Nelly Furtado is trending this week on social media for her unique rendition of Canada’s national anthem “O Canada” at the NBA all-star game on February 14. While some fans were amazed by her take on the country’s national anthem, some were clearly not impressed.
Nelly Furtado’s O Canada rendition slammed by NBA All-Star fans https://t.co/S0OHzsqo2o pic.twitter.com/bsL4KIMty0
— CBC News (@CBCNews) February 15, 2016
Furtado and Ne-Yo kicked off the NBA all-star game, performing their countries’ national hymn. Furtado, 37, sang a slow version of “O Canada” and was accompanied by Native American flutist Tony Duncan on an instrument made by Saskatoon’s Richard Dube.
Watch Nelly Furtado’s Rendition of ‘O’ Canada’ at All-Star Game
Audience at the Air Canada Centre cheered after Furtado sang, but televiewers took to Twitter to slam the singer for her rendition of their national anthem. CBC Toronto asked its Twitter followers for their opinion on Furtado’s performance, and many were upset and disappointed because it seemed the singer was not able to give justice to the song.
Listening to Nelly Furtado sing “Oh Canada” @ #NBAAllStarTO like: pic.twitter.com/NHsWyfREyw
— Dan Hanna (@UCDan) February 15, 2016
Listening to Nelly Furtado sing the national anthem was like having hemorrhoids in your ears and a cat using them as a scratching post.
— Danko Jones (@dankojones) February 15, 2016
Nelly furtado’s citizenship should be revoked for that performance. #nellyfurtado #nelly
— dem_crumblies (@dem_crumblies) February 15, 2016
Nelly Furtado did good in my opinion. What’s the big deal? #nellyfurtado
— Tarone Hopkins (@RealTarone) February 15, 2016
One Twitter follower called it the “worst rendition ever!” while another said he felt “betrayed.” ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon also reacted to the singer’s performance tweeting, “Is Nelly Furtado having a breakdown? That’s about the worst performance of the Canadian Anthem I’ve ever heard…”
Is Nelly Furtado having a breakdown?
That’s about the worst performance of the Canadian Anthem I’ve ever heard…— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) February 15, 2016
However, some fans were delighted to see Furtado on the court singing “O Canada” and they believe the “I’m Like a Bird” singer did a great job for keeping the melody slow and the accompaniment simple. The Canadian singer has over 20 million albums sold worldwide but she has been quiet on the music scene lately.
@tresbanging commented: “I love that @NellyFurtado opted for simple accompaniment for her performance.”
“My girl Nelly Furtado just nailed the national anthem at the NBA Allstar game! #NBAAllStarTO,” Twitter user @docchrisblair wrote.
My girl Nelly Furtado just nailed the national anthem at the NBA Allstar game! #NBAAllStarTO
— Christopher Blair (@docchrisblair) February 15, 2016
Before Furtado showcased her unique vocals, Ne-Yo performed a low-key version of the U.S. national hymn “Star Spangled Banner.”