NSU Spartan Legion 2023 - HBCU AllStar BOTB Show

[@tlhbehold]

I am so proud of my students!!!! It’s a blessing to work with them daily!!!!!! Love y’all Legion Fam!!!!!

[@michaelmorris9696]

Drill looked amazing 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@TramaineGillus]

I usually don’t comment, but the trolling in the comments are enough for me to express my gratitude to the band directors, staff, and students for this performance. The staff and students worked incredibly hard this season and it shows. The band looked and sounded amazing. I was in Atlanta to support them this weekend, and as an NSU alumnus (2003) I can’t express how proud I am. Behold!

[@PatriciaBaker-p1x]

The Spartan Legion has always been the cream of the crop. I saw them in the ATL when they participated in the Honda Battle of the Band. They are great, unique, and comes as close to perfect as it gets

[@tinajohnson2000]

The BEST Band in the Land...you prove it with every performance. The legacy continues, you make us proud. Spartan Legion over everybody! #BEHOLD 🔰🔰🔰Co2000

[@WarriorDM4u]

entire show is just so swaggy. from the guards to the sound, the arrangements and formations..the unis and the song selections. everything fire

[@SaLee25]

Spectacular job Spartan Legion. Expected nothing less. But let’s take a moment and recognize those Spartan Guards. From the opening with the 16 count dance (Smoooooth) to the drill maneuvers in the center of the band, the flag feature with that high toss was 🔥. (Their poles big as crap) then they sealed the deal with that split during the dancer feature!!! These boyyyzzz made history this night. Definitely one of the highlights of the night. The crowd was going crazy for them. Great to see them displayed. Definitely enjoying this new era of Spartan Guards. They’ve always been a tight group. But this was top tier! Shout out the leadership over there. Definitely changing the game. New Orleans would definitely enjoy these guys!

[@koolkharisma5298]

They're a significant reason why the Legion is set apart from the other HBCU bands. They have evolved over the years. I remember in the 80's they mostly stood in attention in the field shows. In the 90's they started doing more twirling. Now I'm loving their routines synchronized with the Silkettes. Fantastic visuals.

[@paul1foreman]

There’s so many great elements to this show. I recognize something new every time I watch it. Truly entertaining and music to my ears. Outstanding Legion…😊❤

[@DanjaMowf]

Wow!! Proud to be a Spartan Legion Dizzy for life!!!

[@kelleeenos8535]

So Proud of this Band. They sound fantastic & My Baby is out there amongst these magnificent Musicians! Go Lexi!!! Go Spartans!! Behold the green & gold!!!

[@DivineKingMade]

Much love for stepping out of your comfort zone ! I honestly think this was the point of the show - to give the audience something different from the legion. I marched in 2000s, in which we played Earth Wind and Fire, Anita baker , Janet Jackson etc etc- it’s ok to not give the people what they would expect from us, So shots out to the 2023 legion !! And I hope y’all caught that Anita baker and troll from NCAT show smh - 20 years later they still hating lol

[@kandycejenkins6866]

The band did a SPECTACULAR job! The energy in the room was awesome. I’m a proud band mama!

[@troyquanharris303]

The intro go to hard nsu came out flexing with that sound 💪🏾

[@mbaku_3926]

Well Done NSU!!! The Spartans Represented the City and Hampton Roads VERY WELL!!! Their Look, Sound, Formations, Transitions, and Song Selection were On Point!!! That 8-hour drive was so Worth It to come and Support my Hometown!! NORFOLK STAND UP!!!!

[@cdaws8167]

They really ripped it, all of Jay-Z that they played, MDF$ was on point

[@Magnum5840]

Congratulations to the Norfolk State Spartan Legion Marching Band for being voted #1 Best HBCU Band 2023 in a fan poll taken by HBCU Buzz... BEHOLD THE GREEN & GOLD!!! 💚💛

[@uptdc2008]

They definitely aren't the best but ok lol

[@Magnum5840]

@@uptdc2008... What band would you have voted for?

[@uptdc2008]

@@Magnum5840 Well all the bands at the battle did great. But if I had go off creatively and how good the auxiliary dancers did. A&T took it!!

[@michaelsmith8947]

HBCU bands are like college degree levels.. Bachelor’s level….. life is a big party, and you are always turned “up”. Your not really worried so much about the technical aspect I.e …sound, presentation, and skill level Master’s level… you still turn up, but you are now more aware of the “technical”. You are now starting to to take the technical side more serious, while balancing partying” in you life. Phd Level.. This is The Spartan Legion, and a very few HBCU bands. These bands are “expert” on every level of “study” These bands are at another level. When in the same room with “undergrad’s and graduate level bands, the difference is like “night” and “day”. PhD level bands are what all “undergrad” and “graduate” level bands strive to become…

[@liquidlightz]

Great analogy. At some point other bands should aspire to be at the PhD level but this mindset has been part of the Legion DNA since 1975 under the tutelage of the founder of Legion the late, great Mr Emery Fears.

