The Super Bowl will take place in New Orleans and pre-show performers will represent the Big Easy, including Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste.
The NFL and Roc Nation announced on Thursday that Batiste will perform the national anthem on Feb. 9 at the Caesars Superdome. Christian singer Lauren Daigle and jazz musician Trombone Shorty will join forces for “America the Beautiful,” while R&B vocalist Ledisi will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The big game will air live on Fox.
“We’re honored to work with this year’s pregame lineup to celebrate the rich musical legacy of New Orleans and the entire state,” Seth Dudowsky, head of music at the NFL, says in a statement. “The Super Bowl is a rare moment to unite fans around the world, and this year’s performers will bring the energy, soul and vibrant sounds of the region to a global stage, as we kick off Super Bowl LIX with a celebration to remember.”
Rap king Kendrick Lamar will headline the halftime show, three years after he performed at the major event with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem and 50 Cent. Those performers, along with executive producers Jay-Z and Jesse Collins, won the Primetime Emmy for outstanding variety special (live).
The pregame entertainment and halftime show will also feature American Sign Language performances by Stephanie Nogueras, who will sign the national anthem and “America the Beautiful”; Otis Jones IV will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing”; and Matt Maxey will deliver the ASL rendition of Lamar’s halftime performance. The ASL pregame performances and the ASL halftime show will be supported by Alexis Kashar of LOVE SIGN and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality.