Social media blows up as Usher welcomes his superstar friends and skates his way to Super Bowl Halftime Show history, including Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, will.i.am, and finally Lil Jon and Ludacris for a show-stopping performance of “Yeah!”
As excited as fans have been in anticipation of Usher taking the stage for the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show, speculation began immediately as to who he might invite to join him on the big stage. There is, after all, a tradition of surprise guest stars.
When the show began, it was definitely channeling the host city with Vegas showgirls, contortionists and what looked like representation from every show on the strip. But while his moves were on point and what we’ve come to expect, the audio wasn’t nearly as strong.
A lot of this came down to technical issues — especially at the top — with his mic, but throughout we found ourselves straining to hear his voice consistently over the music. Everything just seemed unexpected quiet.
Usher Full Halftime Show Performance at the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/5AGdbQRS4n
— Craig R. Brittain (@RealBrittain) February 12, 2024
@RealBrittain
We definitely were on board with the spectacle of his performance, with all of those dancers at the top and then a full marching band coming out to join him as he brought “Love in this Club” to life. It was also a clear nod to Michael Jackson with that single white glove and sample from “Can You Feel It.”
Alicia Keys joins Usher for a gorgeous duet.Phenomenal.#UsherBowl #HalftimeShow #SuperBowlpic.twitter.com/4ufXFO2Ziy
— Victoria Brownworth (@VABVOX) February 12, 2024
@VABVOX
Quickly, it became clear that the vocal issues were with Usher’s mic or sound because when Alicia Keys was unveiled standing behind an incredible modern-art piano, she sounded incredible (and appeared to have more volume than he did).
Jermaine Dupri came out to help Usher celebrate the 20-year anniversary of “Confessions Pt. 2,” and with the shift to a more traditional stage and presentation, Usher’s sound improved.
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With a traditional big band behind him, this started to look like a more traditional Vegas residency as Usher literally started to strip down, losing his shirt. We also got a quick appearance by will.i.am, though he appeared to just be there to move things along.
Usher paid tribute to his idol Michael Jackson during the Super Bowl Halftime performance and used “Can You Feel It” sample.
#SuperBowlLVII #SuperBowl2024 pic.twitter.com/iziTBhKBZE
— Ash| fan account (@mediaaccounnt) February 12, 2024
@mediaaccounnt
H.E.R. was his next guest, joined by roller girls as she showed off her guitar skills and overall talents for a few moments while Usher pulled off a quick change and got himself onto a pair of roller skates. Say what you want, performing and dancing and singing on skates is no joke!
Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris perform “Yeah!” at the Apple Music #SuperBowl Halftime Show pic.twitter.com/YzTLyYWHIK
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 12, 2024
@THR
Lil Jon came out for another interstitial to ask if we were ready to “Turn Down for What” as Usher lost the skates to get back to more traditional dancing before they reunited for “Yeah!” — which, let’s be honest, is what most people were waiting for — alongside Ludacris.
While there was online chatter and hope that Usher convinced Justin Bieber to join him for this Halftime Show, he ultimately didn’t need him at all. This show gave us everything and more, lighting up social media with accolades and excitement from celebrities and fans (and celebrity fans) alike!
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WE LOVE YOU USHER!!!!!!!!!! All day 🫶🏾
— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) February 12, 2024
@KekePalmer
HELL YEAH @Usher U BETTA HAVE DA ATL REPRESENTING AT #SuperBowl2024 🔥🤴🏽🤑🏈🔥
— Vivica A. Fox (@MsVivicaFox) February 12, 2024
@MsVivicaFox
Wooow @Usher YOU JUST KILLED THAT SHIT!!! How YOU FEEL?! pic.twitter.com/hgA9kuOX1f
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) February 12, 2024
@Lesdoggg
Usher! That’s it 🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️#SuperBowl2024
— Danielle Brooks (@thedanieb) February 12, 2024
@thedanieb
USHER !!!! The Crusher!!!!!
— Danny DeVito (@DannyDeVito) February 12, 2024
@DannyDeVito
Man, y’all say what the hell y’all want but @Usher done turned this Super Bowl Halftime Show the hell out. What a job! What a job! That was a damn good job!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) February 12, 2024
@stephenasmith
All the hard work led to this.. @Usher you absolutely SMASHED IT! #SuperBowl AHHHH!!! BLESSINGS BRO!!! 🙏🏽🙌🏽♥️ pic.twitter.com/f1JqpMrpKr
— Brandon Perea (@BrandonPerea) February 12, 2024
@BrandonPerea
Wow Usher’s Super Bowl halftime was amazing, but doing his dance moves in roller skates was beyond legendary.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 12, 2024
@funder
Luda, Lil John, and rollerskates
sorry i doubted you, Usher pic.twitter.com/xJNxlsV2lp
— Morgan Tremaine (@MorganTremaine) February 12, 2024
@MorganTremaine
Usher with the Drumline, during BLACK HISTORY MONTH🔥🔥🔥🫡#HalftimeShow pic.twitter.com/KTPxvywtzl
— Bingo Bango (@B1ngoBang0) February 12, 2024
@B1ngoBang0
Ludacris, Lil Jon, and Usher right now pic.twitter.com/0duhs9rcjZ
— Overtime (@overtime) February 12, 2024
@overtime
I’m here to say to ALL my fellow Millennials (and myself) — DO NOT BUY ROLLERSKATES. YOU (AND I) CANNOT DO WHAT THE 45-YEAR-OLD USHER RAYMOND DID.#SuperBowl #UsherBowl #USHER pic.twitter.com/dgnTlCJJbW
— Clayton Davis (@ByClaytonDavis) February 12, 2024
@ByClaytonDavis
YES USHER & friends!!!! Thanks for bringing us 90’s kids back to our grade school/high school days🤩🤩 #SuperBowlLVIII that was too much fun🙌💕
— Kristen Alderson (@krisalderson) February 12, 2024
@krisalderson
Usher at the Super Bowl halftime pic.twitter.com/USieL51Dig
— ibou (@teamibou23) February 12, 2024
@teamibou23
Usher ripped his shirt off, roller skated on stage, killed it with iconic songs, and just doing the MOST AND loved every moment of it. What a performance!! pic.twitter.com/WhaaSOveYi
— CJ Johnson (@cjjohnsonjr) February 12, 2024
@cjjohnsonjr
