Its unique style and showmanship include the J5 drum majors, Prancing J-Settes, floating JSU, Tiger Run-On, the “Get Ready” entrance, and “The Series.” Its musical approach can be traced to the early years, when a former arranger, William W. Davis, was the director for Cab Calloway’s big band (1948–1971).

The band performs marches, Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Deep South Rap.

It was initially made up of Jackson College and Lanier High School students[1] Founded as the Jackson State University Marching Band, the name "Sonic Boom of the South" was adopted by director Harold J. Haughton Sr. in 1971, having been suggested by band members.

Haughton acted as director until 1983; during his tenure, he changed the band uniform color from royal blue to light navy blue, introduced the Motown hit "Get Ready" as the band's theme, replaced the Majorettes with featured dancers, and introduced the "Tiger Run-on" shuffle, "Tiger Strut" and "Floating JSU" halftime display.

[1] In the Fall of 1983, shortly before Haughton left for an equivalent position at Virginia State University, he increased the band size to 160 members.

[12] In 2022, SBOTS was featured on ABC's Good Morning America during JSU's homecoming week.

[15] The SBOTS performed at several notable occasions, such as Motown's 30th Anniversary, the 34th National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Awards, alongside "Cedric the Entertainer," a number of NFL games and their most recent performance at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration Parade.