[@miikeejr._]

What an amazing show! I loved this whole show especially that beautiful part played at 6:45, finishing up “Dangerously in Love 2” by Beyoncé. Outstanding! 💚💛

[@tanyabrown8008]

I think this was great and with only 2 weeks of practice for it. Great work Legion! Haters gonna hate.

[@clarenceharris524]

Definitely one of the best performances I have seen , and I have seen a lot over 3 and 1/2 decades . Great Work !!!

[@jonathanjackson5386]

Another solid performance. Great camera work of MDFS at the 7:40 mark. I didn’t catch that exchange at the live performance.

[@jermainemouzon4909]

🧐nice to see the Spartan Guards up close

[@melfirst165]

Different show, but a very very good performance Spartan Legion. This video is on point.

[@levanstianbrown7549]

I wouldve preferred some stand battles along with some section battles instead of strictly field shows but once again NSU (repping the 757) did an exceptional job.

[@monicamakins]

Another fantastic performance especially after your epic Rosebowl Parade performance!

[@buttimjoeyofficial]

Honestly this audio does no justice for the entire band. But this performance was fantastic great footage.

[@jaikeraward7653]

Top tier performance ! I loved every bit!

[@coolgeorgiaboy]

Consistently sounding good every year...Respect ❤️

[@dantehall9554]

Nobody play slow songs like NSU

[@heavybear8107]

All Good !

[@rashadjones]

Solid show💪🏾

[@Djspiderluna]

Fantástico!!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@mfjaydawg]

LUH DA BANDDDD🔥🔥

[@DK-wj7mc]

Honestly I loved the show in person it sounded great but the video doesn’t do justice sounds like they tried to give the impact of the band but ended up making them sound thinner by bringing the sound of the darker pitched horns down I saw another video that had the raw sound and it shows

[@kyndal2769]

nah yall ate

[@alphaomega8373]

The first round Perfection!

[@ExceptionalLibra]

Media teams are on it.

[@jeromesimms7880]

Yessir

[@Lena-Holley]

Behold!🔰

[@i.n.c.fromthetopropes3465]

I see the biggest problem is it's Spartan Legion vs Spartan Legion. The Legion is clearly above being compared to other bands so all they can be compared to is their own previous performances. Thats a dumb high bar to reach show after show year after year. Is this the best show they have ever point on, well... there are 3 other shows from this season alone that could be ranked best Legion Ever, top 5. Was the show great? Yes. Was it their greatest? naw. If you paid attention the Spartan Legion is signing to Roc Nation so.....LOL I think we should call this show "The Carters" FromTheTopRopes

[@ToniFranchise]

Exactly! The Legion is in competition with themselves and no other program.

[@i.n.c.fromthetopropes3465]

Not to mention they had and have the best over all sound with precision... Do any bands march anymore? I mean 90s?

[@troystrong8041]

I agree…I said in another post that I was a little disappointed with this show…people took it as I was saying I did not like the show…i enjoyed the show but I’ve gone to another level with the Legion…their overall presentation is on such a higher level, I’ve gotten spoiled, thinking every show will top the other and that’s not realistic…fans should just sit back and enjoy and not expect earth shattering shows every time…being consistently good every time they perform should be the objective and that they do

[@patriciabaker4192]

First of all I am an alumnus of NSU. I marched in the Band which was named the Spartan Legion in 1975. We intentionally set ourselves apart from the rest. We represent Sparta and Virginia State represents Troy. We just also dress the part. Being different is how we broke the glass ceiling. We are so different that other bands often try to imitate us, but they never can duplicate us.

[@devinsbt]

Song at 7:35

[@janaebattle8090]

4:37 that arrangement is actually nice 😍😍🔥🔥🔥 the only issue with this performance is they should’ve stuck with traditional marching and a better drill engage with the crowd and not just stand there because the arrangements were nice just not a great execution also whoever showcased this show did a poor job because who is driving 8 hours to Atlanta just to see a field show 🙄 they should’ve let the bands battle and engage with them more nobody cares that much about field shows we the people wanted to see solo selections/battles and stand battles every time nsu and other meac bands get invited they always limit them because I’m sure nsu wanted to do more but the timing was awful and other things this whole show felt rushed smh

[@liquidlightz]

Contrary to popular belief but not everybody wants to hear a bunch of loud rap tunes in the stands in which every single band sounds the same. The sad part about your statement is that focusing mainly on stand battles is the reason why many band's halftime shows suck. There is a reason why the Legion was voted to have the #1 and #3 halftime shows for the 2022-23 season because they focus on the MARCHING part of marching band. Stands, while part of the band experience, should be secondary.

