Usher to Headline Halftime Show at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas
Usher Raymond, the renowned singer and eight-time Grammy winner, is set to headline the halftime show at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, as announced by the National Football League (NFL), Roc Nation, and Apple Music on Sunday. This will be Usher’s first time starring in the prestigious show, and it comes in the second year of the NFL’s multiyear deal with Apple Music.
Expressing his excitement, Raymond said in a statement, “It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before. Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I’ll see you real soon.”
Interestingly, Raymond, 44, previously performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2011 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, alongside the lead act, the Black Eyed Peas. His rumored inclusion in this year’s halftime production gained traction after he extended his residency of shows in Las Vegas, which began in July 2022. This highlight also falls under the NFL’s partnership with Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s sports and entertainment agency, signed in 2019 to enhance the quality of halftime shows.
Speaking highly of Usher’s upcoming performance, Jay-Z stated, “Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul. I can’t wait to see the magic.”
Raymond’s appearance follows the memorable performances by Rihanna, who revealed her pregnancy on the Super Bowl stage last year in Glendale, Arizona, and the rap icons Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar, who paid homage to the Super Bowl’s return to the Los Angeles region in February 2022. Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and special guest 50 Cent also joined them at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
With 23 Grammy nominations, Raymond won his first Grammy in 2001 for the song “U Remind Me” in the category of Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. His popularity skyrocketed in 2004 with the release of his album “Confessions.” He last won a Grammy in 2013 for the song “Climax.” Aside from his music career, Raymond has also served as a coach on the game show “The Voice” and appeared in several movies. Currently, he is performing concerts in Paris.
Super Bowl LVIII is scheduled to take place on February 11, 2024, marking the first time the event will be hosted in Las Vegas at the Allegiant Stadium. The state-of-the-art $2-billion venue was built by Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis ahead of the team’s move to the city after the 2019 season.
Las Vegas was long overlooked as a market by the NFL due to its association with gambling. However, since the Supreme Court struck down the law prohibiting sports betting in 2018, the city has hosted the NFL Draft and the Pro Bowl, the league’s annual all-star game. Unfortunately, the city has also faced challenges with a string of high-profile player arrests.
With Usher headlining the halftime show, Super Bowl LVIII promises to be an unforgettable event that showcases the talent and energy of one of music’s biggest stars.