The singer set to perform the black national anthem at this weekend’s Super Bowl became visibly emotional when speaking of her pride in the controversial song.
‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ is traditionally sung during the pregame festivities at the NFL’s end-of-season showpiece, but has been the subject of fierce debate in recent years.
MAGA supporters and Republicans in particular have been calling for the song to be boycotted, with last year’s rendition before Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas sparking a considerable backlash.
Yet amid the controversy, American singer and songwriter Ledisi will be performing the anthem this Sunday in New Orleans, where president Donald Trump will be in the house to watch the Kansas City Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ledisi fought back the tears while discussing what the anthem means to her at a press conference days out from Super Bowl LIX, admitting she is ‘overwhelmed’ to be in this position.
‘I feel like I’m in alignment with greatness to stand in this moment and sing that song,’ the 52-year-old said. ‘So that’s all I can say, I’m honored.’
American singer Ledisi is performing the black national anthem at the Super Bowl this weekend
The controversial song, performed by Andra Day last year (pictured), is the subject of debate
After acknowledging that she was getting emotional, Ledisi revealed she has been ‘choked’ up ever since receiving the offer to perform at the Super Bowl.
‘I think I’m choked up the whole time, even [from] the phone call. It starts there,’ she continued.
‘But I’m used to this in my career, standing in moments, representing the past and the future and the current state of the world, I’m used to that pressure.
‘I just remember who I’m doing it for. I remember my ancestors, I remember everyone waiting for this moment to feel hopeful and to feel represented.
‘So yeah, I do get choked up. I’m choked up the whole time. But I have a job to do.’
At Super Bowl LVII in 2023, Republican politician and long-time Trump loyalist Kari Lake made headlines when she refused to stand for the black anthem.
On social media after the game, she wrote: ‘I’m just here for THE National Anthem.’
It remains to be seen how Trump responds to this year’s performance of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’, which was originally written in 1899 by James Weldon Johnson.
Ledisi became emotional when discussing how much ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ means to her
President Donald Trump is also set to attend this weekend’s Super Bowl in New Orleans
Trump loyalist Kari Lake refused to stand as the black national anthem was played in 2023
The president, who confirmed Tuesday that he will be at this weekend’s game, has caused controversy by hitting out at Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the US since his reelection last month.
According to The Athletic, Sunday’s showdown between the Chiefs and Eagles in will be the first Super Bowl since 2021 to not include ‘End Racism’ messages at the back of each end zone.
It is believed the NFL’s decision led one high-ranking official to express concern in light of the president’s controversial comments on DEI.
The NFL has long been a vehicle for political debate, from 49ers star Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem back in 2016, to players doing ‘the Trump dance’ during the 2024 election campaign.
At last year’s Super Bowl, Andra Day performed the black national anthem – and she too was met by considerable backlash from MAGA supporters and Republicans.
Florida representative Matt Gaetz (R) tweeted out an exchange he had with his wife saying that he would not be watching the show because, ‘They’re desecrating America’s National Anthem by playing something called the “Black National Anthem.”‘
The NFL has also chosen to remove ‘End Racism’ messages from end zones at the Super Bowl
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly wrote: ‘The so-called Black National Anthem does not belong at the Super Bowl. We already have a National Anthem and it includes EVERYONE.’
Yet as calls for the song to be boycotted continue to gather pace, ESPN host Stephen A. Smith has issued a scathing verdict on the backlash to the black national anthem in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com.
‘I understand that society can be very polarizing at times, but the reality is that segments of our population have a right to be prideful about their culture, their people,’ Smith said in New Orleans this week.
He continued: ‘Everybody has a right to feel the way that they feel… if you’re not doing harm to anybody else, leave it be.
‘When we start telling people how to think and how to feel, even when they’re not harming anybody else? Now you’re touching on the American fabric.
‘That’s not what America is about. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to think, to be a free thinker, that’s what makes America special, and that’s what we have to remember.’
