In celebration of Black Music Month, Kevin Olusola – singer, cellist, and beatboxer of the 3x-GRAMMY®-winning group Pentatonix – unveils “Hallelujah at Howard University,” a collaborative reimagining of Leonard Cohen’s classic featuring Howard University’s Showtime Marching Band and Concert Chorale. The single appears on the deluxe edition of his debut solo album, DAWN OF A MISFIT, available now via Sony Music Masterworks.

Filmed on the Howard University football field and directed by Emmy-winning professor Jami Ramberan, the music video channels the vibrance of HBCU performance culture. Shot by graduate students and rooted in campus collaboration, the video radiates artistry, pride, and the rich legacy of Howard University.

“The heart of my artist project is simply this: ‘Be Your Own Misfit.’ It’s about unapologetically standing in your truth—even when it means defying stereotypes and going against the grain of cultural expectations,” shares Kevin Olusola. “In much of mainstream media, Black identity is often narrowly portrayed through lenses of struggle or success only in certain spaces like sports or hip-hop. But my story—and the stories of many others—don’t fit that mold. I’ve found a different kind of success through classical music, beatboxing, and innovation, and I want to spotlight that narrative.

“That’s why I chose to collaborate with Howard University, the pinnacle of Black excellence. When I visited campus, I was deeply moved by the students’ brilliance, their individuality, and the diversity of their passions—from medicine to anime to engineering. These students, like me, didn’t conform to media narratives—they were misfits in the best sense. So, we came together to create something no one expects: a powerful fusion of classical and marching band traditions that celebrates Black freedom, joy, and authenticity. This collaboration with Howard’s Concert Chorale and Showtime Marching Band is not just about the music—it’s a declaration of identity, excellence, and liberation.”

“When Kevin and the Sony Music Team approached us about collaborating on his new release, we immediately said YES. This became a prime opportunity to be on the forefront and shift a current trend. Let’s focus on the music and its message. There has been growing visibility and most recently a national/international spotlight on HBCU bands highlighting the talent and rich cultural significance of our reach beyond just the campus. Howard University is always next level, and this Sony Music partnership demonstrates Howard’s tremendous networking and access to global industries, while creating impactful hands-on opportunities for our students and growing the next generation of innovative creative artists, thinkers and leaders,” says Denise Saunders Thompson, Assistant Dean for Administration for Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University. 

“HBCU bands continue their historical role of using their performances to voice resistance and reflect the struggles of the Black community, tackling contemporary issues through their music. They are also a space for exploring and celebrating diverse identities, blending modern sound, and uplifting the core essence of just being human.”

The track extends the album’s themes of spirituality, fatherhood, and identity, with Olusola blending classical music, pop, and beatboxing to challenge genre limits. “Hallelujah at Howard University” exemplifies his mission to center untold narratives within a genre-defying framework. Watch the video and stream “Hallelujah at Howard University” on Spotify.