According to The Hollywood Reporter, rumors flew on Monday that Alicia Keys’ performance was pitch-corrected before being uploaded on YouTube.
Keys stunned as Usher’s first guest on his Half Time performance on Sunday.
She kicked things off with a performance of “If I Ain’t Got You” at a red piano, rocking a huge matching cape.
Her voice cracked in the song’s opening note, and clips of it spread like wildfire across the internet.
Alicia done lost her fucking keys, wtf was that?? pic.twitter.com/pz1Ufr3GhF
— KB? (@kisseswithkam) February 12, 2024
and
Were the Keys in the room with us. Alicia? pic.twitter.com/y8RJtPS0i3
— Bunifa Latifah Halifah Sharifa Jackson (@POPOFFSON_) February 12, 2024
However, this vocal stumble was missing from the version of the performance that was uploaded.
Many fans showed side-by-side edits comparing the pitch-corrected recording to the live show.
Last night Alicia Keys’s voice cracked (first video), and fascinatingly, the official NFL YouTube channel appears to be attempting to erase that little moment, having edited it out in their upload (second video). pic.twitter.com/EM4k8rWT8c
— Robert Komaniecki (@Komaniecki_R) February 12, 2024
Alicia Keys Rocked At The Super Bowl Regardless
Last night Alicia Keys’s voice cracked (first video), and fascinatingly, the official NFL YouTube channel appears to be attempting to erase that little moment, having edited it out in their upload (second video). pic.twitter.com/EM4k8rWT8c
— Robert Komaniecki (@Komaniecki_R) February 12, 2024
Alicia Keys’ hubby, Swizz Beatz, defended her on Monday, insisting that fans were “talking about the wrong damn thing !!!”
“Y’all don’t see that amazing dress covering the entire stadium. Tonight’s performance was nothing but amazing with 2 amazing Giants ! Congrats @usher and my love @aliciakeys that song is a classic. We don’t do negative vibes on this side we make history.”
After performing the song, Keys remained onstage to perform her hit 2004 single with Usher, “My Boo.”
After Keys, Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon, H.E.R., and will.i.am joined Usher on stage.
