Usher’s Super Bowl LVIII halftime show was a star-studded affair whose only sin was leaving the viewers wanting more. With the likes of Alicia Keys, H.E.R. Ludacris and will.i.am, the performance jam-packed its 13-minute airtime with a dizzying array of spectacular artists. Beginning with the 2005 hit “Caught Up,” one of the world’s most viewed stages was graced by Usher’s dazzling performance, with suave dancing and not a small amount of roller skating livening up the fray.
Opening with an eccentric scene of dancers in a variety of colorful and extravagant clothing, the eight-time Grammy winner sat upon a throne resplendent in a white suit and cape that drips royalty. As Usher began to sing, it became clear that this was not another lip-synced performance, as only a live one would do for the 2000s pop icon. His smooth dance style harkens back to a young Michael Jackson, complete with a bedazzled glove that serves as a focal point for much of his performance. A live marching band comes into focus, providing yet another layer to Usher’s top songs and making the halftime sensation increasingly energetic.
Moving from one hit to another, the scene features a wide range of backup dancers who threaten to steal the show, culminating in a show stopping moment that features “If I Ain’t Got You” singer, Keys. Mondo belts and soulful refrains fill viewers’ ears as the song plays, finishing with a beautiful harmony that would make angels cry. Yet this is not the last we see of Keys, as a swift transition brings the hip hop-tinged R&B song “My Boo” to life, seeing a sensual dance between the two stars. A final embrace between them led to the 2004 phenomenon “Confessions Part II,” dubbed by the Rolling Stones magazine as the “greatest R&B song of the 21st century.”
Following this, we see Usher sing flawlessly upon a stage that turns into a clock for “Nice and Slow” and then to a fiery image of dancing flames for his platinum song “Burn.” Soon after Usher turns up the Sex appeal to 11 as he performs “U Got It Bad,” exchanging his shirt for a bare-chested look that is as good on him as when he was in his prime. Sleek transitions found R&B singer H.E.R. stealing the show with a breathtaking guitar solo that introduces a skating motif that some may take as cringe, but in reality, shows the versatility of Usher’s capabilities.
Gliding along his stage, we see Usher change the color palette from a hot and heavy red and black to a silky-smooth blue which sees will.i.am.. join the already-stacked performance as he Raps his unforgettable lines in “OMG.” To round out the performance, the song “Turn it Down for What” features Lil John surrounded by a club-like scene, bringing the energy back up as it prepares for the final and ultimate Usher experience, “Yeah.”
The top song of Usher’s career, spanning 12 weeks on the Billboard Top 100, finishes out the eccentric and lively performance with rap star Ludacris being the final addition. Refrains of “Yeah” can be heard across the stadium, with the entire stage being filled with dancers grooving to the impossible-not-to-dance-to hit. Filled with gyrating hips and even a marching band that spells out “USHER,” the final performance ends a truly fun and exciting half-time show that will go down in history. For being Usher’s first and only halftime performance, it is truly a memorable one that was just as much fun to watch as the thrilling game in which it was showcased.
