Ahead of the first game, R&B duo Chloe x Halle took the field at Arrowhead Stadium where the pair lent their voices to the National Anthem before an empty coliseum due to coronavirus protocols.
Their performance came embedded with a tribute to the countless Black lives lost at the hands of the police officers. Chloe wore a white T-shirt with an image of Breonna Taylor. “Say her name” was written above Taylor’s portrait. Likewise, Halle donned a similar white T-shirt bearing the image of George Floyd,  with a message that read “Rest In Power.”

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Alicia Keys took to the socially distanced stage as well to perform her 2007 classic hit, “No One.” Keys followed that up with a debut performance of her new song, “Love Looks Better.” She shared the song via YouTube earlier that day. Backed up by a five-piece band and two back-up singers, Keys started her set off with a message.

“I think we got so busy, so used to flying so fast that we forget to look at each other. We forget to stay with each other. Listen to each other. We forget that my love looks better on you. So, tonight, let’s make sure we take the time to remember,” the 39-year-old said  as she played a grand piano before launching into the song. 

The Grammy-winning singer and pianist also delivered a moving rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” historically recognized as the Black National Anthem.

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Prior to the 2020 NFL kickoff event, Keys unveiled a new partnership with the NFL to launch a $1 billion endowment fund aimed at supporting Black businesses and communities. This comes one year after the league’s partnership with Roc Nation’s Jay-Z.

"The initial goal of $1 billion is to ensure a substantial commitment," Keys told Billboard. "Even with that it does not come close to closing the economic gap. The next steps are to reach out to different industries to invite them to invest in racial justice and create a multi-billion dollar endowment across business sectors.”

She also added, "There is an urgent conversation that is happening across businesses about the importance of investing in Black America. I’m personally committed to holding corporations and institutions accountable, and in my conversations with the NFL, they reaffirmed their commitment to racial equity.” 

Check out their stirring performances below.