PARADISE, NEVADA (AP) — In a grand revelation jointly announced by the National Football League (NFL), Roc Nation, and Apple Music, Grammy-award-winning superstar Usher has been unveiled as the headline act for the 2024 Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII halftime spectacle.
Scheduled for February 11, 2024, the high-profile event will unfold at the Allegiant Stadium, strategically situated just beyond the confines of Las Vegas in Paradise, Nevada. Broadcasting live across the nation, CBS has secured exclusive rights to air this sporting extravaganza.
Expressing his elation at this monumental opportunity, Usher shared his sentiments: “It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before. Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I’ll see you real soon.”
This performance will mark Usher’s second Super Bowl appearance, following his memorable collaboration with the Black Eyed Peas during the 2011 halftime show, where he undeniably stole the spotlight and ensured the day’s success.
Presently, Usher is actively engaged in his My Way The Las Vegas Residency, a residency that has garnered effusive praise for his remarkable dance performances and the treasure trove of chart-topping hits he has amassed over his illustrious career. With eight Grammy Awards to his name and an impressive 80 million albums sold worldwide, Usher’s journey in the music industry began as a teenage sensation with his self-titled album in 1994. He has since delivered nine No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with classics such as “Nice & Slow,” “Yeah!,” and “U Remind Me,” alongside albums like the 2004 diamond-certified “Confessions.”
Returning for the fifth consecutive year to orchestrate the halftime spectacle is Jay-Z and his Roc Nation enterprise. In the previous year, Jay-Z achieved an Emmy victory in collaboration with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar for their epic and hip-hop-infused halftime performance. Notably, this year’s halftime performance, featuring Rihanna, who revealed her pregnancy during the explosive showcase, has garnered five Emmy nominations. Jay-Z himself is a nominee for two awards, including an historic nomination for outstanding directing for a variety special, which he shares with Hamish Hamilton.
“Usher is the ultimate artist and showman. Ever since his debut at the age of 15, he’s been charting his own unique course. Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul,” remarked Jay-Z, who has previously collaborated with Usher on tracks like “Hot Tottie,” “Anything,” and “Best Thing.”
“His remarkable journey has propelled him to one of the grandest stages in the world,” he continued. “I can’t wait to see the magic.”
The upcoming Super Bowl, slated to unfold in the Las Vegas vicinity, will mark the first instance of the championship game being hosted in this vibrant city. It is worth noting that the Super Bowl will transpire just one week following the 2024 Grammy Awards, set to occur in Los Angeles.
Seth Dudowsky, the NFL’s head of music, expressed his enthusiasm for the forthcoming halftime spectacle: “Usher is an icon whose music has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape throughout his career. We couldn’t be more excited to have him headline this year’s Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show. We look forward to working with Usher, Roc Nation, and Apple Music to bring fans another Halftime Show for the history books.”
Apple’s Vice President of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats, Oliver Schusser, chimed in: “We are so proud of what we were able to accomplish together with the NFL and Roc Nation last year, and now with the insanely talented Usher set to take the stage, we’re looking forward to another incredible Halftime Show from one of the world’s all-time greatest performers.”
The telecast of the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show will be produced by DPS, with Roc Nation and Jesse Collins serving as executive producers, and Hamish Hamilton taking on the role of director. This announcement has undoubtedly ignited fervent anticipation for what promises to be an unforgettable spectacle during Super Bowl LVIII.
