Nicki Minaj had the honor of launching the 2012 NBA All-Star Game with performances of her biggest hits but the more vocally capable Mary J. Blige was given the chance to sing the US national anthem. However, the situation only appeared good on paper because the diva was horribly out of her league with the tune.

Basically squealing her way through ‘The Star Spangled Banner’, Blige dropped the ball in every way possible. Furthermore, to add insult to injury, when she tried to salvage the situation at the end, the announcer spoke loudly over her final painful note.

Watch Blige’s performance of the anthem at the NBA All-Star Game below:

Blige is definitely a talented performer but this rendition highlighted every weak point in her singing. Her breathing is off, her belting is constricted, her range is sorely limited and she has no idea of how to adapt her voice to grand arrangements. In other words, Blige is shabby by almost every technical standard.

There is no question that Blige knows how to sing R&B tunes and find meaning in almost any song. Yet, she just doesn’t have the skill or the vocal capacity to go beyond that.

Forgive me for being harsh but I honestly thought that she was going to faint! Please throw her some honey and lime!

Thanks Sports Grid!

Thoughts?