Last gave a soul-bred and suffering performance of “lift each voice and sing” during the foreplay ceremony at Super Bowl Lix in New Orleans on Sunday.
The R&B singer stood on a platform in a rolling white dress, with the support of a choir on 125 New Orleans High School students in yellow clothes to celebrate the song’s 125 anniversary. She represented for her hometown with her performance of the black national anthem, originally attached by James Weldon Johnson with music by her brother John Rosamund. The song reflects the ongoing struggle for racial equality and imagines a liberated future for black Americans.
Second Day performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at last year’s Super Bowl, and followed the footsteps of the latest singers including Sheryl Lee Ralph, Alicia Keys and Mary Mary.
For those who are not acquainted, Ledisi has been a prominent traditional R&B musician for decades and released their debut album “Soulsinger” 2000. Previously 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 bending, her music has established her as a multi -year force in contemporary R&B and earned her 14 Grammy nominations including a victory for best traditional R&B performance 2021.
In addition, Ledisi has been dabling in Hollywood, starting with a role in the George Clooney-directed movie “Leatherhead’s” in 2008. The time then she portrayed Mahalia Jackson in 2014’s “Selma”, a role she later revived in Jackson Biopic “came Remember me. “She has also appeared on the small screen in FX’s” Pose “and Bet’s” American Soul. “
Outside of entertainment, Ledisi has been a vocal suspender of the democratic ticket, played at the Democratic National Convention in 2012 and later at Barack Obama’s presidential election before the interior. In 2023 she performed in the White House during her Junetenton concert. She is also authored two books, including 2012’s “Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love & Power” and 2020’s “Van don’t ever your walk: How to embrace your trip.”
