The song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the “Black National Anthem,” has been a staple at major sporting events since 2020, and it sounds like that tradition will continue when the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
According to CBS News, Grammy Award-winning artist Ledisi will take the stage to perform the song ahead of the big game.
“Ledisi will perform the song, which has been an important piece of work for over a century. Ledisi is a 15-time Grammy nominee and has a Grammy win for Best Traditional R&B Performance for ‘Anything For You.’ She has taken the stage at many major locations including The White House, Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center,” CBS News reported.
Featured in 42 different Christian hymnals, the song draws on themes from the biblical Exodus, symbolizing the journey from slavery to freedom and the pursuit of the “promised land.” It has held profound meaning within the Black community, especially in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
Originally written in 1899 by James Weldon Johnson, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was first conceived as a poem to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Johnson, a noted author, educator, lawyer, and civil rights activist, sought to honor Lincoln’s legacy through his words.
This won’t be the first time the song has been performed at a major NFL event. It has been featured at each of the last three Super Bowls – Alicia Keys delivered a prerecorded rendition ahead of the 2021 Super Bowl, Mary Mary performed it from outside SoFi Stadium at Super Bowl LVI, and Andra Day sang it live before last year’s championship game.
Beyond the Super Bowl, the song has also been incorporated into other major NFL events, including the 2021 NFL Draft and the league’s season opener that same year.
As part of the pregame performances, The Star-Spangled Banner will also be sung, with New Orleans native Jon Batiste set to deliver his rendition of the national anthem.
