Super Bowl LVIII welcomed Usher, who started his halftime performance sitting on a throne-like chair, wearing a white cape. Usher emulated a king, ready to dominate Allegiant Stadium.
While Chiefs fans groaned about the first-half score, Usher opened the halftime show with his hit “Caught Up.” As the camera panned away from him, dozens of dancers could be seen in colorful outfits from bright red to purple to black. It looked like an ice cream truck threw up on the field as the green turf exploded in bouncing color.
Usher sang a mash-up of three of his songs before Alicia Keys sang her hit song “If I Ain’t Got You.” It was already confirmed she would join Usher on stage, so her presence wasn’t a surprise.
What was a surprise was the stunning bejeweled red dress she sang in which looked like something you would see at a Grammys red carpet. While sitting at a red piano, Keys’ dress had a cape attached to it that flowed out several feet behind her as she played the chorus of “If I Ain’t Got You.” Usher and Keys duetted “My Boo” which had everyone swaying back and forth as their vocals emitted a beautiful harmony echoed throughout the stadium.
Usher’s hypnotic dance moves are what kept everyone attentive as he captured the audience with his robotic movements. It was a good reminder as to what a double threat Usher can be. Usher went on to sing “Confessions Part II” and “Burn,” discarding his shirt, then tank top, making his show feel like a Magic Mike performance.
Starting with musical guests – and there were quite a few – H.E.R. strutted out playing a bright red electric guitar to “Bad Girl” as women on roller skates skated out a choreographed dance.
Usher re-entered the stage in an outfit change – a black and blue sparkly fit – wearing roller skates and sang “OMG.” The fact that Usher didn’t fall once on his skates had me saying “Omg.”
The most hyped moments from Usher’s performance were when Lil Jon, Ludacris and will.i.am rocked the stage with enough energy to get everyone out of their seats.
Lil Jon started on the field surrounded by fans as he screamed out “Turn Down for What.” Usher ended his halftime show with, arguably, his most popular song, “Yeah!” The quartet, Ludacris, Lil Jon, will.i.am and Usher, gave the fans what they wanted. Their performance made me scream and sing along with the biggest smile on my face.
Compared to last year’s halftime show, Usher maxed out on energy and gave viewers the surprise guests we speculated but didn’t know for sure were going to come out.
The nostalgia made the show worthwhile as the 2010s exploded in your face for 13 minutes.
