The NFL set the internet ablaze on Monday with theories that a recording of Alicia Keys‘ halftime appearance was pitch-corrected before its release on YouTube.
Keys dazzled as the first guest of Usher’s Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show on Sunday, beginning her performance with “If I Ain’t Got You” seated at a red piano with a massive matching cape behind her.
In the opening note of the song, many fans heard Keys’ voice crack. Clips of the vocal stumble spread across the internet, but many later noticed it was missing from the official recording of the performance later uploaded to YouTube.
Online, many fans presented evidence of the change with side-by-side edits of the live show and pitch-corrected recording.
Reps for Keys and the NFL did not immediately respond to The Hollywood Reporter‘s request for comment.
Keys’ husband, music producer Swizz Beatz, defended his wife on Monday, writing that fans are “talking about the wrong damn thing !!!”
“Y’all don’t see that amazing dress covering the entire stadium,” he said. “Tonight’s performance was nothing but amazing with 2 amazing Giants ! Congrats @usher and my love @aliciakeys that song is a classic. We don’t do negative vibes on this side we make history.”
After “If I Ain’t Got You,” Keys stayed onstage to perform her and Usher’s 2004 single, “My Boo.” Later in the show, stars Jermaine Dupri, will.i.am, H.E.R., Lil Jon, and Ludacris took turns joining Usher onstage.
For more information, check out the original article on the Hollywood Reporter.
