Like so many famous songs of yore, "The Star-Spangled Banner" started as a poem, called “The Defence of Fort McHenry.” It was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the War of 1812.

As such, it is appropriate to consider what the transition means for Black America, and how its musicians have interpreted the “Star Spangled Banner” during times of stress in our racial politics.

Jon Batiste will perform the national anthem at Super Bowl LIX. He performed the national anthem at the 2017 NBA All-Star ...

And the mercurial composer isn’t above a little pandering to the locals. His “Star-Spangled Banner” is a throwback to Puritan times, he claims, an attempt at highlighting the tune’s ...

As such, it is appropriate to consider what the transition means for Black America, and how its musicians have interpreted the “Star Spangled Banner” during times of stress in our racial politics.