[@janaebattle8090]

@@liquidlightz You kinda missed my point this whole showcase was boring because they rushed the bands and didn’t give them time to fully show their potential we don’t want to just see field shows people atleast wanted to see some drumline features solo selections and stand battles like they did with the other battle of the bands the truth is when it comes to meac bands they limit them I’ve noticed that but when talladega or asu or southern plays they can do both field shows and stand battles and it’s entertaining but as soon as NSU is invited somewhere I noticed it seems limited like they can barely battle or do anything at the NBOTb we wanted to atleast see SU Vs NSU and that never happened so many things could’ve been done that wasn’t I love NSU but I have to be truthful here this showcase was trash they limit the bands to much 🙄🤷🏽‍♀️

[@janaebattle8090]

@@liquidlightz And the fact that you said not everyone wants to hear stand battles proves my point that someone does wants to hear it the point is versatility entertain in every aspect give field shows to those that want to see and stand battles to others that want to see but the people who hosted this didn’t give them that opportunity I just don’t like what I see from these band host smh but I hope nsu continues to improve by next year

[@liquidlightz]

@@janaebattle8090 some people do and some people don't. It doesn't prove a point. I know several people who said that they wouldn't attend it there were stand battles. If all people wanted to hear was stand tunes then they can hear that during pep band season. And based on the fact that one band had two shows place in the best of the year and that the same band was named band of the year by ESPNs The Undefeated (in which they critiqued the field shows and not stand battles) the season prior proves my point that bands are focused more on stands than field shows. Not knowing your place in the drill and walking off the field and then later blasting in the stands, crooked lines and barely lifting your legs does not a GREAT band program make.

[@janaebattle8090]

@@liquidlightz I still stand on my point this was a trash showcase period because they were limited and the show was too quick and nsu didn’t perform to their full potential I’ve seen better from them other fans said otherwise also because TSU won this battle to me their could’ve been more there’s no way I’m driving to Atl just for a field show and boom everyone goes home they could’ve done more and the people wanted to see stand battles also that’s the purpose of a botb so the bands can actually battle I like the field show thing but I also wanted to see nsu and asu go at it or something this whole thing was boring and I’m standing by it 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@kareemjohnson4128]

Uhhh. Nah 😂 I’m a fan but this ain’t Norfolk

[@conn3692]

This is your third time commenting, a lot of times for someone who doesn’t like the show.

[@musician833]

@@conn3692 right 😂

[@winwithin]

Wasn’t a terrible show. Wasn’t a great show. Kinda in the middle. Some weird parts in there. I guess it’s hard to maintain when this is most you’ve ever been seen. Some of the segments was down right bad. Hot ice and the break my soul were really bad.

[@melfirst165]

You just hating on these kids. You personally don't have to like the show, but to say what you have is totally wrong.

[@spartanmania2986]

Who’s idea was this? Seriously. This was boring. Sound is still decent. But very boring show. Song selection was disappointing and hot I’ve ALWAYS picks thee worst songs to dance to. Like what.

[@matthewmacanhay7720]

Maybe they’re tired from the long season they’ve had. But this was the worst show I’ve seen from this in a while. This is a Spartan legion show. Don’t stray too far away from your roots. Some muddy arrangements in there. I did like the intro and the dance routine. The rest of this show was REALLY BORING.

[@musician833]

It wasn’t the worst show you’ve seen you’re just anti-change. Its 2023 you’re not gonna get the same formatted Legion show that you got a decade ago. You’re still getting the intensity and for sure getting the musicality….

[@liquidlightz]

LOL you really don't know the Legion's roots because what they did in this video is some of the same things the Legion's of the 70s and 80s would've done. THOSE are the Legion's roots.

[@seyqyanabrams4333]

Not feeling this one at all. Bland arrangements. No intensity. Not the Norfolk we’ve been seeing. This one is on the directors. They definitely failed the kids putting this together. You can sense when a band does not want to play certain things.

[@jonathanjackson5386]

Wow “Bland” arrangements, really?? What are you using to listen to the performance? Check your speakers. It was very technical and the tone was good. The Spartan Legion didn’t disappoint.