What is the black national anthem being sung at the Super Bowl 2025?

Callum McAvoy and Ben Fleming

Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59 tonight (Photo: Getty)

The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to make history tonight when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59.

After defeating the Eagles in 2023 and retaining the Vince Lombardi trophy against the San Francisco 49ers last year, the Chiefs are now bidding to become the first team in NFL history to win three successive Super Bowls.

As ever, the focus won’t just be on the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce but also the off-field entertainment with Kendrick Lamar headlining the famous half-time show.

Prior to kick-off, the national anthem and black national anthem will be performed, the latter of which has been the centre of much debate since its introduction in 2020.

Ahead of Super Bowl 59, here is everything you need to know about the black national anthem.

What is the black national anthem?

Written in late 1899 by scholar and poet James Weldon Johnson, ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ was originally produced to commemorate the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.

The powerful song, initially sung by 500 black students at a segregated school run by Johnson, soon bloomed in popularity and spread across the country.

Andra Day performed Lift Every Voice and Sing prior to Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 (Picture: Getty)

In 1919, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) declared the song the Black National Anthem.

However, it wasn’t until 2020, following protests in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, that the NFL incorporated the anthem into its pre-game ceremonies.

Its arrival has not received unanimous support, however. Posting on social media prior to last year’s Super Bowl, conservative political commentator Megyn Kelly wrote: ‘The so-called Black National Anthem does not belong at the Super Bowl. We already have a National Anthem and it includes EVERYONE.’

President Donald Trump is expected to be at Sunday’s Super Bowl (Picture: Getty)

But others have supported the anthem’s presence, particularly given the league’s complicated history with adressing issues surrounding racial injustice and police brutality.

Such topics were most notably brought to light in 2016 when former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick repeatedly kneeled during the pre-match national anthem, an act which saw him attract swathes of criticism and hate.

Speaking last year, Democratic congressman Ritchie Torres said: ‘The Black National Anthem – “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – has been a part of our Nation’s history since the early 20th century.

Colin Kaepernick brought issues of racial injustice and police brutality to the fore in the NFL (Picture: Getty)

‘The erasure of African American history as American history is a form of racism that runs deep on the far right.’

In related news, it was reported prior to Super Bowl 59 that the NFL were ditching the ‘End Racism’ messaging from the end-zone borders of the field, replacing them with ‘Choose Love’ and ‘It Takes All of Us’.

Who is singing the black national anthem at Super Bowl 59?

Ledisi, Trombone Shorty, Lauren Daigle and Jon Batiste will perform ahead of kick-off at Super Bowl 59 (Photo: Getty)

Ledisi will sing the Black national anthem at Super Bowl 59, with the Grammy-winning vocalist saying: ‘I feel like I’m in alignment with greatness to stand in this moment and sing that song.

‘I’m used to this in my career, standing in moments, representing the past and the future and the current state of the world. I’m used to that pressure. I just remember who I’m doing it for.

‘I remember my ancestors. I remember everyone waiting for this moment to feel hopeful and to feel represented.’

Jon Batiste will perform the national anthem, while Lauren Daigle and Trombone Shorty will sing ‘America the Beautiful.’

Where is the Super Bowl being held and how to watch in the UK

Super Bowl 59 is being held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, home of NFL team the New Orleans Saints.

Kick-off is at 11:30pm UK time, and British fans will be able to watch the big game on Sky Sports NFL, Sky Sports Main Event or ITV1.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

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