Usher emerged at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium for the Super Bowl halftime show seated on a throne, joined by a marching band and a trove of Vegas performers — but stayed its center. It was an immediate confirmation of his position as the ideal halftime performer: one with timeless, well-known hits, masterful choreography, and a devoted audience. He started with “Caught Up,” moving into “U Don’t Have to Call,” “Superstar,” and “Love in the Club.”
Quick Read
- Usher’s Halftime Show: Usher confirmed his status as an ideal halftime performer with timeless hits and masterful choreography during his 13-minute set at the Super Bowl.
- Setlist and Guests: He performed “Caught Up,” “U Don’t Have to Call,” “Superstar,” and “Love in the Club,” with Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon, and Ludacris joining as guests.
- Tribute and Highlights: Usher paid tribute to Michael Jackson, dedicated his set to his mother, and showcased his diverse talents with costume changes and roller skating during “OMG.”
- Legacy and Residency: Celebrating the 20th anniversary of his album “Confessions,” Usher has established a successful residency in Las Vegas, highlighting his enduring appeal and versatility as an artist.
- Previous Super Bowl Appearance: Usher reflected on his previous guest appearance at the 2011 Super Bowl and expressed the importance of making the most of the 13-minute performance opportunity.
The Associated Press has the story:
Usher shines at star-studded 2024 Super Bowl halftime show
Newslooks- LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Usher emerged at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium for the Super Bowl halftime show seated on a throne, joined by a marching band and a trove of Vegas performers — but stayed its center. It was an immediate confirmation of his position as the ideal halftime performer: one with timeless, well-known hits, masterful choreography, and a devoted audience.
He started with “Caught Up,” moving into “U Don’t Have to Call,” “Superstar,” and “Love in the Club.”
Then Alicia Keys joined in front of bright red piano for her song “If I Ain’t Got You,” which morphed into “My Boo,” Usher losing a glove in an apparent tribute to Michael Jackson — notable for a performance during Black History Month.
“They said I wouldn’t make it,” he told the crowd, dedicating the set to his “mama.”
Across 13 minutes during the halftime show sponsored by Apple Music, Usher brought out a number of guests including H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon (for “Turn Down for What,” which became “Yeah!” — and included a guest appearance from Ludacris).
Across three decades, the R&B superstar had an endless treasure trove of hits to pull from — and did so with costume changes, and a rolling performance of “OMG” while wearing roller skates — at one moment, sliding between will.i.am’s legs.
His album “Confessions” ranks among one of the best-selling music projects of all time and turned 20 this year; “Burn” became an easy performance highlight.
Over the past two years, Usher, 45, has made Vegas a home for his unique talents, with his sold-out residency, “Usher: My Way,” at Dolby Live at Park MGM making him the perfect pick for Sunday’s game.
The eight-time Grammy award winner is also no stranger to the Super Bowl stage — he made a guest appearance with Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am in 2011.
“I got a chance to see a bit of what it felt like,” Usher told The Associated Press in a recent interview. In his first Super Bowl performance, he descended from the stadium ceiling to perform “OMG” in Arlington, Texas.
“Don’t take the moments for granted because you only get 13 of them,” he said in advance of his 2024 performance, referring to the usually allotted 13-minute run time. “The hardest part is trying to figure out how to squeeze it all in when you actually have a large catalog, or a lot of records people celebrate and love.”
Without a doubt — he figured out exactly how to do just that.
