Jon Batiste Gets Dragged For “Meh” National Anthem Performance: “That ‘Brave Wasn’t Brave At All”

Eh… it was fine. It was fine…

Super Bowl LIX just kicked off following a series of performances from Lauren Daigle with Trombone Shorty, Ledisi, the Human Jukebox Marching Band, and of course, Jon Batiste.

Jon Michael Batiste is a Louisiana native, and overall, an extremely talented dude. He seamlessly blends classical music with jazz, R&B, and pop into a unique style that’s unlike most of his contemporaries right now. He famously wrote the score for the animated film Soul, which he won a Grammy, Golden Globe and an Oscar for. His music has captured the hearts of many fans, just… not at the Super Bowl.

I mean, is it even his fault? Ever since Chris Stapleton performed 2 years ago, all national anthems for the rest of eternity are bound to suck… it’s just a fact of life.

Sorry Jon, you couldn’t carry Chris Stapleton’s jockstrap.#SuperBowl #NationalAnthem

pic.twitter.com/1EjSZCa39y

— Whiskey Riff (@WhiskeyRiff) February 9, 2025

Like I said at the top… it was fine.

I didn’t hate it at all, but the internet wasted no time going HARD on him. Check out some of the comments, they weren’t kind:

wtf is this john batiste national anthem. sounds like absolute dog shit

— Atreyu (@atreyutrader) February 9, 2025

idk i wasn’t satisfied with jon batiste and this national anthem rendition at the superbowl. #SuperBowlLIX #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/l3p1keXywg

— Brandon B (@BrandonBwins) February 9, 2025

Every time I see Jon Baptiste I roll my eyes! Why is he even up there pic.twitter.com/9WgyBijBDs

— Saint Roman (@patoispleasures) February 9, 2025

I love Jon Baptiste, but that last note pic.twitter.com/s2qJmgJGPE

— Cam Underwood (@UnderwoodSports) February 9, 2025

Jon Baptiste doing the Star Spangled Banner…

I guess. pic.twitter.com/eCViTxz8RI

— Petty Slimane (@LilAioli) February 9, 2025

Dear Jon Baptiste: Hell naw.

— Ke'Juan (@Kmojokes) February 9, 2025

I’m a fan of Jon Baptiste… that ending could have been better though…

— on the sleeve (@le_vre_johnson) February 9, 2025

Jon Baptiste…. hang it up cause you playing right now

— dai (brock purdy fanclub president) (@daibbyyy) February 9, 2025

Sorry but Jon Batiste wasn't great day the national anthem

— LM (@sctslss66) February 9, 2025

Sorry Jon Baptiste. That “brave” wasn’t brave at all boo. You tried to save it though, we heard.

— celebrityfanout2 (@RobertJSamuel) February 9, 2025

Jon Baptiste could have kept this shit.

— Fly (@OSoSwisherSweet) February 9, 2025

Jon Batiste, please never sing on my television ever again

— Rian Garcia (@Riguy_) February 9, 2025

I love you so much Jon Baptiste but I cannot abide a 4/4 Star-Spangled Banner

— em (@swaggajack) February 9, 2025

That Jon Baptiste rendition of #TheStarSpangledBanner is really poor and doesn't do the anthem justice…#SuperBowlLIX

— durhaws (@phuenowg) February 9, 2025

no shade jon baptiste just played in our face bad

— Shania • Smart Barb (@readtheroombb) February 9, 2025

Brutal… tough crowd, man.

You be the judge:

.@JonBatiste delivers a stunning performance of the National Anthem #SBLIX pic.twitter.com/YfM3oZn4Q0

— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2025