As Usher took the stage for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, he entered with the confidence of a seasoned artist with nothing left to prove. Over his impressive three-decade career, he has garnered significant goodwill and, in recent times, enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in cultural relevance. This resurgence can be attributed to his highly successful and sophisticated Las Vegas residency, catering to a more mature audience. Usher’s continued prominence is further fueled by a viral lo-fi moment that has resonated widely.
In a triumphant performance on Sunday evening, Usher seized the opportunity to headline a significant event, likened to achieving an EGOT for a pop superstar. With a declaration of overcoming past doubts and a heartfelt shout-out to his mother, Usher embraced this moment as a well-deserved capstone to his illustrious legacy. For devoted fans who have followed his journey since the days of “My Way” and “U Make Me Wanna,” the joy of witnessing this milestone was undeniable.
The performance, dubbed “rated U” according to Apple Music, admittedly felt chaotic and rushed for a significant part of its duration. Kicking off with “Caught Up,” Usher aimed to channel the vibrant atmosphere of Vegas, featuring an (over)abundance of background performers, including feather-adorned ladies, acrobats, and stilt walkers. While Usher stood out in his eye-catching all-white and sparkly ensemble, the camera editing contributed to a whirlwind effect, diverting attention away from the star right from the start. Additionally, the vocals and sound mixing in this segment left much to be desired.
In a previously reported turn of events, Usher brought some of his notable collaborators on stage to highlight his credentials. Alicia Keys made an appearance, performing snippets of her solo hit “If I Ain’t Got You” and their duet “My Boo.” Jermaine Dupri joined in for “Confessions (Part II),” while Will.I.Am collaborated on “OMG,” and Lil Jon and Ludacris rocked the stage for the inevitable finale, “Yeah.”
While the overall show may have seemed a bit scattered, Usher’s central message remains clear – he boasts an impressive array of hits, securing his position as the reigning King of R&B. Despite not being his absolute best performance, it was undeniably entertaining and a testament to his enduring star power. As “Yeah” brought the show to an energetic close, Usher and his collaborators transformed the visual theme into a glitzy football game, complete with costumes resembling football gear, pole-dancing dancers, a marching band, and the chorus jubilantly celebrating as if they had just clinched the trophy.