Super Bowl LIX to Showcase New Orleans Stars Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty, Ledisi and More

Trombone Shorty performs at a concert in celebration of Juneteenth, Monday, June 10, 2024, on the South Lawn of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Erin Scott)

The NFL has announced an all-star lineup of New Orleans music legends for the Super Bowl LIX pregame show, set for Feb. 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome. The event will feature performances from Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty, Lauren Daigle, and Ledisi, all of whom have deep ties to Louisiana and its rich musical culture.

The Super Bowl, which will air live on FOX, aims to celebrate the iconic music scene of New Orleans. “We're honored to work with this year's pregame lineup to celebrate the rich musical legacy of New Orleans and the entire state,” said Seth Dudowsky, head of music at the NFL in a release announcing the lineup. “The Super Bowl is a rare moment to unite fans around the world, and this year's performers will bring the energy, soul, and vibrant sounds of the region to a global stage.”

Five-time Grammy winner and Academy Award-winning artist Jon Batiste will perform the national anthem. A New Orleans native, Batiste is known for his work as a singer, songwriter, and composer, and recently released "Beethoven Blues (Batiste Piano Series, Vol. 1)," which debuted as the No. 1 classical album. He also composed the score for the critically acclaimed film "Saturday Night" by director Jason Reitman.

Trombone Shorty, born Troy Andrews, will join Grammy Award-winning artist Lauren Daigle to perform "America the Beautiful." Trombone Shorty, known for blending funk, soul, R&B, and rock, is a New Orleans legend who began performing at Jazz Fest at age four and has shared stages with acts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters. Daigle, a Louisiana native, is celebrated for her powerful vocals and her 2018 album "Look Up Child," which made her the first female artist to reach the Top 10 on both the pop and Christian album charts simultaneously.

Ledisi, another Grammy Award-winning artist from New Orleans, will perform "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Known for her powerful voice and commanding stage presence, Ledisi has earned international acclaim with 15 Grammy nominations and a win for Best Traditional R&B Performance. She has also performed at prestigious venues such as the White House, the Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall.

In addition to the musical lineup, the pregame show and the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show will feature American Sign Language (ASL) performances. Stephanie Nogueras will sign the "Star-Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful," Otis Jones IV will interpret "Lift Every Voice and Sing," and Matt Maxey will deliver an ASL rendition of the halftime show. The ASL performances will be supported by Alexis Kashar of LOVE SIGN and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality.

The NFL also previously announced that Kendrick Lamar will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, with DPS, Roc Nation, and Jesse Collins serving as executive producers.

For updates on Super Bowl LIX festivities, fans can visit SuperBowl.com.

22 Years Looming: Pras Michél Steps Away from Fugees During Legal Turmoil

Pras Michél

On the eve of Thanksgiving, Pras Michél, a founding member of the iconic hip-hop group the Fugees, announced he is quitting the band amid ongoing legal battles that could lead to a 22-year federal prison sentence.

Michél, 52, revealed his departure from the Fugees in an interview with Variety, stating, "They're going to Europe [to tour]. I can't go, so... It is what it is." As he deals with mounting legal challenges, Michél remains on bail with travel restrictions. Expressing his frustration, he added, "It's better to have a small group of people who believe in you than to have 100 people around you who disappear when things get tough."

The rapper and producer was convicted in April 2023 on ten counts, including campaign finance violations and acting as an unregistered foreign agent. The charges tie him to a broader scandal involving $4.5 billion embezzled from Malaysia's 1MDB fund. Michél, who is seeking a retrial, continues to deny any wrongdoing.

The Fugees, formed in 1990 in South Orange, New Jersey, are considered one of the most influential hip-hop groups of the 1990s. Their groundbreaking sound, blending rap, reggae, and soul, struck a chord with audiences worldwide. The group earned two Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album for their 1996 hit album The Score, which featured timeless tracks like "Killing Me Softly." Their influence on hip-hop and popular culture has been profound.

