Usher is expressing his excitement to give his fans a major show in the upcoming Super Bowl which will take place February. During a conversation with Apple Music’s Alexander Zane Reed Lowe, the R&B singer admitted that performing on the big stage has always been on his bucket list.
“This is the most grand stage to ever play on man. Those 13 minutes mean everything it’s been on my bucket list for a long time. I’ve been asked plenty of times what are the benchmarks or what are the things that matter the most I guess to you, obviously its performing but being able to perform on that stage because so many amazing performers throughout the years have graced it and did an amazing job. So of course the obsession of that starts but man just the excitement in this moment like to really be able to savor this moment,” Usher said while reacting to the news of his upcoming performance.
As we previously reported, it was announced earlier this morning (Sunday) by The National Football League and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation that Usher will be headlining Super Bowl LVIII. During his interview he also shared what it was like getting called with the offer from Jay-Z himself. “I mean, you know, me and the big homie, we talk often. But when I got this call… he said, ‘it’s time, it’s magic time. You know, it’s time for you to have that moment.’ I’m like, what are you talking about? He’s like, ‘the Super Bowl.’”
Usher follows last year’s performance from Rihanna, who publicly showcased her second pregnancy during the Super Bowl LVII halftime show in Arizona. Nearly 119 million viewers tuned in.
“We are thrilled to bring Super Bowl LVIII to Las Vegas,” National Football League Executive Vice President, Club Business, Major Events, and International Peter O’Reilly said in a press release. “This city is a capital of sports and entertainment, always providing an incredible high-energy atmosphere for our events. We look forward to continuing the work with our local partners to provide an extraordinary experience for the Las Vegas community and show fans around the world what this city has to offer.”
Usher might have manifested this moment for himself because as we previously reported, back in April Usher spoke out on Twitter saying how he wants to headline the Super Bowl. Despite the countless hit songs he has, the R&B icon has never headlined a halftime show, but he says he’s ready to take on the challenge when the opportunity comes. While speaking with with “Access Hollywood’s” Scott Evans, Usher revealed what his answer would be if he was asked to perform at the Super Bowl.
“I’d be a fool to say no,” he said. “If things line up the way we would all hope, one day that moment would happen. I’ve had the opportunity to graze the stage before in support of ‘OMG’ with will.i.am, but that was one moment. I think I have a catalog that obviously speaks for itself, so to be able to celebrate on that day, it’s obviously about football, but everybody really anticipates the performance,” he added.
“Seeing Michael Jackson perform and recently seeing Snoop [Dogg] and [Dr.] Dre and all them perform, seeing so many incredible performances like Prince. It has always been kind of a bucket list.”