The Voice 25 Blind Audition: Maddi Jane Sings, Raps and Turns 4 Chairs
The Voice 25 premiere week continues Tuesday night on NBC (Feb 27) with more performances, including a passionate cover of 070 Shake’s “Escapism” from 24 year old Maddi Jane.
It took a minute, but eventually all four chairs turned for the singer. John Legend, Chance The Rapper and Reba McEntire were first, followed by double chair team, Dan + Shay.
“We got a rapper singer from Chicago here, and I feel like I’m at a disadvantage,” John remarked ruefully in the new preview clip. Rapper and Chicago homeboy Chance simply shrugged and threw up his hands.
“That was so fun to listen to,” said John. “And then when I turned around, so fun to actually watch you perform. You’re a star!” John added, “Having somebody with that level of confidence and stage presence, but also with the voice to back it up.” John noted that it was not easy to rap and sing. “All of that takes a lot of breath, it takes a lot of rhythm and flow.” he noted. “We don’t get a lot of artists like you on The Voice.”
Dan called the performance “incredible” and that “the rap stuff was super in the pocket” and that she “opened up her voice and the notes were perfect.” Shay joked that he was known as a rapper as well. Reba who has the “rap moves” vouched for him. Obviously, these two knew they had no chance to get Maddi on their team. They decided to have some fun in the meantime.
“Imma need just a little bit more than that, though!”
Believing he was the obvious choice, Chance didn’t even try hard. “Come on Team Chance. That’s all I got to say.” Maddi was having none of that. “Imma need just a little bit more than that, though!”
Chance agreed, “You deserve more than that!” He added, “I think the reason it took everybody a second to turn around is, one, we’re not used to rappers coming on the show. Because it is so difficult to rap and sing…there were a couple of moments where it felt like the breath control wasn’t there.” But, when she switched into her “full-on singing voice,” it’s when coaches began turning, he said.
“There’s an added bit of pressure that goes on the artist because they’re working so hard to get the chair turns,” Chance observed. “And instead of you kind of shrinking in or being distracted by it, you instantly started turning up.” He noted that she began working the crowd in that moment.
Chance believes they could be a good fit because he “likes to genre blend.” He added, “My whole job here is just to platform young artists and to give them the opportunity to tell their story.”
Reba confessed that her singing is what got her to turn. “I was so surprised you were getting down.” Reba pitched her long experience in the music business for why she’d be a good coach for Maddi.
Who will Maddi Jane choose as her coach? Chance seems like the obvious choice, but she could make a surprising pick! Find out when The Voice Premiere Part 2 airs on NBC Tuesday (Feb 27) at 8 pm ET/PT and also streaming next day on Peacock.
