“If you lookin’ for me, I’ll be on the grind,” is a lyric from “Grinding All My Life” on Nipsey Hussle’s Victory Lap album. That mindset perfectly reflects the journey of Southern University’s Human Jukebox drum major, Demarcus J. Hill, who served during the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons. Kenneth Collins, Assistant Director of Bands, sums up Hill in one word: “resilient.” “He was overlooked more than a couple of times, but he stayed true to his character and morals and never held resentment toward anyone. In the end, the baton found its way where it needed to be.” His rise has been defined by his mentor and friend that he is patient, resilient, and maintains steady growth.
From humble beginnings in a small city to marching on the field with confidence and purpose, his story is not just about the uniform, it’s about commitment, earned opportunity, and the discipline required to show up every day prepared. Through band, academics, and personal challenges, he embodies what it means to trust the process and grow into something than himself.
Hill leads the Human Jukebox with purpose and confidence; one might assume Hill grew up watching the band, but that wasn’t the case. Raised in New Iberia, Louisiana, with a population of approximately 26,849 to 27,926, Hill spent much of his early life playing basketball, with music not being introduced to him until the eighth grade. “It happened by chance, but I always really liked music,” Hill said. His friend at the time asked him, “do you want to play a horn or make beats?” Hill chose beats and placed a percussion class on his eighth-grade schedule and “from then on it was history,” Hill said.
“Growing up in New Iberia really prepares you for anything,” said Hill. He describes New Iberia as a rough environment and that if he can grow up there, he can make it anywhere. He believes that there’s an introspect and outside element that connects to his motivation and resilience. “My mother is my biggest inspiration. People think I am resilient, but they just haven’t seen her and what she’s been through,” said Hill.
He describes that he and his mother have been through challenges growing up. Not many people know that his mother had him at a young age. Anything that his mother endured, he witnessed firsthand, and conversely. “Make the right choices the first time because there would be no second time,” his mother Dane’qua Hill. Their bond was rooted in shared experiences and mutual understanding. “She pushes me to always do my best and be better than the environment where I come from,” said Hill. He channels that encouragement into fuel, using every doubt and low expectation placed on him as motivation to rise above it.
Hill is a psychology major with plans to become a clinical psychologist. He is particularly interested in abnormal psychology and mental disorders, and he hopes to teach, counsel, and explore different opportunities within the field, including working with individuals with autism. Ultimately, he wants to specialize in trauma. He enjoys understanding how the brain works and why humans behave the way they do.
Hill keeps a steady routine throughout his day. His day starts at 6:30 a.m. with prayer, reading, and breakfast before heading to class at 10 a.m. and again at 12 p.m. Around 1 p.m., he studies or rests. He balances five classes throughout the day, fulfilling 16 academic credit hours, along with work-study responsibilities with the band, which is a one- credit class. In between classes, he usually spends time in the library studying or getting work done. After another class and a short break to reset, his day shifts into band mode with practice from 4 p.m. to midnight during marching band season, and typically from 4–6 p.m. for concert band season. Staying consistent helps him manage it all. “Hardest thing to do is to stay focused, & the easiest thing to do is get distracted,” said Hill.
It’s similar to college athletes making the transition from “academic life” to “athletic life”; a light switch. From 69 miles away, he has come across unpleasant people and situations that molded him into stepping up and leading the Human Jukebox Band. “Don’t feel sorry for yourself, and don’t complain and just enjoy it. This is what it comes with,” said Hill. On the outside looking in, others don’t see that he leads 200- 300 members of band that consist of different personalities on day-to-day basses. He believes that he’ll be alright under any circumstances he can handle anything; the pressure and responsibility of being the drum major.
Coming into his freshman year in fall 2023, Hill had the interest of playing cymbals. Due to too many cymbal players, Hill was placed on snare drum. “I loved playing the cymbals. I’ve always been a cymbal player. But things happen,” said Hill. From that very experience he learned “how to adapt, adjust, and stay persistent,” Hill added. Charles Allen, a friend since 2022, said, “Demarcus has been a hard-working man since I first met him. Ever since I knew him, he has always been an inspiration because he never gave up or quit, even when times get hard.”
