The song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” known as the “Black National Anthem,” has been a significant part of major sporting events since 2020. This tradition is set to continue when the Kansas City Chiefs meet the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, with Grammy Award-winning artist Ledisi performing the song ahead of the game. A 15-time Grammy nominee, Ledisi won a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance with ‘Anything For You’ and has graced stages at prestigious venues like The White House, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center, as reported by CBS News.
Featured in 42 different Christian hymnals, the song draws on themes from the biblical Exodus, representing the journey from slavery to freedom and the quest for the “promised land.” With profound significance in the Black community, its importance grew following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Originally written in 1899 by James Weldon Johnson as a poem for Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Johnson—a respected author, educator, lawyer, and civil rights activist—sought to honor Lincoln’s legacy through his powerful words.
This upcoming performance is not the first at a major NFL event; the song has been featured in the last three Super Bowls. Alicia Keys delivered a prerecorded rendition ahead of the 2021 Super Bowl, Mary Mary performed from outside SoFi Stadium at Super Bowl LVI, and Andra Day sang it live before last year’s championship. Beyond the Super Bowl, the song has also been part of other significant NFL events, including the 2021 NFL Draft and the league opener that same year. Additionally, Jon Batiste, a native of New Orleans, will perform The Star-Spangled Banner as part of the pregame festivities.
