Alicia Keys' Super Bowl Voice Crack: NFL Edits Out Imperfection, Sparking Debate on Live Performances

The NFL seems to have edited Alicia Keys' vocal flaws from its new published YouTube video, so her famous "voice crack" at the Super Bowl is no more.

During Usher's thrilling halftime show on Sunday, February 11, the 43-year-old music artist made an unexpected cameo appearance. After the R&B singer concluded his 2008 song, 'Love in This Club,' Usher introduced Keys, who gave a brief performance of her 2003 hit song, 'If I Ain't Got You,' as per The Independent.

Alicia Keys' Super Bowl Controversy

(Photo : Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: (L-R) Usher and Alicia Keys perform onstage during the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Alicia Keys' halftime show performance at Super Bowl LVIII has stirred up controversy as fans raise concerns about potential editing to conceal a voice crack during her rendition of 'If I Ain't Got You.' The debate gained traction when social media user Mariz posted a video comparing the live performance to the edited version on the NFL's YouTube channel, suggesting an attempt to downplay the incident.

In the video, Mariz accuses CBS and the NFL of trying to sweep the voice crack "under the rug" and questions the authenticity of the edited version on the official NFL YouTube channel. The video has garnered over 711,000 views, with viewers praising Mariz's imitation skills and expressing skepticism about the editing of live vocals.

While Mariz humorously points out the perceived attempt to conceal the voice crack, commenters on the video discuss the intricacies of editing live performances and commend Mariz for her detective work. The controversy brings attention to the challenges of presenting flawless live performances, especially during high-profile events like the Super Bowl halftime show.

During the performance, Alicia Keys began with 'If I Ain't Got You,' where she experienced a noticeable voice crack on the first note. Despite the initial misstep, she recovered seamlessly and continued to deliver a flawless performance throughout the rest of the song and her duet with Usher, "My Boo," according to Daily Dot.

Usher's Halftime Show Hits 7 Million Views

Usher's halftime show, featuring a medley of his hits and surprise guest appearances, has received over seven million views on YouTube and is trending at number five. Fans on social media, primarily on the X platform, previously Twitter, expressed mixed reactions to Alicia Keys' momentary voice crack, with some jokingly questioning if she had "lost her keys."

Fans expressed disappointment with the audio quality of the halftime show, specifically mentioning perceived issues in Alicia's performance and the transition between songs. Despite the minor issues, Usher's appearance received high praise from many fans who admired his looks, smooth dance moves, and overall performance.

The eagerly awaited Super Bowl LVIII took place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with the Kansas City Chiefs emerging triumphant in a nail-biting overtime clash against the San Francisco 49ers, ultimately prevailing with a score of 25-22.

In a stunning turn of events, the Chiefs managed to put together an impressive comeback, leveling the game in the final quarter and ultimately clinching the victory with an outstanding touchdown from Mecole Hardman, thanks to the exceptional skills of MVP Patrick Mahomes, Daily Mail reported.