Usher Has Waited His ‘Entire Life’ to Play Super Bowl Halftime: ‘I’m Not Coming to Disappoint’
Written by djfrosty on September 25, 2023
Usher was announced as the performer for the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday, and he’s ready to give the performance of a lifetime.
Following the news of the “Yeah!” singer’s halftime show, Usher spoke with CBS Mornings on Monday (Sept. 25) and revealed that performing for the big game is something he’s hoped for since the beginning of his career.
The Grammy winner kicked off the interview by revealing the phone call he had with Jay-Z after finding out he was slated to be next year’s Super Bowl performer.
“It’s a surprise that no one in the house can know,” he shared, setting the scene. “So my kids don’t know, my mom can’t know, my brother can’t know, my family can’t know and I gotta keep this a secret. So Jay-Z calls and he’s like, ‘It’s your time. This the magic moment.’ My girlfriend is there. … I’m like, ‘It’s happening’ and she’s like ‘No way’ and he’s like ‘Way.’ The hardest part is the suspense and keeping it a surprise for that time, because my kids were like, ‘Dad, you should play the Super Bowl! There’s a petition online!’ You know what? You gotta speak these things into existence. We knew literally days before the announcement.”
Playing the Super Bowl has been a dream for Usher that he’s worked diligently to make happen. “Thirty years ago I made a commitment to offer my best, and here 30 years later, now it’s being rewarded with one of the most prestigious performances and stages anybody could ever play on,” he said.
The Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper continued, “I’m humbled by the opportunity to do that, but I’m more happy to be able to celebrate with the people I love the most and celebrate in a way that people will remember through dance, through skate, though collaborations, so it’s gonna be a night of celebration. Every aspect of what has influences me to be the artist that I am, I’m gonna try to bring that out in that moment,” noting that playing the Super Bowl “is a moment that I’ve waited my entire life for and I’m not coming to disappoint.”
While waiting for Usher to take one of the world’s biggest stages, see Billboard‘s dream setlist for his set, and vote for who you think should perform with him at the Super Bowl.
Watch Usher’s new interview in full below.