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Tomorrow, the streets of Birmingham will be filled with with festive revelers, soulful sounds, and cheering fans as the city kicks off the largest historically black college and university (HBCU) football game in the country: The Magic City Classic.
The Classic action starts early with the McDonald's Magic City Classic Parade at 8am in downtown Birmingham. Hip-hop artist and DJ, D-Nice, born Derrick Jones, will serve as the parade's Grand Marshal and also the featured post-game entertainment.. Traditionally, the Grand Marshal also makes an appearance during the game's halftime show. The New York City native will be the head of a procession that includes the city's famed McDonald's float as well as dance teams and marching bands from across the state.
D-Nice's popularity has surged over the last year after launching the Instagram-based video party series Homeschool at Club Quarantine in an effort to uplift listeners, many of whom were stuck at home as a result of quarantine. Since his series launched, his music has exploded across the internet gaining him millions of social media followers and netting him several national awards in 2021 including Entertainer of the Year at the 52nd NAACP Image Awards and ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award. And now, Jones will continue his streak of DJ service as he leads tomorrow's march through downtown Birmingham. The parade is a rain-or-shine event and will be broadcast on Birmingham's Fox 6 News station, as well as Gray Television affiliates in Huntsville and Montgomery.
The game, which kicks off at 2:30pm, is an annual celebration of HBCU culture and marks a rivalry that has been ongoing since 1924. The battle between the schools has been held at the Birmingham's historic Legion Field since 1946 and will continue that tradition this year. For the last three years, Alabama A&M has bested ASU on the gridiron. Overall, Alabama A&M holds the edge against ASU with a record of 43–39–3 over the course of the 80-year feud.
According to Magic City Classic Director Perren King, the events surrounding the Classic bring nearly $23 million in economic impact to the city of Birmingham.