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.
Shadhaya had this to say about the show:
Usher’s halftime performance with Alicia Keys at the Super Bowl has people saying he should apologize to Swizz Beats for how intimate their dancing was is ridiculous
Usher has no reason to apologize, if anyone is to apologize it’s Alicia Keys for disrespecting her husband. Everything Usher did with Alicia, she allowed it, wanted it and enjoyed it
Swizz Beats has nothing to get mad about, he knew the kind of woman he was marrying. Women in the entertainment industry are flirty, thirsty
Most probably she once had a thing with Usher back in the day. And as the goes, a woman never forgets her fling, it’s only a matter of the right situation and good conversation, boom they can chew each other again
