Part 4/4: Stephanie Fierce is Eternal
After Johnny clears the stage to make room for
"The Black Doves"; he heads over to the second stage that is placed to the right of the main stage; followed by The Rockers band who begin to tune up their equipment and make sure everything is properly placed. As 20 seconds are only allotted to make all of this happen; tension and pressure is up in the air for the band who hasn't played together in over 5 years. On top of it all; they were about to perform a song that is not only considered "political" but has caused one of the biggest divisions in modern America. Fierce was heavily involved in the decision of doing a new song called "This is America (Black Lives Matter)"; which was originally intented to be released in the summer of 2020 but she decided to keep the song from being released for a stronger impact. Fierce was also involced with including a segment that would at the very least honor Breonna Taylor and other black lives killed by police. When doing negotiations with NFL; the decision wasn't easy one to make due to the country's political history in the last 4 years and also due to their controversial past with football player Colin Kaepernick; the only trade off Fierce was willing to make otherwise she would not agree to the performance was for them to include this segment in which they eventually agreed at the cost that Fierce's team would pay for it.
The Black Doves are all seen wearing black robes with gold outlining to represent Fierce's favorite color.
As the Black Doves are all situated in their respective spots on stage. The entire stadium is drown out with darkness with very few lights shining throughout the stage. Trumpets are heard as stage lights now highlight "The Black Doves" choir which consist of 35 vocalists. The Black Doves begin singing and vocalizing the introductory verses to
"This is America (Black Lives Matter)".
The Following is then quickly displayed on the screen as they sing the introduction: "BLACK LIVES MATTER" Drumming and trumpets are heard from The Rockers and other musicians as The Black Doves vocalize.
"BLACK.LIVES.MATTER". The Black Doves sing as more trumpets go off in sound.
"ALL LIVES DON'T MATTER UNTIL BLACK LIVES MATTER.".
They finalize their chorus as the faces of many black lives lost are projected into the sky. During this projection we see the faces of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and many more.
As the introduction comes to an end, Fierce's hologram is reintroduced. Fierce is seen wearing a black dress with a pear/diamon necklace.
Stephanie Fierce: I wrote this song in a time when our country needed the most healing. This song gave me the courage to love myself and to remind others that we matter. Our lives are worth it. I'm going to have The Rockers help me out with this one.
A nervous yet confident Johnny Johnson steps up to the mic and starts singing the first verse of "This is America (Black Lives Matter)". As he sings; his eyes close shut as he focuses on his raspy vocals. He manages to deliver the verse the way it was intended and then looks over to the Stephanie Fierce hologram.
Johnny Johnson: "Terror in the eyes of a child who walks the streets
everywhere he shops they check his receipts
always being questioned,
always being told to leave
but all he wants is peace,
not be scared of the police
and all he wants is equality
not living life like an apology
But does he matter?
he doesn't they say
But what more of a price do we have to pay
before another innocent life gets taken away
The Stepahanie Fierce hologram is heard singing the pre-chorus and another verse. Due to the shortened version of the song; the song is sung in a faster pace. As she continues to sing lights move around the stage for a dramatic effect. Her raw pre-recorded vocals sound genuine and authentic, almost like she's actually there herself singing.
Stephanie Fierce: So I lift my voice to all
don't let them fool us all
Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter,
oh yes they do
and so I lift my voice
I lift my voice to you
Black Lives Matter,
oh yes they do
Young black woman...sanitized by all of the pain
constantly told that there's nothing to gain
her health watered down by fabricated bias
every time she's in pain, they walk right by her
if only she would have the privilege of a white man
to receive care, what we have to bear
After Fierce finishes her verses; The Black Doves step in to add on their layered vocals which bring out the emotional and cinematic feel the song has. The Rockers continue to also play behind them to keep the song going.
The Black Doves: This is America
land of the deceased
land of innocent convicted
land were we fear police
land of the evicted
This is America
This is America
and not what is should be
As The Black Doves finish their part, Fierce is now shown on camera as she sings emotionally into the camera. Her face looks sad as she sings. Johnny on the other side looks to the ground as he almost forgets its a hologram up there performing instead of his ex wife.
Stephanie Fierce: tears from faceless criminals
shackles disguised as bracelets
that's not who we are meant to be
Rise up like a king
you just have to believe
Black man can't be bold without being labeled aggressive
Black man can't be a king without being labeled possessive
but no matter what you're told
your skin is made of gold
more beautiful as it gets old
and no matter what you're told
never let them see you fold
As Fierce finishes the last verse; The Black Doves join with her serving as back up vocalists. Johnny joins the Rocker's lead guitarist to provide high adrenaline instrumentation.
