Usher was one of the reasons many flocked to Las Vegas for his residency at Park MGM, and he will be back in the spotlight at another big show in Las Vegas.
The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Sunday morning that Usher will headline the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show on February 11, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This is the third year in a row that Roc Nation has participated in a Super Bowl halftime show.
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Usher will perform the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show
Usher’s songs and dance routines have made him one of the music world’s top entertainers. It’s the ideal combination for the halftime show, where time is short and fans need to be given a reason not to spend the entire break refilling their drinks or piling their plates with food for the second half.
Usher has an extensive catalog of hits to choose from… so what could we hear? Here’s a first guess, along with possible guest appearances based on these songs. I’ve also included my odds/percentages on each song we’ll hear.
Bonus question: Will Usher perform on skates? That works for his stay in Las Vegas, but I’m not sure it makes sense to skate if the show is less than 15 minutes. Chance Usher skates: 10 percent.
“Yes!”
That has to open the set, right? It is one of Usher’s signature tracks. It’s the perfect starting point. It’s full of energy and gives us the chance to see performances from Lil Jon and Ludacris. Probability of it being played: 100 percent.
“Confessions, Part II”
The NFL used the music video for this song, which featured appearances by Marshawn Lynch and Deion Sanders in separate commercials announcing Usher’s appearance. It might also be Usher’s biggest hit. There’s no way this isn’t enough. Probability of it being played: 100 percent.
“You don’t have to call.”
This is another track that looks like a lock. Early 2000’s Usher was the soundtrack for many who wanted to get out and have a good time, and songs like this are a big reason why. This was kind of an anthem for guys who were newly single. Probability of it being played: 95 percent.
“You make me Wanna”
Usher cemented his legendary status in R&B in the 2000s, but his breakthrough came in the late 1990s with hits like this one. It’s hard to imagine a Super Bowl set without it. For this reason, his album “My Way” is considered one of the best albums in the genre of its time. Probability of it being played: 90 percent.
“You remind me”
This is a hit from Usher’s “8701” album. Usher is attached to an ex-girlfriend who broke his heart while talking to another woman. He just can’t put her out of his mind to the point where he misses another chance at love. The pain is real, but it’s a catchy song. Probability of it being played: 80 percent.
“My way”
Another popular track from the album of the same name. The title alone is a metaphor for Usher breaking away from his youthful teenage image and embracing adulthood. It wouldn’t be my first choice for songs from the album, but I wouldn’t be mad at it either. Chance of it being played: 70 percent.
“DJ made us fall in love”
Not every R&B singer can make music for the club scene like Usher can. This is perfect for a late night in Las Vegas. It stars Pitbull and that could make for an entertaining appearance. Chance of it being played: 70 percent.
“OMG”
That wouldn’t be a bad choice to open the show either. It has the sound that some would expect at a nightclub on the Vegas Strip. Maybe it’s a decision to close things out. Chance of it being played: 60 percent.
“Scream”
This is a perfect club song. It’s another track that feels like it’s accompanied by strobe lights and good times. It’s not Usher’s classic R&B sound, but a snippet during a halftime show might be appropriate. Chance of it being played: 55 percent.
“Love in this club”
Another song that has the potential for a guest appearance on Jeezy. Like the other possible guests, it would have a reference to Southern hip-hop. We just need a reason to bring Jermaine Dupri on stage to make it a real Southern party. Chance of it being played: 50 percent.
“Do not waste my time”
This is a groove with Ella Mai. It feels like Usher from the early 2000s. He’s back with producers Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox and the samples – The Jacksons’ “Show You The Way To Go” and Hi-Five’s “I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)” – are top notch. Chance of it being played: 45 percent.
“My Darling”
Any chance we could get Alicia Keys on stage with Usher? They teamed up for this piece and there’s really no way to perform it without them. There are songs Usher could play without the featured artist, but this one wouldn’t make sense without keys. Chance of it being played: 30 percent.
“Little Freak”
Usher is in full Mack mode on this Polow da Don produced track. But trying to leave the club with two women might be too much for the NFL. Chance of it being played: 25 percent.
Slow traffic jams?
Mixing too many slow jams into a condensed show probably won’t keep the audience happy. So what could we be missing from some of Usher’s best slow songs?
- “Burn”: I hope I’m wrong about that. “Confessions, Part II” and “Burn” belong together. I’m just wondering how many ballads Usher will put together in a short set.
- “You misunderstood it”: It really depends on how lovesick Usher wants us to be at halftime when we hear this.
- “Nice and slow”: This is perfect for Usher’s stay in Las Vegas to get fans excited, but maybe not for the Super Bowl.
- “Here I stand”: I love the arc of this song, but it wouldn’t do it justice to squeeze it into the Super Bowl where we would only get a snippet.
(Top photos by David Becker and Kayla Oaddams / Getty Images)