard the old school numbers from '99, but I also appreciate how they have evolved with our craft.

[@antoinobrown2869]

MD took it smh at A&T why always during a block yall play show cadences.

[@travischina5041]

757 MDFS fan, but mannn, I got love for that Cold Steel, too.

[@JESUSISLORDFOREVERMORE888]

SPARTANS.....alllllll the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!L WOW!

[@BigCTalks]

At 7:44 it look like NCAT holding up SCSU BBI sign👀

[@humbleq6892]

It surely does!

[@linda1stimp]

Too much A&T not enough Spartans on this one! NSU FOR THE WIN

[@BigCTalks]

“DAMN EASY”!!!

[@marckoolie]

Y'all aren't gonna show the second part of the battle? Come onnnnnnnnnn now!!!

[@georgehunt7891]

what 2nd part?

[@georgehunt7891]

MDFS nor CS were fighting. Please get your facts straight. Also why would a university put a fight on social media? There is alot of negative stuff on the internet about our people. We don't need to add to it.

[@AKINGSKYD]

marshall Winston jeez man....what video were you watching not ONE person from MD threw a blow. Quit reaching fam. And I've seen all footage.

[@georgehunt7891]

Right he is reaching!!

[@xxemoxxdarlingxx]

I'm pretty sure it was none of the members of MDFS or Cold Steel. If you really saw the live footage, you'd know that.

[@ezrar9715]

NSU chopped that ass up

[@ROLLIN-DUB]

NASTY!!!!!

[@OndrausCissell]

MDFS won.

[@PAPADUCKYT]

ncat for the win

[@muzakmajor1585]

NSU wins

[@jaaydripalot9549]

Ohh so this where swd stealing cadences from

[@derrickd8708]

DAMN Easy!

[@thenyne2fivers740]

beats hbcu bassline every year

[@terryfunk5490]

A&T was not as clean as MD

[@7LAMPSofFIRE]

There Is No Clear Winner Between NSU and NC A&T. They Both Are Very Talented. However, The Bass Is Very Prudent In NSU. Black Folks Love Bass. The Power of Bass, The Vibration of The Bass. It's The Very Thing That Causes All Rhythm To Synchronize. This Is What Makes Us Dance: Get Up and Get Down While Taking It To The House. I Can Dance, Step, and Glide While Moving To The Side While Listening To NSU. NC A&T Felt Very Violent. Made Me Want To Pick Up a Brick and Bang It Too. I'm From Charlotte, NC.

[@ncfirefighter235]

NC A&T!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@itsvenises2520]

Cold steel 🔥

[@AUClay]

MDFS is NASTY! So is BC!

[@humbleq6892]

Cold steel took an L on this one.

[@georgejackson4555]

COLD STEEL!!!!

[@JN-fy4zt]

Sounds like noise or banging. No flow or an actual tune.

[@avery7417]

Both sides ..... technically proficient but BORING

[@darrylbryant499]

COLD STEEL!!!!!! any other comment is just hating

[@troyhinton3365]

MDFS all day they sound like one drum . Cold steel drums sound horrible and they all over the place

[@MartijnJordan]

son norfolk so poo to me imo