Ludacris, Chris Stapleton Reimagine ‘In the Air Tonight’ for ‘Monday Night Football’: Watch

Billboard has exclusively announced that Ludacris, Chris Stapleton, and Cindy Blackman Santana will join forces for the opening of Monday Night Football's signature broadcast. They will perform an electrifying rendition of Phil Collins' iconic 1981 hit "In the Air Tonight." Ludacris expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating that working with Chris and Cindy to infuse a fresh energy into Monday Night Football was a thrilling experience.

As the new opening for Monday Night Football, Stapleton and Blackman Santana arrive in a vehicle with a stage showcasing her drum set and Chris' silhouette. A microphone is then brought out, and Ludacris delivers the opening verse, rapping, "Monday night magic/ Closing out the weekend/ Luda on the mic/ It's football season!" before Blackman Santana strikes the unmistakable drum fill from "In the Air Tonight."

ESPN VP of Production and Executive Producer Julie McGlone shared that adding Ludacris to the legacy of the Monday Night Football anthem brings a new dimension to the creative experience, continuing the celebration of the intensity, anticipation, and shared emotion of American sports culture.