The Voice Season 27 – Episode 9 Highlights: Knockouts Begin
On March 31, 2025, The Voice unveiled episode 9, kicking off the Knockout rounds. This exciting segment showcased two performers from each team going head-to-head, all vying for a coveted spot in the Playoffs. Among the featured contestants were BD.ii and Kolby Cordell, both members of John Legend’s team. Each contestant aimed to deliver a memorable performance to stand out, but only one could progress.
Performance Highlights
BD.ii captivated the panel with a heartfelt rendition of Brian McKnight’s “Back at One,”while Kolby showcased his talents with a soulful interpretation of Stevie Wonder’s classic, “Lately.”The expert judges found it challenging to choose between the two, as both performances received high praise, complicating John Legend’s decision-making process. Ultimately, after careful consideration, John chose to advance BD.ii to the next round, bidding farewell to Kolby.
A Dramatic Decision
Just as Kolby seemed to exit the competition, Adam Levine and Michael Bublé hit their Steal buttons, eager to recruit him for their respective teams. In the end, Kolby opted to join Adam’s team, declining Michael’s offer.
Reactions from Fans
Following BD.ii’s knockout performance, fans across social media platforms expressed their admiration for his talent, particularly praising his vocal abilities and commanding stage presence. Many comments emerged on X:
“I’m proud of BD…keeping it lowkey and smooth with his voice! Let’s goooooo,”a fan wrote.
“BD.ii has that classic RnB vocal, sensual, creamy, liquid. It just flows so easily even when he puts his foot on the gas. Such a tender presence. Magical!”another fan commented.
“BD.ii is moving on to the live playoffs,”a netizen tweeted.
Fans Split on Performances
A faction of The Voice supporters felt BD.ii outperformed Kolby. Here are some reactions:
“I love BD’s rendition of a Brian McKnight song. He should advance to the Live Playoffs,”a user reacted.
“I wanna say BD did an incredible job of making this Brian McKnight song his own and delivered a great performance, BD won this knockout,”a person commented.
“After BD.ii and Kolby’s knockout, I think I might as well lean towards BD.ii, even though both are talented and deserve to advance. At the end of the day, only one can go through…”another fan wrote.
“Okay, BD sounds better, but they might give it to Kolby because his voice is more mainstream,”a netizen commented.
Kolby Cordell’s Double Steal
Many among The Voice audience praised Kolby for securing a double steal:
“AND we have 2 coaches use their STEAL for #KolbyCordell Welcome him to his new coach and #TeamAdam #VoiceKnockouts Congrats Kolby!”one user posted.
“What a way to kick off night 1 of the #VoiceKnockouts than with a double steal. Kolby does deserve to be in the Live Playoffs,”a person reacted.
Insights from John Legend
During rehearsals, John Legend informed both BD.ii and Kolby of his strategic intent to coach them in such a manner that would prompt the other judges to consider stealing one of them, thereby allowing him to retain both talents in the competition. BD.ii chose to perform the Brian McKnight song to challenge himself, while Kolby aimed to deliver a new flavor with his interpretation of a familiar Stevie Wonder classic.
In the aftermath of their performances, Adam noted he was “transfixed”by BD.ii, comparing Kolby’s voice to a unique find. Coach Kelsea Ballerini praised Kolby’s vocal “smokiness”while emphasizing that BD.ii appeared “more ready”for the Playoffs.
Michael, while countering Adam’s view on Kolby’s voice, appreciated its natural rasp. John Legend acknowledged the depth of both contestants’ performances but ultimately advanced BD.ii, citing:
“I picked BD.ii because he’s soulful, has great control, and has proven to be one of our best vocalists. I am thrilled to have him on my Playoff team.”
Fans can catch up on all the action from Season 27 of The Voice, which is available for streaming on Peacock.