Super Bowl Headliner Revealed: What Can You Expect from Usher's Performance
It’s still too soon to know what two teams will be playing in Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024. However, we already know that it’ll be Usher headlining the halftime show. Everyone with Super Bowl tickets will not only attend the biggest sporting event of the year but also witness the highly anticipated halftime show starring Usher. As a veteran of several tours and a few Las Vegas residencies, Usher is a natural fit to perform at a Super Bowl that’s taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. It doesn’t hurt that Usher tickets have been in high demand for two decades. As usual, it’s okay to have high expectations for the Super Bowl halftime show, so let’s take a look at what fans can expect from Usher’s performance on the biggest stage of all.
Not His First Rodeo
First of all, Usher may be the headliner at the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show, but this won’t be his Super Bowl debut. During the halftime show at Super Bowl XLV in February 2011, Usher was a special guest of the Black Eyes Peas. He joined will.i.am on his song “OMG.” That gives Usher a little bit of experience performing for such a big event. Of course, he will be the headliner this February, something he has called “an honor of a lifetime.”
What Are Usher’s Credentials?
It's hard to find anyone who isn’t familiar with Usher. He’s been a major recording artist for nearly three decades, yet he still looks like he could be a new, up-and-coming act. Born Usher Raymond IV, his debut self-titled album came out in 1994, a couple of months before his 16th birthday. His second album, My Way, was also released while Usher was still a teenager and became his breakout hit.
Over the last 30 years, Usher has sold roughly 80 million records worldwide. He has released eight studio albums, not including his latest album, which is entitled Coming Home and will be released the same day as his Super Bowl halftime performance. In addition to selling tens of millions of records, Usher has won hundreds of awards. Most notably, he has received more than two dozen Grammy nominations, winning eight times, doing so most recently in 2013 for his song “Climax,” which won Best R&B Performance.
Usher has proven to be far more than a singer. He’s well known for his dance skills, which should be on full display at the Super Bowl. Usher has also done a little acting throughout his career. He made his film debut in the 1998 movie The Faculty while also appearing in other notable movies like She’s All That, Scary Movie 5, and Hustlers.
How Long is the Halftime Show?
In recent years, the Super Bowl halftime show has lasted anywhere between 12 and 15 minutes. However, Usher has already stated that his performance will end up being around 13 minutes, which is comparable time-wise to past shows.
What Songs Will Usher Perform?
Unfortunately, fans have no way of knowing what songs Usher will perform during halftime of the Super Bowl until he starts performing them. Of course, it’s fair to speculate what songs could be on the setlist, especially since most performers do a medley of at least five songs, with some doing close to 10. In a way, it might be fitting for Usher to perform “OMG” just as he did at the Super Bowl in 2011, especially if will.i.am is able to join him on stage.
With such an incredible catalog, Usher has plenty of choices. His hit “Yeah” would certainly seem to fit the moment. Songs like “U Remind Me,” “My Boo,” and “U Don’t Have to Call” are also possibilities. Slightly older viewers may appreciate Usher performing some of his older songs like “Nice & Slow” or “My Way.” Also, since he has an album coming out the day of the Super Bowl, it would make sense for Usher to include one or two songs from the new album, especially the first single, “Good Good.”
Who Will Join Usher on Stage?
Most Super Bowl halftime show has special guests who aren’t always announced beforehand. Usher knows that as well as anyone from being in that position once upon a time. Naturally, who will join him depends on what songs Usher chooses to play and vice versa. As mentioned, if he performs “OMG,” it could require will.i.am to join him. His newest single, “Good Good,” is a collaboration with 21 Savage and Summer Walker, so they will surely be on the radar as potential guest stars.
His song “Yeah” was done with Lil John and Ludacris. The song “My Boo” featured Alicia Keys, who would surely be a perfect guest star at the Super Bowl. The likes of Jay-Z, P. Diddy, Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, and countless others have also collaborated with Usher throughout his amazing career. In a way, it doesn’t matter who joins Usher on stage at the Super Bowl because it’s bound to be a star-studded occasion and has a chance to be among the best Super Bowl halftime shows in recent memory.