Taylor Swift is anticipated to make her appearance at M&T Bank Stadium for the AFC Championship Game. But as NFL fans know by now, the Grammy-winning singer isn’t there to perform the United States national anthem or provide the halftime show entertainment.
While Swift cheers on her Kansas City Chiefs boyfriend Travis Kelce against the Baltimore Ravens, and perhaps deals with a potentially rabid Jason Kelce in the suites for the second straight week, she and the rest of the fans will watch the pregame and halftime performances from these musical acts.
Watch the National Anthem in Baltimore
The city of Baltimore’s first conference title game since 1971 had a local act perform the national anthem: the Morgan State University choir.
What a rendition of the National Anthem by the @MorganStateU choir! 👏
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 28, 2024
The college assembly brought a local act singing the anthem while a B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, performed the flyover.
The choir is known for traveling and performing. Morgan State’s choir performed and toured West Africa from the time frame of May 21 to June 1, 2023. They also did a South American visit to Peru and Ecuador in 2022.
Not only have they gone on a world tour, but they also performed with legendary gospel singer CeCe Winans for a special Christmas show in December 2019.
It won’t be their first time signing the anthem at a Ravens home game. Back in 2021, the assembly sang before the Los Angeles Chargers and Ravens contest.
At halftime, the Chiefs and Ravens will welcome a popular R&B/hip-hop singer likely to bring out some late 2000s nostalgia.
Who Is Performing at Halftime at M&T Bank Stadium?
T-Pain will provide the halftime show for the AFC title game. He’ll perform from the Bud Light Touchdown Club at the stadium.
Hip-hop and R&B fans are likely familiar with the Grammy-winning singer, producer, and songwriter. Known for his use of autotune, the multi-Grammy winner from Tallahassee, Fla., produced countless hits in the mid to late 2000s.
T-Pain, whose real name is Faheem Rashad Najm, became known for his hits “I’m Sprung” and “Buy U a Drank,” and he provided the hook for Kanye West’s 2007 hit “Good Life.”
Najm has also worked with some of the larger names in the hip-hop and R&B genres. He’s performed alongside Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, Snoop Dogg, and Lil Jon and sang alongside actor/comedian/singer Jamie Foxx for the 2009 smash hit “Blame It.”
The 39-year-old recently resurfaced in the spotlight with his critically acclaimed “Covers” album — on which he sings classic hits without the use of his famed autotune voice. Among the songs he covered were the Lenny Kravitz hit “American Woman,” the Journey hit “Don’t Stop Believing,” the Grammy-winning Sam Smith song “Stay With Me,” the country hit “Tennessee Whiskey” originally sung by Chris Stapleton, and the rock classic “War Pigs” by Ozzy Osbourne.
The latter song on the 2023 album earned the most praise — even from the legendary rocker himself who hailed it as “the best cover of War Pigs ever.”
Will Other Celebrities Show Up to Ravens vs. Chiefs?
Swift, again, is highly anticipated to show up to the AFC title game.
However, she won’t be the only well-known name at the stadium.
The Ravens are bringing out their franchise legends for their first-ever home AFC title game in franchise history. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, two famed members of the Ravens’ last Super Bowl team in 2012, are scheduled to appear.
There’s more than just the Hall of Fame defenders. Left tackle Jonathan Odgen, who joined Lewis in winning the 2000 season’s Super Bowl title, is the honorary captain for the Ravens during the coin toss.
Anquan Boldin, who played wide receiver with Lewis and Reed, is another former Raven scheduled to appear as he’ll take part in the “Ravens Walk” interviews before the game.
Finally, one more distinguished Baltimore athlete will be in attendance: Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps, who is an avid Ravens fan.
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