'The Worst Rendition': Jon Batiste's National Anthem Performance at Super Bowl Sparks Discussion

The Grammy-winning singer sang the US anthem in New Orleans, Louisiana, just before the Philadelphia Eagles took on the Kansas City Chiefs for a shot at victory.

Jon Batiste graced the Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome on February 9, where he belted out the US national anthem. Fans were divided over his rendition,, with some expressing strong disapproval.

The musician and composer began his performance with a smooth, jazzy rhythm, gradually building momentum as he passionately played a vibrant piano positioned at the center of the field.

His version stood out for its unique style, a far cry from traditional versions, which left fans divided on his approach. One user said, "That's how u [sic] ruin the national anthem 😂," while another individual wrote, "It is the worst rendition."

A third fan shared their disappointment, "Sadly, it was far from stunning. It was disappointing. To say the least." Many felt the performance strayed too far from the original, with one fan criticizing, "The national anthem was butchered."

Another echoed that sentiment, "Absolutely terrible. If we can’t sing along, it's not the national anthem." One fan pointed out the preference for tradition, commenting, "I'll never understand why they can't just sing the song. Nobody wants to hear 'your version' of it. It's the National Anthem - not The Voice."

A more critical fan added, "No one should change the words of any national anthem." Others tried to find the silver lining, with one user offering, "Appreciate the blues touch, but it was kind of weak."

However, not all opinions were negative. One fan enthusiastically declared, "This anthem is amazing," and another praised it as "A powerful and heartfelt performance! 🇺🇸🎶 #SBLIX."

In a short interview before the Super Bowl, Batiste had shared how he was feeling. "I'm excited to figure out an arrangement that lasts the test of time and I look forward to sharing it," said the singer. He added that the Super Bowl is about togetherness and he couldn't wait to be a part of it.

Days before the event, he posted a short clip on Instagram, revealing that he had been good at both music and sports. "But music, lucky for me has brought me back for the big game," he gushed.

The day before the Super Bowl, Batiste hosted his first-ever Love Riot Festival in the 9th Ward of New Orleans. He expressed deep gratitude for the organizations and teams that made the event possible, including He Gets Us, George Washington Carver High School, Thrive New Orleans, and Giving Hope.

The festival aimed to use the power of music to uplift the community, providing a free, full-scale music experience as a gift. Batiste also thanked the artists and teams who supported and performed at the event. Closing with an emotional message, he shared his love for everyone, saying, “I love you even if I don’t know you!”

Batiste, a celebrated figure in the music industry, boasts an impressive 22 Grammy nominations and 7 wins throughout his career. While he didn’t attend the 2025 Grammy Awards, he took a moment on Instagram to express his gratitude for the recent recognition.

His documentary "American Symphony" claimed the Grammy for Best Music Film, and his song "It Never Went Away" from the documentary won Best Song Written for Visual Media. "Sending gratitude to all who made this film possible," he enthused, sharing the touching words alongside a picture of him posing next to his wife, Suleika Jaouad.

Jon Batiste does not shy away from innovation, which contributes to his success. His latest album, "Beethoven Blues," released in 2024, showcases his knack for breaking boundaries. The 11-track album is a fusion of genres, where the singer reinterprets Ludwig van Beethoven's iconic compositions, blending them with modern sounds and styles.

This creative collaboration with the legendary composer breathes new life into his classical works, weaving them into a fresh, fluid musical narrative that spans various musical eras. The result brings Beethoven's timeless melodies to a broader, more diverse audience.

He explained, "Whether you are a classical musical listener, whether you're a person of faith, whether you're a child, whether you sing in a choir, whether you are an amateur pianist is rare air. Beethoven occupies rare air in terms of the canon."

The Julliard-trained jazz pianist, who has played with stars like Beyoncé and Prince, collaborates with his wife in some of his work. Jaouad is a New York Times best-selling author, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, and a motivational speaker.

"American Symphony" is a project the couple worked on together. In it, Batiste sets out to compose a symphony. Then, Jaouad learns that her cancer is back. This documentary is a portrait of two artists at a crossroads and a meditation on art, love, and the creative process.

Jaouad spoke of her journey fighting cancer in her 2024 end-of-year post, where she shared pictures of her year's highlights. She wrote, "When you learn for the third time you have cancer, it’s easy to feel hopeless. But my photos showed me that even in the hardest moments, there were so many joys. That life is not a monolith. That our forever work is to learn to hold the brutal and beautiful in the same palm."

Jaouad revealed that she experienced a year of intense contrasts, feeling both her lowest and most defeated moments as her cancer returned, yet also encountering some of the most beautiful and unexpected experiences of her life.

Despite the challenges, she found immense gratitude, especially for her husband, whose unwavering support has been a source of joy and strength through every twist of her journey.

Now, she often reflects on the beauty and magic that surrounds her, even in the darkest moments, reminding herself to live and love.

Throughout her journey, Jaouad has also shared her story in her three books, "Life Interrupted," "Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of Life Interrupted," and "The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life." These works exemplify her resilience, her passion for life, and the transformative power of love amidst battling cancer.