GRAMMYs

Gladys Knight

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Gladys Knight & Chloe x Halle Open Super Bowl 2019

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The seven-time GRAMMY winner sang the National Anthem, while sisters Chloe and Halle Bailey performed "America The Beautiful"
THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
Feb 3, 2019 - 3:34 pm

The Empress Of Soul Gladys Knight opened Super Bowl 2019 in her hometown of Atlanta with a powerful rendition of the National Anthem.

The seven-time GRAMMY winner had previously noted that she "pray[ed] that this National Anthem will bring us all together in a way never before witnessed... and we can move forward and untangle these truths which mean so much to all of us." 

She also noted last month that, "I am here today and on Sunday, Feb. 3 to give the Anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words... the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life."

Knight's statement, which was released last month upon announcing her plans to sing the Anthem, touched on the current division this year's Super Bowl and the NFL in general has had in the music community. The NFL reportedly had a tough time booking its halftime talent this year due to the controversy surrounding former 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

The Super Bowl kickoff also featured first-time GRAMMY nominees Chloe x Halle, who sang a stunning duet of "America The Beautiful."

Maroon 5 is confirmed to perform at the haltime show with special guests Big Boi and Travis Scott. 

Gladys Knight Will Sing Super Bowl National Anthem To "Bring Us All Together"
 

Gladys Knight

Gladys Knight

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Gladys Knight Will Sing Super Bowl National Anthem To "Bring Us All Together"

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Knight prays her performance will lift hearts to a "higher place"
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jan 18, 2019 - 12:08 pm

On Jan. 17, the NFL and Gladys Knight announced that the iconic GRAMMY winner will sing the National Anthem on Feb. 3 in her hometown of Atlanta before the Super Bowl LIII kickoff. 

"I pray that this National Anthem will bring us all together in a way never before witnessed," she said, "and we can move forward and untangle these truths which mean so much to all of us." 

"I am here today and on Sunday, Feb. 3 to give the Anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words," Knight continued in an extensive statement, "the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life."

Her position regarding the controversy that discouraged many other artists from performing at this year's Super Bowl is that the Anthem represents a "higher place" we are trying to reach, symbolizing national unity.

Knight also observed how her 1973 GRAMMY-winning hit, "Midnight Train To Georgia," helped launch her career, and how the Super Bowl is on its way to that very state. It's a personal coming-home moment for Knight that should also stand for reaffirming the meaning of the Anthem itself.

Maroon 5 was previously confirmed to perform at the haltime show with special guests Big Boi and Travis Scott. Super Bowl LIII will be broadcast on CBS on Feb. 3.

Big Boi & Travis Scott Confirmed As Special Guests For Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show

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Adam Levine of Maroon 5

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Maroon 5, Big Boi & Travis Scott Perform A Fiery 2019 Super Bowl Halftime Show

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Earlier in the day, it was announced that Maroon 5 had donated their performance fee to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Rachel Brodsky
GRAMMYs
Feb 3, 2019 - 5:39 pm

Pop-funk titans Maroon 5 hit the Super Bowl Iiii halftime stage in Atlanta on Sunday, Feb. 3, opening with classics "Harder To Breathe" and "This Love." 

 

 

Later in the set, the multi-GRAMMY winners ran through additional hits like "Girls Like You" and "She Will Be Loved" with some help from a gospel choir. 

GRAMMY-nominated rapper Travis Scott also got in on the action. Introduced by a "SpongeBob SquarePants" clip, Scott performed his hit "SICKO MODE" on a fiery stage and, when he was through, proceeded to crowd-surf his way out.  

Atlanta native and former Outkast member Big Boi soon rolled up in a giant mink coat and performed beloved OutKast hit "The Way You Move."

Earlier in the day, it was announced that Maroon 5 had donated their performance fee to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. In a statement, Levine said, "Playing the Super Bowl has been a dream of our band for a long time. We thank the NFL for the opportunity and also to them, along with Interscope Records, for making this donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters, which will have a major impact for children across the country."

Gladys Knight & Chloe x Halle Open Super Bowl 2019

Travis Scott

Travis Scott

Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

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Big Boi & Travis Scott Confirmed As Special Guests For Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show

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Scott and Atlanta native Big Boi will join previously announced halftime performers Maroon 5 onstage on Feb. 3
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jan 14, 2019 - 11:41 am

On Jan. 13, the NFL officially announced that current GRAMMY nominee Travis Scott and GRAMMY winner Big Boi would join GRAMMY winners Maroon 5 for the halftime show at Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3.

Maroon 5 had been confirmed as the main halftime performer back in September and, as Billboard reports, Scott had been a rumored guest but did not confirm his place on the lineup until the NFL agreed to offer a joint donation with him to a social justice organization. Fader adds that a $500,000 total contribution was made to a "social justice accelerator" run by social entrepreneur and activist Van Jones.

Big Boi, an Atlanta native and former member of GRAMMY-winning rap super-duo Outkast, shared his excitement of performing on his home turf at the new Mercedes-Benz stadium. Shortly after the NFL's announcement yesterday he tweeted: "#SBLIII ATL let's get it!" along with a promo video for the show.

You can catch the Super Bowl LIII halftime show, along with the football game, whose teams have yet to be determined, on CBS on Feb. 3.

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Tamika Mallory

Tamika Mallory

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Tamika Mallory To Host Pull Up & Vote Party Livestream Featuring Barack Obama, Questlove & More

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The star-studded online party will feature a DJ set from Questlove and conversations on important issues surrounding the 2020 Presidential Election ballots
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Oct 19, 2020 - 2:12 pm

Tomorrow, Tues., Oct. 20, Complex is throwing a "Pull Up & Vote Party" livestream hosted by activist and Women's March co-founder Tamika Mallory. The 90-minute virtual voter engagement event will feature appearances from Barack Obama and artists A$AP Ferg, Jack Harlow, Chloe x Halle and SAINt JHN. Questlove will keep things groovy with a DJ set.

As Complex explains, "the event serves as a celebration of the importance of participating in the upcoming election while firmly understanding the variety of issues that could shape American life for years to come." It is part of their 2020 Pull Up & Vote voting campaign—the website has resources to check registration, vote by mail, find a polling place and more.

"They said they wanted a revolutionary to have a seat at the table so I'm pulling up," Mallory wrote in her Instagram post about the event.

Read: Soul Clap Wants You To Rave The Vote This 2020 Election

Former President Obama also spoke about Pull Up & Vote, as well as the vital importance of civic engagement, via Complex:

"One of the most inspiring things about this year has been to see so many young Americans fired up, organizing, marching and fighting for change. In times as polarized as these, your vote doesn't just matter, it matters more than ever before… Participate and vote; it's not always pretty—trust me, I know—but it's how bit by bit, we've made progress over the generations."

You can catch the Pull Up & Vote Party live on Oct. 20 at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT on Complex's channels on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and the Pull Up & Vote site.

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