What to expect from Usher's Super Bowl performance - roller skating to new songs
Fans don't have long to wait to see what Usher has been putting together for his highly-anticipated Super Bowl halftime show.
The R&B icon was announced as the headline act for the 2024 show in Las Vegas and he's said it's "an honour of a lifetime" to finally perform at the iconic event. Usher has kept his plans for the Super Bowl tightly under wraps, but he has been giving out little teasers to excite fans.
The 45-year-old said he's taken advice from the likes of Katy Perry and has been heavily influenced by Michael Jackson and Prince. Here are all the things fans can expect from Usher's halftime show.
Jay Z's crucial involvement
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Usher has been announced as the headline act for the Super Bowl halftime show (Getty Images)
Jay-Z helped choose the performer (Billboard via Getty Images)Jay-Z reached out to Usher personally to ask him to take on the task of headlining the halftime show. The rapper even chose Usher personally to be the star of the show.
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Speaking about the phone call that started it all, Usher admitted he "had an idea" Jay-Z would be calling. "I said 'what's up', and he said 'it's time'. It was 5 am, it was early, but Jay said 'this is the magic moment, this is the Micheal moment'," Usher explained.
Speaking to Club Shay Shay, the U Got It Bad hitmaker admitted he was "in denial" when he was first asked. During an appearance on Good Morning America, he added: "It took a minute, you know. It's kind of like an adrenaline high right?"
New songs
Coming Home is Usher's latest album (Getty Images for iHeartRadio)Ahead of the Super Bowl, Usher released his ninth studio album, Coming Home. The album is the first project Usher has released since Hard II Love in 2016.
The album features Usher's previous 2023 release “Good Good,” featuring Summer Walker and 21 Savage. The track reached No. 12 on Billboard‘s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart.
The singer said it was "strategic" to tie the performance in with the album. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, he said he was very excited for fans to hear Coming Home and get the "full album experience".
It's highly likely Usher will perform some of his new tracks at the Super Bowl. Speaking to Billboard, he teased: "I can tell you it will definitely be an event and there are special guests, with some of the new music that has been released, I’ve definitely considered new songs."
Roller skating
Usher has been roller skating at his Las Vegas shows (Getty Images for Dolby Live at Park MGM)Usher has promised to roller skate during his Super Bowl performance. He said he will be recreating a clip from his Las Vegas residency which went viral.
Speaking to Apple Music's Nadeska Alexis, he explained: "There's also two very special things that I've woven into this entire performance, things that speak to culture, things that speak to quality, things that speak to my creativity. As you know - skating - so the idea of being able to skate on skates that I created is something that I'm really looking forward to doing."
Katy Perry advice
Katy Perry previously performed at the Super Bowl (Kevin Mazur)As Usher set about devising his big performance, he turned to other professionals for advice, one of which was Katy Perry. The California Gurls singer performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2015. She invited singer Lenny Kravitz and rapper Missy Elliott as special guests.
"I've happened to be around a few people who've played the Super Bowl, and they did give me some pointers," Usher explained to Entertainment Tonight. He added: "I also happened to be on a boat not too long ago with Katy Perry, who gave me some notes."
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Michael Jackson and Prince inspiration
Michael Jackson has heavily influenced Usher's performance (AFP via Getty Images)
Prince also influenced Usher (Getty Images)Usher has been catching up on his Super Bowl knowledge and taking inspiration from previous performers. Two artists who influenced him in particular are Prince and Michael Jackson.
"Something about how Micheal [Jackson] came on the stage and Prince. Those two went out and set the precedence for what all artists I think wanted, in terms of celebrating your legacy, giving people a shocking moment, realising that you're in a stadium. Those two are highlights to me," he told the Los Angeles Times.
Michael Jackson performed at the Super Bowl in 1993. His performance helped boost the profile of the sporting event and caused viewership of the Super Bowl to increase between halves for the first time in the game's history.
Prince then took to the stage in 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. The show went down in Super Bowl history as he put on an incredible performance in the middle of heavy rainfall.
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