Did fans give it a “Yeah!” or preferred to allow this halftime performance to “Let it Burn?”
Usher got the chance to light up the stage at halftime of the San Francisco 49ers‘ and Kansas City Chiefs‘ tight Super Bowl 58 contest on Sunday. Sure enough, his 13 minutes on stage at Allegiant Stadium sparked some online conversations, including one past Super Bowl winner calling it one of the better halftime performances in history.
Richard Sherman Among Fans Chiming In on Usher’s Show
Usher rolled with a Las Vegas-like theme for his show. Flamingo dancers dressed in the famed peacock feathers were among the stage performers.
From there, Usher stood on a lit-up stage and even got on roller skates to entertain the crowd.
Much of the anticipation for his show involved Usher starting his set with his club smash hit “Yeah!” There was a snippet of the song to start, but the song officially became the last of the night as he lured out friends Lil’ Jon and Ludacris.
Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris perform "Yeah!" at the Apple Music #SuperBowl Halftime Show pic.twitter.com/YzTLyYWHIK
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 12, 2024
Afterward, the comments rolled in, including from Super Bowl-winning cornerback and Amazon Prime analyst Richard Sherman.
“Usher killed that! Was one of the better performances I have seen,” Sherman posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
CBS Sacramento news and sports reporter Andrew G. Haubner was in the press box when Usher performed. He caught this scene.
Man, talk about a SHOW.
Usher Raymond, ladies and gentlemen. pic.twitter.com/aKCLPRhbWt
— Andrew G. Haubner (@A_G_Haubner) February 12, 2024
Apple Music, which sponsored the halftime show, also gave a rousing reaction.
“30 years of hard work led to this moment! Thank you for the performance of a lifetime,” Apple posted.
Was Everyone Entertained? Other Fans Shared Mixed Reviews
Not every viewer was pleased with Usher’s halftime show. Some believed this was a show that could’ve happened years ago.
“He did it 10 years to late. He’s washed,” one fan posted.
Another fan turned their attention to the sponsor for the performance.
“Think we coulda done a little better apple,” the fan shared.
One more fan wasn’t impressed.
“Nah. This was terrible,” the fan shared.
Still, Usher and Apple were given a multitude of praise. Some were glad that Usher, Lil’ Jon, and Ludacris were back together again.
“Usher, Lil Jon, and Ludacris being together again literally felt like the avengers assembling for the first time in a decade,” the fan shared.
Usher Also Paid Tribute to Past Iconic Halftime Performer
Turns out Usher was doing more than just trying to boost his streams or have his moment in the halftime.
He honored one of his major influences, Michael Jackson. Usher wore an iconic glove Jackson once wore on stage. As it turns out, Usher’s performance came 31 years after Jackson’s legendary performance at Pasadena between the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills.
Usher pays tribute to Michael Jackson at the #Superbowl with his moves, iconic single white glove and “Can You Feel It“ sample. pic.twitter.com/BdeIj6t479
— MJ Access (@AccessMJ) February 12, 2024
Usher also brought out some other special guests outside of Lil’ Jon and Luda. Grammy-winning singer and guitarist H.E.R., Atlanta hip hop producer Jermaine Dupri, and Will.i.am — who brought out Usher for the Black Eyed Peas’ SB performance in the 2010 season — were among the special guests.
MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play
Immediately after his performance, Usher took to X to help promote his next album.
Stream my new album, #COMINGHOME, now on all platforms | https://t.co/JjPVHIyiO7 pic.twitter.com/bDTNm5c7gd
— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) February 12, 2024
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