Michél's relationship with his former bandmates has been strained in recent years. In October 2024, he filed a lawsuit against Lauryn Hill, accusing her of fraud over the abrupt cancellation of the Fugees' 2023 North American tour. Hill responded to the lawsuit, calling it "baseless" and "full of false claims and unwarranted attacks." The lawsuit also alleges breach of contract, with Michél criticizing Hill for rejecting a $5 million offer for the Fugees to perform at Coachella — allegedly due to No Doubt receiving top billing.

In the Variety interview, Michél denied allegations of being a Chinese spy, despite accusations that he illegally lobbied U.S. politicians on behalf of foreign interests. "I like spy movies, but I never wanted to be a spy," he said. "I don't think that's sexy. But a part of it felt like that." Michél admitted to accepting $20 million from Malaysian financier Jho Low, the alleged mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal, which led to his conviction for illegal lobbying efforts involving the Obama and Trump administrations.

Facing the prospect of 22 years in prison, Michél remains defiant. "I'm going to fight, and I'm going to appeal, but there's a possibility that I'm going in while I'm fighting," he told Variety. "It's just the reality."

Despite his legal troubles, Michél's story may soon make its way to the screen. Director Ben Patterson is reportedly working on a documentary featuring footage filmed by Michél himself, and actor Idris Elba has shown interest in acquiring Michél's life rights for a potential film adaptation, according to Variety.

No Bail for Diddy: Third Attempt Denied, Trial Wait Could Keep Him Behind Bars for Months

A Manhattan federal judge has denied Sean "Diddy" Combs' third attempt at securing bail in his sex trafficking and racketeering case, ensuring the rap mogul remains behind bars as the case moves forward.

The ruling, issued late Wednesday by Judge Arun Subramanian, came down with a single word in capital letters: "DENIED." Combs had hoped to spend Thanksgiving with his family in a three-bedroom Manhattan apartment under 24-hour surveillance, part of a $50 million bail package his lawyers had proposed. Instead, Combs will remain in the Metropolitan Correctional Center.

Judge Subramanian's decision underscored the severity of the charges against Combs. "No condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community," the judge wrote. The denial highlighted concerns about Combs' potential danger to others if released.

On Friday, Combs' family, including his 17-year-old twin daughters, Jessie and D'Lila, attended a bail hearing. Last year, the twins spent Thanksgiving with their father as he served turkey dinners to the homeless in Miami. That Thanksgiving also marked the day the Adult Survivors Act opened a one-year window for alleged victims of sex crimes to seek civil claims, which has led to several lawsuits against Combs.

In 2023, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, Combs' former girlfriend, sued him for alleged rape and years of abuse. Combs settled the case a day later, but on Thanksgiving Day, two more women —Joi Dickerson-Neal and Liza Gardner — filed lawsuits alleging he raped them in the early '90s. Dickerson-Neal's suit says she reported the alleged assault to police, but was told she needed corroboration from witnesses, a common roadblock before the #MeToo movement.

Combs has denied all allegations, but his behavior, including alleged drug-fueled "freak-offs," drew federal attention, leading to his September indictment. The charges describe years of abuse, coercion, and control, alleging Combs used his business empire to create a criminal enterprise involving sex trafficking, forced labor, and more.

Combs' lawyers had already tried and failed twice to get him released on bail. Prosecutors argued that a multimillion-dollar bail package would create a "two-tier" justice system favoring the wealthy. They also highlighted Combs' repeated violations of communication rules at the detention center, deeming him too dangerous to release.

Judge Subramanian cited these concerns, referencing seized firearms, including AR-15s with defaced serial numbers, and the indictment's claims of Combs' use of violence to intimidate victims and witnesses. He also quoted a text from Ventura after a 2016 incident in which Combs allegedly assaulted her in a hotel hallway: "I have a black eye and a fat lip. You are sick for thinking it’s OK to do what you’ve done… I still have crazy bruising."

Combs entered the courtroom with a smile for his twin daughters, but the judge's ruling means he will likely stay in custody until his trial. If convicted, the music mogul could face many more Thanksgivings behind bars.