Grammy-winning artist and New Orleans native Ledisi will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” ahead of the Super Bowl.
The Pieces of Me singer is slated to bring a stunning rendition of the classic in her hometown.
Originally a poem written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson, the leader of the NAACP, it was set to music and became a powerful anthem during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Sung at rallies and protests, it serves as a call for justice and equality for Black Americans, proclaiming “Let us march on ’til victory is won.”
Booker T. Washington endorsed the song in 1905 and it was adopted as the official song of the NAACP in 1919.
Troy Vincent, the NFL’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations, wrote this about “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in a 2020 blog post:
“It has encouraged generations of Black people that God will lead us to the promises of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It’s as pertinent in today’s environment as it was when it was written.”
In 2021, the NFL began to include “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with the Super Bowl pregame. Alicia Keys, Mary Mary and Andra Day have previously performed the song for the Big Game.
Ledisi is no stranger to using her art for political themes. In April 2014, Ledisi portrayed singer Mahalia Jackson in the historical drama film, Selma. The film is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches for voting rights in Alabama. She later revived her role as Mahalia in Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story.
Ledisi will join Jon Batiste, who will perform the national anthem, along with Lauren Daigle and Trombone Shorty, who will sing ‘America the Beautiful.’ The Apple Music Halftime Show will feature the diverse talents of hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar, with special guest SZA confirmed to perform.