By MARIA SHERMAN (AP Music Writer)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Usher emerged at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium for the Super Bowl halftime present seated on a throne, joined by a marching band and a trove of Vegas performers — however stayed its middle.
It was a right away affirmation of his place as the perfect halftime performer: one with timeless, well-known hits, masterful choreography, and a loyal viewers.
He began with “Caught Up,” shifting into “U Don’t Have to Call,” “Superstar,” and “Love in the Club.”
Then Alicia Keys joined in entrance of shiny crimson piano for her music “If I Ain’t Got You,” which morphed into “My Boo,” Usher dropping a glove in an obvious tribute to Michael Jackson — notable for a efficiency throughout Black History Month.
“They said I wouldn’t make it,” he advised the gang, dedicating the set to his “mama.”
Across 13 minutes in the course of the halftime present sponsored by Apple Music, Usher introduced out a lot of company together with H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon (for “Turn Down for What,” which turned “Yeah!” — and included a visitor look from Ludacris).
Across three a long time, the R&B celebrity had an infinite treasure trove of hits to drag from — and did so with costume adjustments, and a rolling efficiency of “OMG” whereas sporting curler skates — at one second, sliding between will.i.am’s legs.
His album “Confessions” ranks amongst one of many best-selling music initiatives of all time and turned 20 this yr; “Burn” turned a straightforward efficiency spotlight.
Over the previous two years, Usher, 45, has made Vegas a house for his distinctive abilities, together with his sold-out residency, “Usher: My Way,” at Dolby Live at Park MGM making him the right choose for Sunday’s recreation.
The eight-time Grammy award winner can also be no stranger to the Super Bowl stage — he made a visitor look with Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am in 2011.
“I got a chance to see a bit of what it felt like,” Usher advised The Associated Press in a current interview. In his first Super Bowl efficiency, he descended from the stadium ceiling to carry out “OMG” in Arlington, Texas.
“Don’t take the moments for granted because you only get 13 of them,” he stated upfront of his 2024 efficiency, referring to the often 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.”
With a doubt — he found out precisely the best way to do exactly that.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”