The teams are full, the Battle lines have been drawn, and now we’ve made it to the Knockout Rounds on The Voice. Each artist must once again face off against one of their team members. However, instead of singing in duets, each contestant performs a song of their choosing and watches as their competitor sings. However, only one can move forward to compete in the Live Shows. And after watching BD.ii and Kolby Cordell square up, we can tell you that we definitely don’t wouldn’t want to be John Legend right now.
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“Damn:” ‘The Voice’ Knockouts Have Begun
Kicking off Knockout Rounds on The Voice season 27, it’s clear that Team Legend members BD.ii and Kolby Cordell are not here by mistake. BD.ii, a former Hampton University basketball standout, gets things going with a soaring performance of Brian McKnight’s “Back At One.” Not to be outdone, Cordell followed with an epic rendition of “Lately” by Stevie Wonder.
“Hi guys, damn,” Adam Levine said, echoed almost immediately by John Legend and Kelsea Ballerini. “That’s quite a way to start it off.”
Speaking first to BD, Levine said, “I was so just transfixed, your whole performance. Obviously a great song, but you kind of gave it a little bit of a kick in the ass. I don’t know if I can say ‘ass’ on TV, but I’m saying ‘ass.’”
Complimenting Cordell’s raspy vocals, the Maroon 5 frontman added, “It felt like there was a little bit of strain in there from being tired. But I could feel how you were managing it, and you did an incredible job.”
Favoring Cordell’s performance, Michael Bublé said, “Kolby, if that’s you tired, then I’m getting three hours of sleep tomorrow… You told that story beautifully.”
After praising BD’s “swag,” Ballerini told Cordell that his tone was reminiscent of another longtime Voice staple. “It’s like that warmth and that smokiness… there’s a little Legend in there,” said the first-time coach. “I think you’re both so different, but so damn good.”
Who Will Move On to the Live Shows?
Ultimately, the decision rests with John Legend. And the “Ordinary People” had ample praise for both of them, although he admitted to feeling initial concern about BD’s song choice.
“The first time I heard you sing it, it just sounded a little flat,” Legend said. “I was like, I need more energy, I need more urgency, and you did all that you needed to do, but you also didn’t force it. You just sounded like you belong on this stage and on bigger stages.”
Tune in to The Voice at 8 p.m. Eastern Monday, March 31, on NBC to see who stays and who goes.
Featured image by Casey Durkin/NBC
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