Super Bowl halftime show performer announced: Usher
February's Super Bowl will feature Usher as its headline performer for the Apple Music Halftime Show. The announcement was made with a video featuring Kim Kardashian cut into the prelude for one of his music videos, Confessions, Pt. II.
Kim K. and Usher stans will love it.
Usher will perform at halftime of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/ERffBG5M5G
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2023
This will be the sixth show with Roc Nation involved in the production of the NFL's biggest entertainment product of the year, a run that has preceded Usher with Shakira/Jennifer Lopez, The Weeknd, Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg/Eminem/Mary J. Blige/Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna just last year.
This era of halftime shows has featured more true solo performances, with The Weeknd and Rihanna both going solo in their respective performances. In the 2010s, only The Who and Lady Gaga went solo, with the 2000s featuring four solo performances. It's unclear if Usher plans to bring any special guests, and we may not know until the lights go out and the performance starts.
Usher has not released a solo album since 2016, but with the halftime show often attempting to serve both modern and older audiences, his selection may be a chance to unite music tastes across generations. Despite his lack of new music, he's maintained relevance with a residency in Las Vegas and has one upcoming in Paris in 2024.