Ledisi gave a soul-stirring and impassioned performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the pregame ceremony at the Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Sunday.
The R&B singer stood on a platform in a billowing white dress, backed by a choir of 125 New Orleans high school students in yellow robes to celebrate the song’s 125th anniversary. She represented for her hometown with her performance of the Black national anthem, originally penned by James Weldon Johnson with music by his brother John Rosamund. The song reflects the ongoing struggle for racial equality and imagines a liberated future for Black Americans.
Andra Day performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at last year’s Super Bowl, following in the footsteps of recent vocalists including Sheryl Lee Ralph, Alicia Keys and Mary Mary.
For those unacquainted, Ledisi has been a prominent traditional R&B musician for decades, releasing her debut album “Soulsinger” in 2000. Formerly signed to Verve, the 52-year-old has released 11 studio albums over the years, most recently with 2021’s “Ledisi Sings Nina” and last year’s “Good Life.” With jazz and soul inflections, her music has established her as a perennial force in contemporary R&B, earning her 11 Grammy nominations including one win for best traditional R&B performance in 2021.
Beyond that, Ledisi has dabbled in Hollywood beginning with a role in the George Clooney-directed film “Leatherheads” in 2008. In the time since, she portrayed Mahalia Jackson in 2014’s “Selma,” a role she later revived in the Jackson biopic “Remember Me.” She’s also appeared on the small screen in FX’s “Pose” and BET’s “American Soul.”
Outside of entertainment, Ledisi has been a vocal supporter of the Democratic ticket, performing at the 2012 Democratic National Convention and later at Barack Obama’s 2013 presidential pre-inauguration. In 2023, she performed at the White House during its Juneteenth concert. She’s also authored two books, including 2012’s “Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love & Power” and 2020’s “Don’t Ever Lose Your Walk: How to Embrace Your Journey.”
