WWE’s Bianca Belair is the EST for good reason, as she walked out of the biggest pay-per-view of the year this weekend as the RAW Women’s Champion. However, she wasn’t the only star that evening.
Belair tapped Texas Southern University (TSU), a historically black college or university (HBCU), to accompany her during her second WrestleMania appearance.
TSU’s “Ocean of Souls,” performed Belair’s theme song, “Watch Me, Shine,” bringing the HBCU Experience to the WWE. The arrangement was composed by assistant director Trenton Hunter.
TSU provided Blavity with a statement stating that they were excited about their student’s opportunity.
“At Texas Southern University, we are always excited when our talented students get the opportunity to showcase their skills on a national platform. To represent our university on the biggest stage in professional wrestling was an honor for the Ocean of Soul, the TSU music department, and the entire university. The Ocean of Soul is an integral part of our university’s culture, as is the case on every HBCU campus. We are proud that our students got to put Texas Southern University and that aspect of HBCU culture on full display for wrestling fans around the world to see, hear, feel, and experience.”
HBCU Gameday reports that World Wrestling Entertainment contacted Ocean of Soul’s director of bands, Brian Simmons, while they were performing at the NCAA Tournament in Fort Worth.
HUGE shoutout to the Ocean of Soul Marching Band @TSUOceanOfSoul #HBCU
Whew! We did that!So happy we made this happen! This was special & a WHOLE VIBE!
Thank you @wwe for helping me highlight & bring a piece of my childhood & culture to the grandEST stage!#wrESTleMania pic.twitter.com/x5L8qpWSkJ
— Bianca Belair (@BiancaBelairWWE) April 3, 2022
“This was a great opportunity for the Ocean of Soul, but more importantly it was a great opportunity for TSU,” Simmons said. “Tens of thousands of people were in attendance, but millions more wrestling fans watched around the world. This performance was one more step in making TSU’s name known around the globe.”