Coco Jones Brings Soul and Strings to ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ on Super Bowl Pre-Game Ceremony

Coco Jones lent her powerful voice to "Lift Every Voice and Sing" as part of the Super Bowl's pre-game festivities, continuing a tradition where artists such as Andra Day and Ledisi have previously performed the revered hymn. Her soulful and deliberate rendition, supported by an eight-piece all-female string section, allowed the weight of the lyrics to resonate fully. First penned in 1900 by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson, the song is frequently termed the Black national anthem and has been a fixture at significant American events for generations. Jones's performance thus served as both a personal artistic statement and a link in this enduring cultural chain.

Her sartorial choice for the occasion was a modern, sport-inspired look: a cropped white puffy jacket worn over a long white skirt, both adorned with red sequin stripes. A bold band of red, green, and black sequins wrapped around her left arm added a distinctive accent. In a conversation with Apple Music's Ebro Darden and Zane Lowe beforehand, Jones discussed her mindset. "The key is authenticity," she explained. "For me, 'Lift Every Voice' embodies a hope and resilience I connect with deeply... It was about truly absorbing the lyrics, internalizing their meaning, and letting my reaction flow from that." She admitted to feeling initial pressure given the song's legacy but chose to focus on the honor of the moment.

This high-profile slot arrives as Jones enjoys considerable momentum across multiple fields. While widely recognized for her acting role on Peacock's "Bel-Air," she has also served as an advisor on NBC's "The Voice." Her musical career reached a new peak in 2025 with the release of her debut studio album, "Why Not More?," a project that later expanded with a deluxe version featuring Alicia Keys and Leon Thomas. The album's critical acclaim was cemented with a 2026 Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album. Industry observers often point out that a Super Bowl performance can act as a powerful catalyst, typically leading to a notable spike in streams and significantly widening an artist's audience.

Jones's background adds rich context to her appearance on the sports world's biggest stage. The 28-year-old artist, born in South Carolina and raised in Tennessee, is the daughter of former NFL linebacker Mike Jones—famous for his game-saving tackle in Super Bowl XXXIV for the St. Louis Rams. Her personal life further bridges entertainment and sports; last July, she announced her engagement to Cleveland Cavaliers' NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell. By performing a historic anthem where her father once made football history, Jones not only honored a cultural cornerstone but also solidified her own place as a versatile talent commanding one of the most watched platforms in the world.