Usher Confirmed As 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show Headliner
Usher and Roc Nation have confirmed—after heavy speculation and demand—that he will headline the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show, presented by Apple Music, at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.
“It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before,” said the 44-year-old in a statement. “Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I’ll see you real soon.”
Ursher used the viral opening meme from the “Confessions, Pt. II” music video to confirm the news with Kim Kardashian, Odell Beckham Jr., Marshawn Lynch, and Deion Sanders. Coincidentally, the Diamond-certified album turns 20 the month after the Super Bowl.
Jay-Z added, “Usher is the ultimate artist and showman. Ever since his debut at the age of 15, he’s been charting his own unique course. Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul. His remarkable journey has propelled him to one of the grandest stages in the world. I can’t wait to see the magic.”
When receiving that call from Hov, Usher told Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe, “When I got this call, he said, ‘it’s time, it’s magic time. You know, it’s time for you to have that moment.’ I’m like, ‘what are you talking about?’ He’s like ‘the Super Bowl.’ And it was like this was destined to happen.”
Usher reportedly kept the secret of his Super Bowl Halftime Show from his own children. This performance marks Roc Nation and the NFL’s fifth year in partnership to co-produce the event after striking a deal in 2019. Rihanna’s 2023 set was Apple Music’s debut as official sponsor of the show—following Pepsi’s reign—and is the most-watched halftime show of all time.
In tandem with this highly-anticipated announcement, the King of R&B also confirmed that his new album, Coming Home, will be released on Sunday, Feb. 11—the same day as Super Bowl LVIII.
Of the new LP, VIBE‘s August 2023 cover star explained that it will “have an honesty that’s necessary for men.” He continued, “There’s a truth in it because I think women will listen to it and be like, ‘I feel that way, too.’ I am speaking specifically to men or for men, though. I’m trying to make it clear that you’ve got to go through these things, and there’s nothing that we can do about it. Unfortunately, it’s the reality of what it is to be one. And we keep going through the same thing, we’re battling the same thing. Even if we’re happy, we’re battling the same issues, whether you choose to share it or not. We cope and deal with the same emotional stuff, we just don’t necessarily always have an outlet.”
The new album is titled Coming Home for a multitude of reasons. Ursher told Lowe, “So [it’s] a love letter once again to the legacy of my career. You know, I’ve been coming home in a lot of different ways. The choice of music and reconnection to some of the people that I’ve worked with from my past. And I always wanted to work with writers that I’ve actually made hit number one records with. In a sense, I’m coming home because I’m in that comfortable space. When you’re at home, you’re comfortable. When you’re at home, you feel connected, elevate, rise and inspire.”
He also believes his rejuvenated relationship with L.A. Reid is part of his homecoming. “I’m coming home. I’m back home with my team. You know, even when you see the artwork, you will understand it. When you see the peach. You get it. You understand where I’m from and what we’re doing. And also to what this means, the subtlety of that. But more than anything, it’s a celebration of music. Coming home in many other ways as you get more acclimated. When I put out more records and also to put more visuals, actually begin to really understand it. But I think that it is something to be celebrated,” Usher explained.
Previously released singles, “GLU,” “Boyfriend,” and “Good Good,” should appear on the new album.
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