Stephanie Fierce & The Black Doves:This is America
This is America
land of the deceased
land of innocent convicted
land were we fear police
land of the evicted
This is America, This is America, This America
Stephanie Fierce: Can you feel my pain?
Johnny Johnson & Stephanie Fierce: Cause, have you ever seen a black man get shot down?
Johnny Johnsons looks down as tears roll down his face. The audience begins to cheer him on as a way you cheer him up. He looks up wiping down his tear.
Johnny Johnson: All lives don't matter until Black Lives Matter. Thank you NFL. Another life that mattered, was the life of Stephanie Fierce. Thank you for always being you and for always doing what you were destined to do. You were able to live your dreams and now your dreams live within ours. We love you Stephanie Fierce". He says trying to pick up his tears; as he has hard time speaking into the mic.
The performance of the song comes to an emotional end. The screen goes black and a one minute video of Stephanie Fierce begins to play; showing her life in pictures. An instrumental of
"Where I Belong" begins to play as the pictures are shown.
Sounds like:
REST IN PARADISE. STEPHANIE FIERCE. As the video comes to an emotional end. The Superbowl stage is shown. In contrast to the performance this time the atmosphere is colorful and vibrant. Multicolored statium and stage lights are at full force as Stephanie Fierce and 100 background dancers behind her start the performance of
"Eternal (Rest In Paradise Mix)". Fierce pauses as the audience goes wild in roaring cheers.
"No crying allowed tonight ok!" she says smiling
"Superbowl 55 YOU READY. BAND! LET'S GIVE IT TO EM!!"
Immediately with no hesitation the band, the back up dancers, orchestra and back up vocalist get to work as the hologram of Stephanie Fierce leads in command to the vibrant high adrenaline routine of "Eternal". This version of the song seemed even more lively and vibrant than the original; serving a dramatic and climatic finish to the entire half time performance. Fierce is also heard singing extra adlibs and adding more runs than the original has.
"Giving you reasons to express your sexuality
find your passion baby don't let it die
don't waste a single second take my wisdom baby
you have to go and live your life
happiness in the air you can almost cry
but go ahead and wipe your eyes
you know this life is your destiny
you can be my partner in crime
You're beautiful, eternal baby
So fierce, so fearless baby
do it your way, you're regenerating
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
It's in you, its your life, don't stop your life
it's your right to be free,
You're eternal baby
It's in you, its your life, don't stop your life (your life)
it's your right to be free,
You're eternal baby
You're beautiful, eternal baby
So fierce, so fearless baby
do it your way, you're regenerating
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
It's in you, its your life, don't stop your life
it's your right to be free,
You're eternal baby
It's in you, its your life, don't stop your life (your life)
it's your right to be free,
You're eternal baby
we can find a way to live forever
If we can find a way to live forever
Put that on our legacy for life
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm eternal baby
we can find a way to live forever
if we can find a way to live forever
Baby we can rest in paradise
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
So influential, will live for generations
it's elastic, it's worldwide, no limitations
so great, its always exceeding your expectations
the baddest in the nation
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
So influential, will live for generations
it's elastic, it's worldwide, no limitations
so great, its always exceeding your expectations
the baddest in the nation
You're beautiful, eternal baby (lets go)
So fierce, so fearless baby (Whoo!)
do it your way, you're regenerating
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Stephanie Fierce: STAY WITH ME! It's in you, its your life, don't stop your life
it's your right to be free,
You're eternal baby
It's in you, its your life, don't stop your life (your life)
it's your right to be free,
You're eternal baby
Stephanie Fierce: WHOOOOO! LIGHT UP THE SKY!
we can find a way to live forever
If we can find a way to live forever
Baby we can rest in paradise
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm Eternal baby (we can it right)
we can find a way to live forever
if we can find a way to live forever
Baby we can rest in paradise
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
It's in you, its your life, don't stop your life (your life baby yeah)
it's your right to be free, (ITS YOUR LIFE)
I'M ETERNAL BABY!
STEPHANIE FIERCE: SUPERBOWL! It's in you, its your life, don't stop your life (your life baby yeah)
it's your right to be free, (ITS YOUR LIFE)
I'M ETERNAL BABY! As the song is coming to an end with the final chorus; fireworks begin set off into the sky as confetti begins to blow across the arena. The backup dancers going their absolute hardest at delivering their dance moves. You can see the sweat from their body's as they try to keep up with the production and the hologram. Fans are seen screaming overwhelmed with emotion as the entire stage is lit up with fireworks. Drones begins to form a shape of Stephanie Fierce in the sky. All of the dancers point to the projection of Stephanie Fierce as the performance comes to an epic end.
Stephanie Fierce: GOD BLESS AMERICA!