Country artist Mickey Guyton will sing the national anthem before Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, and eclectic R&B songstress Jhené Aiko will sing “America the Beautiful,” the NFL announced Tuesday.
Guyton recently earned a Grammy nomination for best country album for her debut release, “Remember Her Name,” the first for a Black artist, plus nominations for best country song and best country solo performance.
“Look at God. I am shook, I am grateful, I am praise dancing… So excited to be singing the national anthem at #SBLVI on February 13th!” she tweeted Tuesday morning.
Aiko’s 2020 album “Chilombo” earned a Grammy nomination for album of the year. The singer/songwriter is known for experimenting with a range of styles — from psychedelic to classic R&B to incorporating sound healing and the use of sound bowls in her music — and has collaborated with Drake, Childish Gambino, John Legend, Summer Walker, Big Sean, Saweetie and others.
Actress Sandra Mae Frank will perform the national anthem and “America the Beautiful” in sign language on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf.
Pregame festivities will include the contemporary gospel duo Mary Mary, accompanied by the LA Philharmonic’s YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles), performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” conducted by Thomas Wilkins, principal conductor of the LA Phil’s Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
In honor of the Air Force’s 75th anniversary year, the service will conduct a first-of-its-kind flyover over SoFi Stadium during the national anthem. The Air Force Heritage Flight will be a formation of a P-51 Mustang, A- 10C Thunderbolt II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and a F-35A Lightning II.
DJ and producer Zedd will act as the official pregame DJ during player warmups.
The NFL previously announced that Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will headline the game’s halftime show.
The Los Angeles Rams will play the Cincinnati Bengals in the game, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 13.