THE ANGELS – Fergie responds after viewers popped up on social media for her jazz performance of the national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game. He said he did his best and wanted to “try something special.”
“I’ve always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA,” the Grammy-winning singer said Monday in a statement. “I’m a person who takes risks artistically, but it’s clear that this performance didn’t live up to its expectations. I love this country and I honestly did my best.”
- Fergie’s national anthem of the NBA All-Star Game confuses, it’s fun
Fergie’s slow, blues performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Sunday night was not particularly well received at the Staples Center or on social media before the 67th annual NBA presentation. A low laugh echoed through the exhausted arena after she finished the first line of the song with a guttural growl in the “early light of dawn.”
As reported by CBS Los Angeles, many on social media described Fergie’s version as the “worst performance ever.” Some said he killed the song. Others just hated it … a lot.
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Roseanne Barr, the notorious interpretation of the song at a 1990 Padres / Reds baseball game, spit and grabbed her crotch, causing a national uproar, saying that even her performance was better than that of Fergie.
Who saw Fergie’s national anthem perform at the NBA All Star Game? I think mine was better discreet
– Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) February 19, 2018
Golden State All-Star Draymond Green captured the mood and turned it into an instant GIF when displayed with its mouth open on the marker and the television broadcast in apparent confusion about Fergie’s unique vocal styles. Green laughed to himself after realizing he was on TV.
Even Draymond laughed pic.twitter.com/R8itTpUAD8
– Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) February 19, 2018
Charles Barkley, a six-time NBA All-Star and now commentator, joked that he “needed a cigarette” after Fergie’s performance during TNT’s part-time program.
Fans of the entire crowd of stars reacted with varying degrees of perplexity and excitement as he continued his languid 2 and a half minute version of the song. While Fergie was on the field, her rhythm, musical accompaniment, and sexy delivery weren’t exactly typical of a sporting event or a patriotic song.
After a blistering ending, Fergie finally received a standing ovation when she shouted, “Let’s play basketball!”
The former Black Eyed Peas singer, born Stacy Ann Ferguson, is from nearby Hacienda Heights, California.
Former Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal jumped in defense of Fergie and said, “Fergie, I love you. She was different. She was sexy. I liked her. Leave her alone.”
Others on social media were not so kind, with performance reviews outpacing positive reviews.
The nearby Inglewood Forum, California, was the site of the most famous national anthem in the history of the sport during another NBA All-Star Game 35 years ago.
Marvin Gaye’s poignant rhythm and blues version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in the 1983 game was initially criticized, but has since gained widespread acceptance as an innovative musical performance.
Instead, Fergie is more likely to join the long list of curious versions of the anthem, although she showed much more impressive vocal beats than Roseanne Barr or Carl Lewis.
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- NBA All-Star Game
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