Announced back in September, the 2024 Apple Music LVIII halftime show headliner was eight-time Grammy winner Usher.
On Sunday night, the American singer, songwriter and dancer cemented his R&B legacy at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
“I’m gonna be very happy to be able to play that stage,” Usher said in an interview with CNN in November. “I’ve worked my entire life to be able to.”
The show started with nothing less than lights, camera and action, with dancers flying left to right and acrobats showcasing their skills throughout the opening. Usher entered in a white suit and cape singing “Caught Up,” the final single of his 2004 “Confessions” album.
The performance was a nod to his Las Vegas residency, as seen with the flashy Vegas vibes of the background performers who were adorned with feathers, studs and colors of the rainbow.
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Transitioning into “U Don’t Have to Call,” the star took to dancing the song away with the purple feather dancers, pausing before acknowledging his mother.
“They said I wouldn’t make it, they said I wouldn’t be here today, but I am,” Usher said. “Hey mama, we made it.”
But Usher was not the only artist performing at the Allegiant Stadium. Alicia Keys joined to sing her smash hit “If I Ain’t Got You” with the singer as a special guest during the halftime act.
Glittering in red, Keys played the piano right before they then launched into their 2004 duet “My Boo.”
The camera cut to Jermaine Dupri who engaged with the audience, telling them to “Bounce!” This celebrated the 20th anniversary of the “Confessions” album where Usher performed “Confessions Part II.”
In addition, H.E.R. collaborated with Usher on the guitar solos for his breakthrough song “Burn” as well as his hit “Bad Girl.”
Usher kept up an endless flow of tricks, entering the stage on roller skates as he performed his chart-topper “OMG” with will.i.am.
Rapper Ludacris and Lil Jon took the stage to perform “Turn Down for What” and “Yeah!.” Usher and his dancers changed the theme to a glamorous football game, filling the field decked out in black and blue football gear.
“I took the world to the A,” Usher chanted, ending the halftime show with the A-town stomp.
Other performers at the 2024 Super Bowl included Rapper Post Malone singing “America the Beautiful,” Andra Day singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and country music star Reba McEntire who opened the game with the national anthem.
