"The Usher Concert."

Sey
Feb 20, 2024
4 min read

Happy Black History Month Movers! We're 20 days in and I hope everyone has learned and/or witnessed some Black History. Speaking of Black History, Usher performed at his first Super Bowl concert as the headliner. If you missed out, go ahead and sit back and relax. This is #TheMove for details on the Super Bowl Halftime show aka the Usher concert.

It was announced towards the end of 2023 that Usher would be the headline performer for Apple Music's half time show at Super Bowl LVIII (58). After Rihanna's performance last year, I know Black people had to be feeling goodt (at least I was) about the back to back nods to Black artistry. The Super Bowl was held in Las Vegas, NV this year which also doubled as the venue for Usher's popular residency. Usher has a plethora of hits. There's no telling what he had in his arsenal for us.

I conducted a small poll amongst my fellow Super Bowl party attendees (shoutout Jakiah), to figure out what song people thought Usher would open with. "O.M.G" ft. Will I. Am, "Yeah" ft. Lil John and Ludacris, and "Bad Girl" were the leading guesses. Some other good suggestions were "Hey Daddy" and "U Don't Have to Call". One person specifically said, "He's going to bring out an old school song. I don't know which one he's going to do but it's going to be old." They were right!

Usher kicked off the electric performance with acknowledgment to his beginnings in the industry. His first song was "Caught Up" followed by "U Don't Have to Call". With flashy dancers and a microphone that was ON, Usher had gained the audience's attention (at least at the party he did). Usher was giving hella energy and gyrating his hips like his life depended on it. It was only right he start giving us sexy vibes before his first duet with none other than, Alicia Keys. the two were looking cozy and definitely set the vibe for their song, "My Boo".

Usher with his boo courtesy of @ballerbossez

Alicia wasn't the only guest that Usher brought with him. Jermaine Dupri shortly appeared to kick off the song "Confessions" and H.E.R. even took the stage as a guest guitarist for "U Got It Bad". She looked gorgeous as you'd imagine a pretty girl killing the guitar would. Usher then brought members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., a fraternity in the National Pan-Hellenic Council aka the Divine 9, to shimmy with him. HEY INDYS! How cool is that?! The show concluded with Ludacris, Lil John, and Usher showing the A some love, performing the hit single "Yeah".

Usher did the thing! Despite being considered "older" for a performer, the 45 year old didn't miss a beat. He was singing and dancing with a live microphone for majority if not all of the performance. He had an outfit change and went shirtless. His abs had everyone screaming and hyping him up. Ursher baby had something to prove that night. Needless to say he put on a show. Usher even took a trick out of his Vegas residency show and included some stripping poles and a roller skating segment. Is your fave doing that?! Roller skating as you perform choreography and sing is next level entertaining if you ask me.

Usher and H.E.R. — Courtesy of @ballerbossez

At first, I was a bit disappointed Usher didn't do more, but I had to be realistic. This was supposed to be a Halftime Show not an Usher concert. I really wanted to hear more songs, but Usher gave his all in this performance. Hitting hard notes while keeping up with his choreographed routines is something new artists are still practicing now. Usher did something incredible. He, "turned the world to the A", but most importantly, he showed Black artists that they can do anything they put their minds to. They can achieve insane, large goals and be in rooms that are the top of the top. In the beginning portion of his show, Usher briefly talks about overcoming his struggles. "They said we wouldn't be here baby." "God answers prayers!" Usher is another testament to longevity when you put the work in. He has been in the music industry for years and has consistently been working at his craft. Regardless of if you like the guy or not, you can't knock the hustle.

In true dramatic Usher fashion, he also released tour dates and promoted new cities being added for his "Past, Present, Future" tour. Did I mention he has a new album, Coming Home, too? That man has been working.

Coming Home album cover — Coming Home courtesy of @usher

What do you think Movers? Did Usher put on a show or was it mid? Did he have you screaming with glee or screaming at your girl to sit down and relax? You can watch the full half time show here on Youtube! What do you think #TheMove will be next?