![Jon Batiste’s revamped Super Bowl song showcased his wife’s artwork and paved the way for upcoming music. Jon Batiste’s revamped Super Bowl song showcased his wife’s artwork and paved the way for upcoming music.](https://uslive-mediap.uslive.com/2025/02/79327836-ae1009a318214a51984db2c45203c474-super_bowl_football_26477.jpg)
NEW ORLEANS — Jon Batiste elevated the Super Bowl stage into a realm of artistic expression, unveiling new music, offering a fresh interpretation of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and highlighting his wife’s creative contributions.
During his performance of the national anthem held at the Caesars Superdome, Batiste played a piano that featured a colorful butterfly painting created by his wife, Suleika Jaouad. The inspiration for this artwork came to her while they were working on the documentary “American Symphony.” The combination of her creative vision, the city’s perseverance following the New Year’s attack, and the memory of his late grandfather who served in the military deeply influenced Batiste’s performance.
“This was powerful. The spirit came over me,” Batiste expressed following his impactful Super Bowl appearance. He then announced the launch of “My United State,” a two-track musical project that incorporates “Star-Spangled Blues” and “Notes from My Future Self.”
“It’s the first time in history that samples were included in the anthem,” noted Batiste, a Grammy and Oscar-winning artist originally from Louisiana and former bandleader for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” “We almost couldn’t clear the primary sample I wanted until the night before.”
At 38 years old, Batiste’s updated rendition of the anthem draws inspiration from “Drag Rap” by The Showboys, more famously known as the Triggerman beat, which is a hallmark of New Orleans bounce music and hip-hop culture. Through his performance, he aimed to showcase the vibrant cultural heritage of the city while putting his personal touch on a song that first graced the Super Bowl stage in 1967, performed by The Pride of Arizona, the Michigan Marching Band, and the UCLA Choir.
Over the decades, the national anthem has been reinterpreted by iconic musicians like Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Billy Joel, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga.
“It’s a lot of pieces to the puzzle,” Batiste added. “They all come in different tempos and melodies. It’s a myriad of components that wouldn’t work together without being framed by American ideals. My goal was to encapsulate this in an arrangement that resonates through sound.”
In an interview, Batiste shared his thoughts on his wife’s resilience, his latest music, an impending tour, and a festival that promises to leave a significant musical impression on New Orleans.
Batiste’s wife, Jaouad, demonstrated remarkable resilience through her painting. While working on “American Symphony,” inspiration struck not just through the documentary, but also on canvas. One of her vibrant creations—a butterfly—epitomizes the “power of resilience, delicate beauty, and grace,” according to Batiste.
Jaouad’s artwork adorned both the piano and bench during the Super Bowl performance.
“It’s a balancing act of duality,” he explained, speaking about witnessing Jaouad’s creative journey during “American Symphony,” which won a Grammy for best music film. The song “It Never Went Away,” also featured in the documentary, won the award for best song written for visual media. He expressed gratitude for their collaboration and pride in Jaouad, who is currently battling cancer for the third time.
In December, she announced her diagnosis via social media.
“She is unlike anyone else, radiating light from within,” Batiste praised. “When you look into her eyes, you see her dedication. I am thankful that she has not only survived but also transformed her experience into something transcending merely making the best of a bad situation.”
He elaborated, “This goes beyond turning a negative into a positive. It feels like a blessing, albeit a strange thought.”
As Batiste worked on “Notes from My Future Self,” several themes resonated with him: the journey back home, the national anthem, and the wonderment of his six-year-old self.
“This project brought together so many thoughts from my subconscious,” he revealed, reflecting on his creative process as a seven-time Grammy winner. “It united various stories and emotions—what would my younger self think of the present moment? How does connecting with that inner child inform my music?”
The upbeat track serves as a self-empowerment anthem for both himself and others. Batiste described its creation as a significant artistic journey.
“When you hear the song, it’s me reaching out to my younger self,” he conveyed. “But it can also resonate with anyone reflecting on their younger self. At times like these, healing and staying grounded in our true selves is crucial. We must revisit our youthful perspectives.”
He noted that the musical foundation came to life in discussions with director Alan Ferguson, a frequent collaborator. Their vision combined spoken word, poetry, and hip-hop to promote “radical causes, positivity, and openness.”
“It’s a celebration of life,” he stated. “The natural evolution of my artistry is a move into a new realm. When everything aligns, I know I’m headed in the right direction.”
Looking ahead, following his Super Bowl performance, Batiste plans to create visuals for “Notes from My Future Self” and embark on a concert tour.
While specific details are yet to be released, he aims to present fans with new music alongside selections from “Beethoven Blues (Batiste Piano Series, Vol. 1),” a reimagining of the esteemed German composer’s work.
“You’re in for a treat with my upcoming performances,” Batiste teased.
Before his national anthem performance, Jon Batiste infused the New Orleans 9th Ward with joy and a sense of community.
His He Gets Us Presents Jon Batiste’s Love Riot Festival transformed the grounds of George Washington Carver High School into a vibrant celebration of music, hope, and action, showcasing plans for a future sports field for local schools.
“I wanted to create something that reached the overlooked areas, highlighting the foundations that draw people to New Orleans in the first place,” Batiste explained.
In partnership with Sing for Hope, he collaborated with 10 New Orleans artists to craft hand-painted pianos, which were displayed around the 9th Ward as an open invitation to the festival. Afterward, these colorful instruments will find permanent residences in schools and community centers, ensuring that the spirit of music continues to thrive long after the festival ends.
“The greatest service we can provide is to give to others rather than take,” he emphasized. “It embodies a holistic approach. While I feel privileged to perform at the Super Bowl, I also aspire to leave a lasting legacy that benefits my community and hometown.”