Moments before the start of a Super Bowl game, it is a tradition for the presentation of various musical artists who perform songs of great significance such as the National Anthem or a song from the Star’s repertoire. One of those songs, which generates a lot of controversy, is Lift Every Voice and Sing, known as the black national anthem. On this occasion, minutes before the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers players entered the field, the song was performed by R&B singer Andra Day.
The fellow Grammy winner “was accompanied by a handful of backup singers, and together their harmonies soared as they performed the classic song. With her voice effortlessly reaching high notes and her backup vocalists performing simple, yet effective choreography, conveying inspiring energy before the big game,” People magazine reported.
Other artists who also performed before the start of the game were Post Malone, and Reba McEntire, halftime will be starred by the singer Usher.
What Is the Black Anthem?
Lift Every Voice and Sing is a song with lyrics by James Weldon Johnson and music by J. Rosamond Johnson, in a prayer of thanksgiving, faithfulness, and freedom based on the biblical text of the book of Exodus. The song was written in 1990, during a period when the African-American community was facing discrimination in the United States.
The title of the black anthem was awarded by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); However, the decision has not been without controversy because it is considered ‘separatist’, and some even consider it offensive to The Star-Spangled Banner, the national anthem of the United States. However, the association has maintained its position, as the song has great meaning for the interracial population.
“It’s an anthem of triumph, and that’s what I want people to find when I sing this song. I want you to know that we already have victory and we already have peace… It feels like an honor,” she said, Day.
This story was written in Spanish by Daniel Matute in Cultura Colectiva.
