The Best 'Black National Anthem' Performances in History
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This week the pre-show performers for the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas were announced, and Grammy Award winner Andra Day will be singing the Black National Anthem! Day will join a legacy of other outstanding artists who have nailed the powerful song on stages for decades! The Black National Anthem also called “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was added to the NFL line-up alongside America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner in 2023. As we wait for Day to kill it in February, we look back at other artists who did the song justice!
Sheryl Lee Ralph
“Abbott Elementary’s” Sheryl Lee Ralph gave a grand performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the 2023 Super Bowl in Arizona. She was the star of the preshow as she wore this red jumpsuit with a train!
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In 1985, Al Green and Deniece Williams came together to record “Lift Every Voice and Sing” for Black History Month. This soulful, upbeat version is much different than the typical, slower ballad feel of other covers.
Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, sang the hymn at the Fox Theater. The audience was so moved by the performance that they also joined in from their seats.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé included half of the first verse of the Black National Anthem in her 2018 Coachella performance!
John Legend
Grammy-winning artist John Legend gave a soulful virtual performance of the hymn for the Morehouse School of Medicine 2020 commencement ceremony!
Alicia Keys
During the pandemic in 2020, Alicia Keys recorded a cover of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” for the NFL. The video also included clips from Black Lives Matter protests, football players kneeling, and people wearing masks.
Ray Charles
Ray Charles and the Raelettes sped up the hymn for their performance on The Dick Cavett Show in 1972.
Jazmine Sullivan
R&B artist Jazmine Sullivan pulled off the most impressive riffs and runs while singing the Black National Anthem for the Macy’s 2023 July 4th celebration.
Terri Lyne Carrington, Stevie Wonder, Melba Moore, and More
This performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was directed by Debbie Allen, and featured a star-studded cast including Melba Moore, Terri Lyne Carrington, Dionne Warwick, Bebe and Cece Winans, and Stevie Wonder.
Whitney Houston
Everybody adores Whitney Houston’s take on the “Star Spangled Banner,” but did you know that she also sang the Black National Anthem? Although she forgot the lyrics, her hums still sounded great!
Spelman College Glee Club
Don’t we all love a classic choir? The Spelman College Glee Club nailed the Black National Anthem in 2019. Come through altos!
Kurt Carr
Gospel artist Kurt Carr released a class church choir version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during Black History Month in 2021.
June’s Diary
Kelly Rowland’s former girl group June’s Diary did this gorgeous acapella performance of the Black National Anthem.
Will Liverman
Famed baritone opera singer Will Liverman gave this powerful performance of “America the Beautiful” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the 2023 US Open Men’s Championship.
Gladys Knight and Bebe Winans
Gladys Knight and Bebe Winans did this beautiful duet in 2012!
Kierra Sheard
This breathtaking recording was done by gospel singer Kierra Sheard for the 111th NAACP Convention.
Kim Weston
This powerful performance with audience members raising their fists in the air was led by Motown alumna Kim Weston.
The Tabernacle Choir
The famous Tabernacle Choir presented their version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” to members of the NAACP in 2018!
Southern University Human Jukebox
HBCU bands make every song sound even better than it already is! Southern University’s Human Jukebox performed their rendition of the hymn in 2016.
Mary Mary
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Gospel sister duo Mary Mary sang the hymn at the pre-show for the 2022 Super Bowl.
Alex Newell
Tony Award winner Alex Newell took us to church with this classic take on “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in 2020 for the Black Queer Town Hall.
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