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OMG! Usher‘s forgotten he’s performing at the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show in Uber Eats’ new commercial for the Big Game, which dropped on Tuesday (Feb. 6).
The star-studded spot kicks off with Friends star Jennifer Aniston receiving an Uber Eats order from an assistant, who was surprised at all the various items — flowers and lotion, for example — the service can deliver. “You know what they say: ‘In order to remember something, you gotta forget something else,’” the Emmy-winning star shares, before pointing to her head and noting, “Make a little room!”
From there, a range of people erase a little knowledge to keep Uber Eats in mind, including David and Victoria Beckham. “Remember when you used to be a pepper lady?” the soccer star asks Posh, who’s in a white “David’s Wife” T-shirt.
“Wasn’t it the Cinnamon Sisters?” she wonders, before the athlete offers up “Basil Babes,” and the designer-singer suggests “Paprika Girls” instead, to which David answers, “No! That’s absurd!”
As Billboard previously exclusively shared in a teaser, Uber Eats’ ad also features country star Jelly Roll forgetting he has face tattoos. “Did someone doodle on my face?!” the “Son of a Sinner” singer asks, horrified, when he see his reflection in a mirror. As he tries to rub the ink off, he screams, “It’s not coming off!”
At the end of the ad — after Aniston has forgotten major period of her life (and a very good Friend) — the eight-time Grammy winner chills with his Uber Eats meal and says wistfully to his two horrified stagehands backstage, “I hope I get to play a halftime show someday, man.”
Fortunately for Usher, that wish is coming true much sooner rather than later. The R&B icon is set to headline the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday (Feb. 11). The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will face off in the NFL’s championship game beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Watch Usher, Jelly Roll and more stars in Uber Eats’ Super Bowl ad above.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Mattel is honoring The Beatles with a one-of-a-kind, construction set celebrating the 60th anniversary of the band’s first performance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Feb. 9 marks six decades since the legendary band played The Ed Sullivan Show for the very first time. The performance, which aired Feb. 9, 1964, became one of the most-watched moments in television history, garnering a record-breaking 73 million viewers.
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Now, Beatles fans can build their own piece of “rock ‘n’ roll history” with this collectable building set celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ first U.S. performance on the variety show.
Walmart
MEGA’s “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Beatles!” set ($79.99) is available in select Walmart stores, online at Walmart.com and on The Beatles’ official website.
The 681-piece set from MEGA, a Canadian toy company owned by Mattel, replicates the “arrows” stage that was specially made for the broadcast and includes four 2-inch posable micro-figures of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, complete with swappable instruments.
The Beatles’ performance on The Ed Sullivan Show launched the “British invasion” and birthed Beatlemania Stateside as the show received more than 50,000 ticket requests for the 728-seat studio. By comparison, Elvis Presley drove more than 7,000 ticket requests for his Ed Sullivan Show debut in 1957.
The Beatles appeared on the show three times in 1964 and several other times over the next four years but stopped performing live on the show in 1966, opting instead for pre-taped performances. The band’s final performance on The Ed Sullivan Show was on March 1, 1970.
For more collectibles, check out the best gifts for Beatles fans.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. February isn’t just for couples to celebrate and exchange Valentine’s Day gifts; it’s also an excuse for you to celebrate self-love […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your loved one doesn’t have to leave you broke. Tech deals are still going […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
SZA gave fans a sneak peek at her new song “Saturn” in a Mastercard commercial that premiered during the 2024 Grammys on Sunday night.
The special performance, from the Grammy House presented by Mastercard, features SZA descending from a vine into an enchanted forest while singing “Saturn,” which will reportedly appear on her forthcoming SOS deluxe album dubbed LANA.
The ad was filmed for Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition promoting forest restoration.
“We’re a force of nature when we come together. That’s why I’m supporting Mastercard on their mission to restore forests around the globe. Join me,” she says at the end of the ad.
Through its Priceless Planet Coalition, Mastercard is on a mission to restore 100 million trees around the world — with help from Lyft and SiriusXM.
From Feb. 4-29, a tree will be planted for the first 500,000 Lyft riders who use U.S. World or World Elite Mastercard to pay for a Lyft ride.
Starting Feb. 7 until March 31, eligible customers who subscribe to SiriusXM’s All Access (app only) plan on siriusxm.com/mastercard will get four months free, plus 10 trees will be planted – and there’s an opportunity for two more trees to be planted for each hour that you listen to the app.
The SiriusXM free trial includes ad-free music curated by genre, podcasts, news coverage, live NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL games and more app-only access. The subscription will renew at $9.99/month after the free trial unless you cancel.
Mastercard also launched an Instagram sweepstakes where cardholders can enter for the chance to win their very own tree seed incorporated in SZA’s performance outfit.
“It takes more than one person or one company to create scaled impact for the planet,” Rustom Dastoor, EVP of Marketing and Communications, Mastercard North America said in a news release sent to Billboard. “Music does more than unite us, it inspires us to take action. Through our GRAMMY Awards campaign, we are merging passion and purpose in a way that, through a major cultural event, rallies people to come together through the power of music to create collective action for the planet.”
SZA, who performed her hit songs “Kill Bill” and Snooze” at the Grammys, was the most nominated artist at the 66th annual Grammy Awards with nine nods. She took home three Grammys, including best pop duo/group performance, best progressive R&B album and best R&B song, which was presented to her by Lizzo on the telecast.
