Once the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs recollect their breaths in the locker room at halftime, the Super Bowl then gets its chance to offer a breathtaking musical performance.
As part of the famed annual tradition of the big game, there will be entertainment in the middle of the NFL’s championship contest. Time to take a closer look at this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer.
A Closer Look at Usher’s Career
With the annual prestigious football game heading to Las Vegas for the first time, the city had fans preferring a widely popular music sensation with his own Sin City ties.
That’s how Usher Raymond IV enters the picture.
The 45-year-old R&B singer is known for his smooth vocals on slow jams “Nice and Slow,” “Let It Burn,” and “Moving Mountains.” However, his music can certainly become the life of the party.
Usher has produced club hits like “U Don’t Have to Call,” “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love,” “Yeah!,” and his 2014 hit “I Don’t Mind.” Usher is long considered one of the more versatile performers of his generation — one following an era that was dominated by Michael Jackson and Prince, two past Super Bowl halftime performers.
Usher’s career began as a youthful 15-year-old out of Atlanta. His debut album came out in August 1994 and was introduced to the music world via hitmaking producers Sean “Puffy” Combs, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and DeVanté Swing of Jodeci fame. Usher’s debut album cracked the Billboard 200 charts at No. 167.
Usher, though, rose to fame with his sophomore album in 1997, “My Way.” That album turned him into a household name in R&B with his aforementioned track “Nice and Slow” along with earning a Grammy nomination for “You Make Me Wanna…” The album is considered one of the more complete R&B works by many fans of the genre.
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Since then, Usher has branded himself as a singing and choreography king. Now, he’s earned his own Las Vegas residency where he performs his past hits to fans and attendees of his shows — hence his tie-in to Vegas.
He’s expected to bring an energetic element to Allegiant Stadium come Sunday when the Chiefs and Niners head off the field after the second quarter.
Who Else Could Join Usher at Halftime? Guest List Being Revealed
Usher follows Rihanna not only in the second halftime show produced by Apple Music but by keeping the current R&B theme going for the Super Bowl halftime show.
Unlike last year’s show, though, Usher is assured to have special guests on stage with him.
Who is anticipated to pull up to Allegiant? Here are list of names including those confirmed by other outlets.
- Alicia Keys: The R&B singing legend and piano player is expected to join Usher per TMZ Hip-Hop Friday. Keys performed alongside Usher for their 2004 hit duet “My Boo.”
- Justin Bieber: TMZ also reported that the Super Bowl halftime headliner contacted the pop singer Bieber to come to Vegas on Sunday. Before winning two Grammys, Bieber was first mentored by Usher when he was 13.
- Ludacris: The famed Atlanta rapper — best known for his hits “Southern Hospitality,” “Number One Spot,” and “Welcome to Atlanta” alongside fellow city native Jermaine Dupri — laid down the rap lyrics for Usher’s smash hit “Yeah!” in 2004.
- Lil’ Jon: The verbose hitmaking producer known for his widely loud catchphrases produced two smash hits for Usher: “Yeah!” and the much slower tune but highly revered “Lover and Friends” alongside Ludacris. No word yet on whether that track will be sung at Allegiant.
Usher has also produced music alongside iconic producer Will.i.am. The Black Eyed Peas frontman brought Usher on stage when BEP was the halftime performer for Super Bowl 45. There are theories from fans that there’ll be a reunion of both on Sunday.
Either way, Usher is planning to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime show for the big game.
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