As time moved on from summer 2022 to fall 2023, you could assume Hill performed in his first field show his freshman year— 2023 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands, but unfortunately, he did not. “I felt played because I knew I was more than capable, but it taught me that if I really wanted to accomplish anything in the band I had to stand out. You need more than a good attitude and work ethics.
He learned and valued lessons that you can find in a textbook. You need undeniable skills and people have to know what you can do. So, you have to shine for your own well-being,” said Hill. He didn’t let disappointment turn into frustration or doubt. Instead, he got right back up and committed himself to his craft. He understood that what he pours into himself is exactly what he’ll get out.
That mindset was put to the test entering his first semester of sophomore year and his first season as the drum major. Already adjusting to the pressure of new leadership, Hill faced additional challenges: he was evicted from his apartment, which affected his credit score, and he lost his aunt. Balancing grief and new responsibilities were difficult. At times he felt unfocused and emotional, but he learned to acknowledge his feelings and find peace with his loss. Amid financial strain and having to cover tuition out of pocket, Hill chose to advocate for himself. He reached out to Dr. Taylor, Director of Bands, who helped secure on-campus housing and connected him with scholarships to ease the burden.
Every great performer shapes their creativity through inspiration and influence. At the beginning of each field show, Hill performs his signature “kickout,” setting the tone for the performance. To create his own style, he pulled pages from the Human Jukebox’s history, studying those who came before him while adding his own personality to make the moment his. Hill draws inspiration from several former Human Jukebox drum majors.
Tevin Coleman (2009–11) influenced his precision and emphasis on sharp 90-degree angles, while Kieth Morgan (2013–15) shaped his style and body movement. Both had similar builds to Hill, making their techniques relatable. NaToj Johnson (2022–24), who attended the same high school, has taught Hill since he was 15 years old, serving as his foundation. “This is your moment, capitalize on it,” said Johnson. Jared Jones, though never a drum major, connected Hill to the band’s legacy and helped shape his humility and moral approach to leadership. “He (Jones) helped mold me into a more ‘personable drum major,’ like being approachable, open to taking pictures, and talking to people. He also taught me how to work smarter and harder to see improvement and make material,” said Hill.
In every organization, there are endless opportunities. The Human Jukebox has provided endless opportunities for their students not only through the marching band but concert bands. Hill preforms at the highest leave as a member of the Wind Ensemble, the university’s top band. “I consistently improve because I’m constantly reading and playing challenging music. There’s always something I take away from Wind Ensemble,” said Hill. In that band, he has experienced recording for the 2025 Superbowl LIX Pre- Game Show and performing at the 2025 Louisiana Association Music Education (LMEA) Conference. Shifting towards marching band he enjoyed preforming for the 2025 Superbowl but not as much as preforming on the Jenniefer Hunsdon Show. “I will never forget she (Hunsdon) told me that she loved me and gave me this really nice hug,” said Hill.
There’s more to Hill than the uniform; beneath it is a driven individual who holds himself to higher expectations. He aims to leave a legacy at Southern University. “I would like to make an impact on the university as a whole, in the community of Baton Rouge, and my own community at home,” said Hill. To achieve this, he plans to stay actively involved and represent the campus well. He doesn’t let others’ opinions define his legacy. “I want to be remembered as a great leader and person to the best of my ability,” Hill added.
Fans of The Human Jukebox often think the “S” on the uniform stands for “standard,” but for those who wear it, it also means “sacrifice.” It’s a symbol of the countless hours, the late nights, and the personal challenges each member faces for the love of the band. To wear it, one must embody dedication, integrity, and the commitment to uplift every member around them. The “S” isn’t just stitched on a uniform; it’s a promise one carries every day, a reminder that being part of the Human Jukebox is bigger than any one person. It’s about honoring the legacy and giving your all to something greater than yourself and that is Demarcus “The Showstopper” Hill. “To show one’s deepest appreciation is to be humble and progressed,” said Hill.
