Jon Batiste and Lauren Daigle Set to Perform at Super Bowl, Bringing Strong Louisiana Influence
The Super Bowl LIX pregame show is packed with Louisiana pride.
Jon Batiste, a Grammy-winning musician, will perform the national anthem, while Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle will join forces for “America the Beautiful.” Additionally, Ledisi will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” as confirmed by the NFL in their announcement on Thursday night.
All four artists hail from Louisiana, with Batiste, Shorty, and Ledisi being from New Orleans, the host city for this year’s event, and Daigle coming from Lake Charles.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with this pregame lineup to honor the vibrant musical heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana as a whole,” said Seth Dudowsky, the NFL’s music director.
Batiste, known for infusing his music with Louisiana essence, gained prominence as the bandleader on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Since his departure from the show, he has continued to gain recognition, winning a Grammy for Album of the Year with “We Are” and receiving multiple nominations this year for his musical documentary “American Symphony.”
Shorty is celebrated for his unique blend of jazz and funk, deeply rooted in New Orleans culture. Notably, he has his own Mardi Gras parade featuring a float in his likeness.
Christian music artist Daigle has made significant crossover success in pop music, with her hit “You Say” achieving six times platinum status. Her music ranges from deeply spiritual to traditional singer-songwriter styles.
Ledisi, the final performer leading the stadium in the Black national anthem, is a Grammy-winning singer and producer, renowned for her powerful vocals and smooth R&B tracks.
Who will perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show this year?
While the pregame entertainment is exciting, the main attraction will be Kendrick Lamar, who is set to headline the halftime show.
This performance marks a significant return for Lamar, who has recently stepped away from the limelight.
He has made headlines this year with the unexpected release of his album “GNX” and his hit single “Not Like Us,” amidst one of the most discussed rap rivalries in recent history.
The conflict with Canadian rapper Drake escalated to the point where it not only made music charts but also landed in the courts. After facing off in diss tracks, Drake, perceived as the underdog in this dispute, filed lawsuits in Texas and New York last week, claiming Universal Music Group conspired with iHeart Radio and Spotify to artificially inflate streams of “Not Like Us.”
Universal Music Group, which represents both artists, responded to these allegations, stating that “The notion that UMG would undermine any of its artists is both offensive and unfounded. We uphold the highest ethical standards in our marketing and promotional efforts. No baseless legal claims can alter the fact that fans select the music they enjoy listening to.”