The Vocal Bible and the national anthem? Yes please!

Brandy and R&B group June’s Diary gave the 2026 NBA All-Star crowd a memorable, voice-forward rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” delivering an arrangement that leaned on layered harmonies, call-and-response phrasing, and a lush R&B sensibility. The performance opened Sunday’s championship spectacle at the Intuit Dome and immediately became one of the weekend’s standout moments. 

The singer and the vocal trio transformed the anthem into a cozy, a cappella moment. Rather than a full orchestral backing, the piece relied on tight vocal arrangements and Brandy’s signature soft timbre. Brandy’s beautifully sweet performance relied on a choir-like blend that felt and reverent. The choice of an R&B-rooted treatment felt intentional, honoring tradition while offering listeners a fresh way to hear a familiar song with a sordid history. Brandy and June’s Diary’s voices seemed to float across the court.

Brandy’s harmonic delivery joins an elite list of artists who have reshaped the anthem on big stages — from Marvin Gaye’s soulful 1983 NBA All-Star rendition, which reimagined the song with gospel and soul groove, to Jimi Hendrix’s rock and roll version that shook Woodstock in 1969, artists who are rooted in their sound have shifted how audiences experience the song. Of course, there’s also the gold standard of Whitney Houston’s 1991 SuperBowl performance. 

June’s Diary, the girl group formed on Kelly Rowland’s BET series “Chasing Destiny,” joining R&B diva Brandy for the national anthem was such a refreshing and new way to experience the song, and what a beautiful way for the melodic singers to officially make it their own. This rendition is sure to resonate across generations.

One fan tweeted: “Brandy being the best thing of NBA All Star Weekend wasn’t on my bingo card...” and another shared: Wow - what an amazing, creative and beautiful version of the National Anthem at NBA All-star game. #Brandy and June's Diary - bravo! Brandy’s rendition landed with fans, as another shared: Brandy just turned the National Anthem, into an R&B Song!! That was an amazing rendition🔥🔥🔥