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It’s been four years since Fergie’s rendition of the national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game went viral, and the meme still lives on. The pop singer’s unique take on “The Star-Spangled Banner” drew both criticism and amusement from viewers, and has since become a cultural phenomenon. Let’s take a look back at the Fergie singing national anthem meme and its enduring legacy.

The Performance

On February 18, 2018, Fergie took to the court at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to sing the national anthem before the NBA All-Star Game. What followed was a performance that was, to put it mildly, unconventional. Fergie’s sultry, jazz-inspired rendition of the song left many viewers scratching their heads, and some even laughing out loud.

Reaction was swift and merciless, with social media lighting up with comments about Fergie’s performance. “Fergie just wrecked the national anthem,” tweeted one user, while another wrote, “Fergie singing the national anthem is like me singing in the shower. Loud, proud and off-key.”

The Meme

Despite the negative reaction to her performance, Fergie’s national anthem quickly became a meme. Clips of the singer’s unique take on the song were shared widely on social media, and soon people were creating their own remixes and parodies of the performance.

One of the most popular remixes was created by YouTube user “Schmoyoho,” who turned Fergie’s performance into a catchy autotuned song. The remix, titled “Singin’ Like Fergie (The National Anthem Edition),” has over 10 million views to date.

The Legacy

So why has the Fergie singing national anthem meme endured for so long? Part of it is undoubtedly due to the absurdity of the performance itself. But there’s also something deeper at play.

As writer Tom Ley noted in a piece for Deadspin, the meme is “a reminder that the national anthem is a weird, difficult song that nobody really knows how to sing.” Ley argues that Fergie’s performance, while not technically proficient, is actually an interesting and creative interpretation of the song.

Responses from Fans and Critics

Some fans of Fergie defended her performance, arguing that she was simply trying to put her own spin on the national anthem. “I think she was just trying to be creative and do something different,” said one Twitter user.

But many critics were less forgiving. “Fergie tried to turn the national anthem into a jazz dance number and it failed spectacularly,” wrote one commentator. “There’s a time and a place for experimentation, and the national anthem isn’t it.”

The Takeaway

So what can we learn from the Fergie singing national anthem meme? Perhaps it’s a reminder that sometimes it’s okay to step outside of the box and try something new. But it’s also a cautionary tale about the importance of knowing your audience and respecting tradition.

As for Fergie, she has largely remained silent on the matter. In a statement released shortly after the performance, she said, “I love this country and honestly tried my best.” And at the end of the day, maybe that’s all that really matters.