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

Photo: Robyn Beck /AFP/Getty Images

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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 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.

Bad Bunny And Residente Surprise Puerto Rico Governor With Visit

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TLC 

Photo: Alison Buck/Getty Images

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Relive GRAMMY Week 2019 In Pictures

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The days leading up to the 61st GRAMMY Awards were filled with star-studded events around Los Angeles honoring some of music's greats—let's take a look at the highlights
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Feb 12, 2019 - 5:51 pm

The 61st GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 10 really lived up to its name as Music's Biggest Night, with tons of show-stopping performances, powerful speeches and big wins throughout the night.

Yet the big show was just one piece of the excitement for a celebratory and star-studded GRAMMY Week. Let's take a look at pictures capturing the big moments from some of the other events you may have missed last week.

Kacey Musgraves & Willie Nelson
GRAMMY Week 2019 In Photos

GRAMMY Week was in full-force midweek, with the Producers & Engineers Wing Celebration honoring GRAMMY-winning country legend Willie Nelson on Feb. 6. Artists including fellow GRAMMY winner Dave Matthews paid tribute to the icon.

The week continued with engaging programs and events from the GRAMMY Museum, most of which were geared towards aspiring musicians. This included a Mississippi Songwriting Workshop for local students on Feb. 7, followed by an evening event celebrating the blues with performances from PJ Morton and more. Also on Feb. 7, GRAMMY In The Schools Live! celebrated music educators like honoree Jeffery Redding and rocked The Montalbán with performances from alumni of GRAMMY Camp, one of the museum's student-focused offerings.

Related: See Post Malone, Bebe Rexha And More In The Audience At The 2019 GRAMMYs

There were also handfuls of great sponsored parties, like the Delta Airline's event on Feb. 7 featuring Ella Mai and the Bulova Brunch on Feb. 9 featuring GRAMMY-winning great Chaka Khan.

On Feb. 8, the MusiCares Person Of The Year Celebration celebrated their 2019 honoree, the GRAMMY-winning queen of country Dolly Parton. Her goddaughter Miley Cyrus, along with Katy Perry, Shawn Mendes and more celebrated the legend with dazzling Dolly-inspired looks and tribute performances.

More Pics: The Hottest 2019 GRAMMYs Red Carpet Looks In Photos

Less than 24 hours before the big night, many of the stars that would be onstage and in the audience, including Travis Scott, Brandi Carlile, Chloe x Halle and H.E.R., gave a killer show and practiced their red carpet poses at the Pre-GRAMMY Gala. The insanely star-studded event hosted by industry legend Clive Davis celebrated fellow industry greats, including the evening special honoree Clarence Avant.

Check It Out: BTS To Maren Morris: Backstage At The 2019 GRAMMYs

Immediately following the 61st GRAMMY Awards, TLC and En Vogue kept the party going at the GRAMMY Celebration. Check out the photo gallery above to get an insider's look at all these events and visit the links for more photo galleries, including backstage and on the red carpet at the show.

From Dolly To H.E.R.: 10 Unforgettable 2019 GRAMMYs Moments