Usher Dazzles at Superbowl Halftime Performance

Meghan Boucher ‘27 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

Adorned in a bedazzled white robe and flanked by Las Vegas performers, Usher set out to entertain at Allegiant Stadium for Super Bowl LVIII’s halftime show. And entertain he did.

The legendary R&B artist kicked off his performance with “Caught Up” from his 2004 album Confessions. From there, Usher drew the audience in with his impeccable choreography and contagious energy. After dancing through some more of his greatest hits, the camera panned to Alicia Keys. Dressed in all red, Keys was on the keys, playing the piano to “If I Ain’t Got You.” Usher joined in and the duet put on an electric rendition of “My Boo.”

But Keys wasn’t the only guest Usher brought on to the stage. As the show continued, H.E.R, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon, Ludacris, and more artists joined Usher in carrying out his iconic discography.

The show was star-studded, but Usher shone the brightest. Donning a pair of roller skates, Usher glided onstage towards the end of the performance. With a quick costume change to a blue and black suit that sparkled under the stadium lights he ended the show with his 2004 hit “Yeah.” 

The only downside to his energetic performance might just have been the energy itself. It was fun and vivacious, but it felt rushed. Usher went from song to song, outfit to outfit, roller skates to sneakers, in seconds. It was whiplash inducing. It seemed like the already established legend was trying to prove his legacy, but the truth is, he didn’t have to. The performance showcased just why Usher has been on the cultural conscience for nearly three decades. If anything, the performance could have been improved by letting the audience take time to enjoy all the talent Usher has to offer. 

When he was announced as Super Bowl LVIII’s halftime performer a lot of people took to social media saying maybe it was past his prime. With the majority of his hits being from the early 2000s, many thought this performance would have been better received 20 years ago. But the King of R&B proved them all wrong. 

With live vocals and impeccable dance moves, Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime show was one for the history books. It proves why his career has been going strong for nearly 30 years and solidified his status as an icon in the music industry.