Ledisi, a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as part of Super Bowl LIX’s pregame festivities.
The New Orleans native sang the song, otherwise known as the Black national anthem, at the Caesars Superdome as fans anticipated the kickoff for the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
She won a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the song “Anything for You.”
Jon Batiste performed the national anthem and Lauren Daigle performed “America the Beautiful.”
The performance of the Black national anthem has been a source of consternation for fans since the NFL decided to inset the song before the Super Bowl to end the 2020 season. Fans were unhappy with it again and made their voices heard on social media.
Only our actual national anthem should be performed at the Super Bowl.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 9, 2025
Why are they trying to divide Americans? We are all American, under one National Anthem. The Star Spangled Banner 🇺🇸 Black Americans are American. Stop this racism. #SuperBowl
— Beau Yotty (@BeauYotty) February 9, 2025
There is only ONE national anthem
Divisive.
— Earl Cooley (@EarlCooley96661)