New Orleans takes center on Super Bowl stage

The latest: The performance put New Orleans' culture, and especially New Orleans' Black culture, in the world's biggest spotlight.

• The funky rendition of "America the Beautiful" was arranged and performed by Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle.
• Jon Batiste sang the National Anthem, and Ledisi led the performance of "Lift Every Voice" with the Spirit of New Orleans Gospel Choir.
• The performance also included Terence Blanchard, Harry Connick Jr., Southern University's Human Jukebox marching band, the Soul Rebels and samples from Big Freedia and Boosie Badazz.

Fun fact: This was the first time in history that all pregame performers were from the game's host state.

Zoom in: During the show, Mardi Gras Indians danced alongside Southern University's drum majors and Dancing Dolls.

• Mardi Gras Indians, or Black Masking Indians, practice a unique cultural tradition rooted in New Orleans' Black community.
• While its origins are somewhat murky, many say the legend honors a relationship forged by south Louisiana's indigenous communities who were brave enough to take in enslaved people when they escaped bondage in the state's early days.

• Today's tribes sew by hand elaborate, colorful, immaculately beaded and feathered suits, creating a new one every year. They typically wear it just twice: once on Mardi Gras Day, and another time on what they call Super Sunday, which is tied to St. Joseph's Day.

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