NBA Fans didn’t exactly like how famous singer Brandy sang the USA’s National Anthem before the NBA All-Star Weekend made its start. Gaining inspiration from past tweaks, Brandy sang a more harmonious, R&B-inspired tone for the Star-Spangled Banner, absolutely shocking the Fans.
While NBA Fans clearly show love for Brandy, users like @soulfullybrave believe the singer had crossed the line.
The userwrote, “Love her down. But there’s just some Traditions that just needs to stay Traditional,” and the national anthem is one of those.
Love her down. But there’s just some Traditions that just needs to stay Traditional.
— Brave (@soulfullybrave) February 16, 2026
However, user @KissMyChasss argued that Brandy went completely normal in her unique rendition, responding with, “Never heard Marvin Gaye’s version? Like it’s tradition for black artists to make it their own for All Star.”
It is always a must for every NBA game to sing the Star-Spangled Banner, representing the league as one of America’s greatest leagues ever. And while NBA Fans are used to how the anthem is usually sang, mixed reactions quickly rise even if just one tone is changed from it.
“I respect her talent and gift but sometimes just sing the damn song,” one user wrote.
“Why can’t anyone just sing the normal Star-Spangled Banner anymore?” one user remarked.
“Wow this was generationally awful,” one user throwing shade at Brandy’s voice.
“I had to turn to a different channel til she finished,” one user wrote.
It isn’t new for NBA Fans for their singers to tweak the Star-Spangled Banner, and it isn’t new either that it’ll immediately gain polarizing reactions. Singers like Gaye and Whitney Houston have shaped the anthem to fit it their own way. Only the style has changed, but the patriotism and the message it conveys remains the same.
Still, NBA Fans hope that this wouldn’t be the final moment Brandy sings her tweak on their games. And given just how popular and proven Brandy is, chances are she will given the chance to sing in front of millions once more.
NBA Fans praise Brandy’s voice during All-Star Weekend
Despite NBA Fans pushing back on Brandy singing a more vibrant Star-Spangled Banner on Saturday, some couldn’t help but really admire how she delivered the anthem.
User @iamisokokid even pulled no punches waging war with another fanbase, writing, “This is what you call an artist, you Beyonce fans, who hate on every woman… and shout that song. Brandy… sung it that way a million times.”
Meanwhile, user @leroykubeka wrote, “She was trying to channel Destiny’s child.”
NBA Fans are far from divided behind Brandy’s unique tweak at the anthem. And sometimes, Fans will only feel that Brandy only received that shade because some refuse to acknowledge her talent.
