Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris and Kane Brown honor Atlanta in pregame ceremony for the 95th MLB All-Star Game live on FOX
The 2025 Midsummer Classic will lead off with a star-studded pregame ceremony at Truist Park that includes performances from two of Atlanta’s hip-hop icons, Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris, country music all-stars Zac Brown Band and Kane Brown, as well as singer-songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith. The celebration will spotlight Atlanta’s rich musical legacy, with local artists delivering a powerful tribute to the city’s culture and contributions to music history, in addition to the traditional national anthem tributes.
Dupri and Ludacris will take the stage to introduce the 2025 All-Stars in a unique hometown tribute to honor the city’s influence on global music with a medley inspired by Atlanta’s most music stars. In the early ’90s, Dupri’s iconic So So Def Recordings carved out a signature Southern sound, pairing infectious bass lines with slick melodies. His songwriting has gained him membership in the exclusive Songwriters Hall of Fame and as a Producer has won numerous awards, including GRAMMYs and Song of the Decade. A few years later, Ludacris amplified that momentum with 18 top ten no. 1 hits, selling over 20 million albums and his Disturbing tha Peace label brought Southern rap to arenas worldwide, while his crossover into film and philanthropy spotlighted the city’s culture beyond music.
Together, their entrepreneurial spirit, chart-topping catalogs and relentless championing of local artists paved the way for Atlanta’s vibrant, genre-blending scene—and inspired the next generation to see the city as the pulse of modern music. The famed Clark Atlanta Mighty Marching Panthers and Essence Dance Line will join the “Welcome to Atlanta” duo for a high-energy performance to spotlight the beats, lyrics and culture that helped shape Atlanta into a music capital.
Country music sensation Kane Brown joins the festivities by paying tribute to musical pioneer Ray Charles with his own rendition of “Georgia on My Mind.” With 13 chart-topping No. 1 singles at Country radio, 2x RIAA Diamond Certified songs and internationally sold-out tours, Brown continues to garner a series of milestones that further expand country music and break musical boundaries. Known for his powerful voice and genre-blending sound, Brown plans to deliver a dynamic rendition that sets the tone for a memorable night.
“The city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia have been home to many influential recording artists. Major League Baseball is proud to showcase some of the incredible talent from this area as part of the All-Star Game festivities,” said Noah Garden, MLB Deputy Commissioner, Business and Media. “This celebration blends the passion of baseball with the pride of a region whose soundtrack has made such a profound impact around the world. Fans can tune in and enjoy a blend of country music and hip-hop performances that will help commemorate this year’s Midsummer Classic and honor the rich history of Atlanta.”
Members of the GRAMMY Award-winning Zac Brown Band will deliver a special performance that blends their signature Southern rock sound with heartfelt patriotism, singing the U.S. National Anthem. As proud Atlanta natives, the band’s appearance is a tribute to their hometown roots and a celebration of the city’s rich musical heritage.
Rising Canadian Singer and Songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith will honor her country in the singing of Canada’s National Anthem. With over eight million TikTok Followers, Lauren has paved her music career through viral TikTok hits, gaining international recognition with her self-released song "Fingers Crossed" and follow-up single "Narcissist,” and her sophomore album THE ART OF BEING A MESS out now.
The 95th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally on FOX, coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and TDA Sports; and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game, while Univision will provide Spanish-language coverage on radio. MLB Network and MLB.com will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage.
MLB All-Star Week includes the MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard (July 15th); All-Star Workout Day featuring the T-Mobile Home Run Derby (July 14th); All-Star Saturday featuring the All-Star Futures Game and the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game (July 12th); the MLB Draft presented by Nike (July 13th-14th); the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile (July 11th); and Capital One All-Star Village (July 12th-15th). For more information about MLB All-Star Week, including ticket information and updates, please visit allstargame.com and follow @MLB and on social media.