Some incredibly misguided people had their doubts when the multiplatinum, eight-time Grammy winner was announced as the halftime artist for America's biggest football event, even though he was coming off a sold-out Las Vegas residency. But Usher went on to prove himself as a historic R&B icon.
But it wasn't just the star-powered appearances from Lil' Jon and Ludacris for"Yeah!" or Alicia Keys for"My Boo" that made the show such a unique Super Bowl performance: Usher actually seemed to be ... singing? Where most artists opt for lip-syncing, Usher appeared to be using live vocals for the majority of the show.
, a Grammy winner. It was almost an homage to Michael Jackson — with the white suit and gloves, and the moonwalking. Then there was"Love in This Club," a wash of nostalgia. After"U Don't Have to Call" and"Super Star," things started heating up with"If I Ain't Got You" and"My Boo," when none other than the effervescent Alicia Keys was unfurled from a red scarf, singing at a red, mermaid-tail piano.
Then there was"Let It Burn," the highlight of the show — and not just because when he took his shirt off, practically everyone in the joint lost their minds. There was Usher, dancing on roller skates in an outfit evoking an R&B Power Ranger in extremely expensive Nikes. It's honestly something you never thought you'd see this year, but it's as welcome as an oasis in the desert or a joint after a hangover.
It seemed like it couldn't get better until you heard the easily identifiable voice of Lil' Jon, because who else could yell"Turn down for what?" without getting punched in the face? Of course, we were expecting the inimitable rapper to show up, because who would expect Usher to perform the Super Bowl without singing"Yeah!"? And then fucking Ludacris comes out in football pads.
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