Hey fam, if you're anything like me and my crew, you've been buzzing with anticipation for Usher Raymond's turn to light up the stage at the Super Bowl LVIII Apple Music Halftime Show in Vegas. Yeah, yeah, we all tune in for the epic face-off on the field, but let's be real: over 110 million peeps worldwide were also on the edge of their seats waiting for Usher to drop those hit bombs.
And, fam, Usher did NOT disappoint. We're talking a performance so lit, it could only be Usher's doing. The man brought the house down with his singing, his slick moves, costume swaps, roller skating skills, and a lineup of special guests that read like a who's who of the music business: Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Ludacris, Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri, and Will.i.am.
Kicking things off in true Vegas style, Usher stepped out in a crisp all-white getup with "Caught Up," setting the vibe high right from the get-go. He rolled through "Superstar" and "Love in This Club," and then boom – Alicia Keys appears, perched at a piano (because, of course), belting out a piece of "If I Ain’t Got You." Then, in a stunning all-red Dolce & Gabbana number, she and Usher gave us a moment with "My Boo" that had us all in our feels.
But wait, there's more! Jermaine Dupri popped up to intro the iconic "Confessions" and "Burn," and just when you thought it couldn't get any better, H.E.R. slid in with a killer guitar solo during "Bad Girl." Will.i.am kept the energy sky-high with "O.M.G.," and you know it wouldn’t be a party without Ludacris and Lil Jon dropping in to rep ATL.
And can we talk about how Usher gave a one in a life time opportunity to Jonesboro High School from Jonesboro, Georgia? Not only did these kids get to shine in a Super Bowl commercial, but they also rocked the field during the halftime show. Talk about a dream come true!
Honestly, the only bummer is that time flew by way too fast. With a hit list as long and fire as Usher's, we could've used a few more hours. It was a phenomenal showcase of talent, and a proud moment for his Atlanta roots. Usher truly got the flowers he deserves, and we couldn't be prouder. What a legend, what a night!
Mimi Brown
"The soundtrack to your scroll”
Founder & Community Manager of Hip Hop Quotablz
Follow us for more content on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube: @hiphopquotablz