By Reneé Medina

Even if you’re not an NBA fan, you’ve probably already seen videos of Brandy’s National Anthem rendition all over social media. And if you haven’t- let me bless your feed:

The NBA definitely has a history of “iconic” national anthem performances…just not always for the right reasons. Especially when it comes to overly ambitious arrangements, few moments are as infamous as Carl Lewis’s rendition of the national anthem at a 1993 game between the Chicago Bulls and the New Jersey Nets. The collective gasps from the crowd — punctuated by Lewis’s own audible “uh-oh” during the chorus — set the tone for a performance that has since gone down in history as one of the most notorious anthem renditions ever (aside from Fergie’s performance)!

In contrast, Brandy, alongside June’s Diary, a girl group formed from the show “Chasing Destiny” by Kelly Rowland and producer/choreographer Frank Gatson Jr, performed one of the most musically interesting renditions of the national anthem in a long time. The bar was truly set!

Traditionally sung in a 4/4 (balad) rhythm, Brandy opted for a 3/4 (waltz-like) rendition. Between the silky runs, the harmony stacking, and the signature R&B layering, viewers couldn’t help but get goosebumps from this performance. They turned into a whole spiritual experience! Music connoisseurs, especially, would appreciate this non-traditional performance, which felt like a mini concert!

However, it did spark debate among some users online. Regardless of differing opinions, there is no denying Brandy and June’s Diary’s exceptional vocal ability, nor the immense talent and preparation required to deliver such a powerful performance. It is undoubtedly one for the books!

The 2016 docuseries “Chasing Destiny,” which lasted for one season, aimed to find the next superstar girl group. To see more of the series, watch here. Currently, the active members of the group include Lyndriette-Kristal Smith, Shyann Roberts, Brienna Devlugt, and Gabrielle Carriero.

Known as “The Vocal Bible,” Brandy revolutionized R&B with her dense, jazz-influenced vocal layering, especially on her album “Full Moon.” She stacks multiple harmonies of tracks to create a rich, choir-like sound, similar to this rendition of the national anthem. Many of her arrangements feature intricate harmonies, dissonance, and suspension to add tension and emotion, with background vocals that act as countermelodies. Her innovative style has influenced modern R&B artists like Kehlani and set a new standard for vocal production.

Check out this national anthem compilation!