“Lizzo and I have been friends since 2013 when we were both on a tiny Red Bull tour together opening up in small rooms for like 100 people, and to be on the stage with her is so amazing. I’m so grateful,” she said during her emotional speech. SZA went on to thank her family and record label TDE before admitting to being overwhelmed by the moment. “I came really, really far and I can’t believe this is happening.”
Watch SZA’s Mastercard commercial below.
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The 2024 Grammy Awards held on Sunday night (Feb. 4) boasted a wealth of history-making moments: female artists took home trophies in each of the Big Four categories for the third time in just five years; Taylor Swift became the first artist to win album of the year four times; Miley Cyrus won her first-ever Grammy for best pop solo performance with “Flowers.”
But one such historic moment went quietly overlooked on Sunday night — three of the winners in the Big Four categories were queer women. Cyrus’s record of the year win with “Flowers,” Billie Eilish’s song of the year win for “What Was I Made For?” and Victoria Monét’s best new artist win mark the first time in recent memory that three different LGBTQ artists took home trophies in the evening’s main categories.
“It’s huge,” says Anthony Allen Ramos, vice president of communications and talent at LGBTQ advocacy organization GLAAD. “Seeing LGBTQ women dominate three of the biggest categories is something to be really excited about and proud of, especially today.”
Wins for queer artists weren’t relegated to the evening’s big categories, either — LGBTQ artists earned wins across a multitude of genres. Boygenius, the supergroup made up of queer superstars Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus, took home three trophies for best rock performance, best rock song and best alternative music album; Bridgers, meanwhile, walked away as the most awarded artist of the night with her four wins. Monét nabbed a win for best R&B album with Jaguar II. Americana categories awarded trophies to LGBTQ stars like Allison Russell (best american roots performance for “Eve Was Black”), Brandy Clark and Brandi Carlile (both in best Americana performance for “Dear Insecurity”).
Ramos points out that even in oft-undiscussed categories, LGBTQ artists saw huge wins. “We had Carla Patullo winning for best new age, ambient or chant album,” he tells Billboard. “It felt like we finally had wonderful representation in all genres, and I think that’s really important, because it’s not just about [queer artists] being in pop or dance. I never even thought about having LGBTQ inclusion in the best new age category!”
Representation for LGBTQ talent at the Grammys has steadily risen over the last few years, with the Recording Academy even debuting their new Academy Proud initiative this year to help “support and amplify LGBTQIA+ voices and drive queer representation at the Recording Academy and the music industry at-large.”
These major successes for queer folks at the 2024 Grammys come at a time of upheaval for the LGBTQ+ community at large — nearly 400 bills targeting the community have already been proposed this year in state legislatures around the United States, with more no doubt still to come. While LGBTQ+ artists earning record-high honors at an awards show might seem trivial in the face of direct attacks against queer and trans people around the world, the facts actually show otherwise.
According to data collected by The Trevor Project, 79% of LGBTQ+ youth reported that seeing musicians come out as members of the LGBTQ+ community made them feel better about their own identity. Meanwhile, 71% of respondents said that seeing straight, cisgender celebrities advocate for the LGBTQ+ community improved their own feelings on gender and sexuality.
Kevin Wong, the Trevor Project’s senior vice president of marketing, communications and content, tells Billboard in an emailed statement that representation at awards shows like the Grammys isn’t just about winning more trophies for queer-identifying artists — it’s about providing an example to kids in desperate need of hope in dark times.
“Seeing queer artists celebrated for their contributions to the music industry can make a positive impact on LGBTQ+ young people’s mental health,” he explains, adding that the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ legislation makes that representation “especially meaningful for LGBTQ+ young people.”
Even in the realm of music, Ramos says that queer success only begets more queer success. “The more success and art that they put out into the universe, the more that will resonate and connect with other artists and [help them] feel empowered to be themselves and to tell their authentic stories,” he says. “I was speaking with TJ Osborne, and he said it’s incredible how many times people have come up to him and said, ‘I am part of the community, I never felt like I could be a fan of country music, but you are changing that.’”
While Ramos points to a continued lack of representation for transgender and non-binary artists at the annual ceremony as an “area for improvement,” he makes it clear that the road ahead for LGBTQ+ artists only gets brighter. “This is a moment for everyone to realize that accepting yourself affects the art that you put out in the best way.”
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Prepare to scream, because Usher and SKIMS are joining forces for a new men’s campaign that’ll coincide with the release of the “OMG” singer’s upcoming album Coming Home. After the successful launch of its first-ever men’s collection, SKIMS decided to do one of its most epic restocks with Usher at the center.
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After you watch the 2024 Super Bowl and Usher’s halftime performance, you’ll have the opportunity to snag underwear and basics approved by the “Yeah!” singer. The restock will drop on Monday (Feb. 12) at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT, and will include four new colorways: Stone, Midnight Blue, Military and Oxblood. Some of the new pieces worn by the singer include the brand’s popular Stretch 5-inch Boxer in Midnight as well as the SKIMS Cotton 5-inch Boxer in Military and more basics.
Skims x Usher
Courtesy of Skims
The singer will be joining a star-studded list of talent including Neymar Jr., Nick Bosa, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Patrick Mahomes. For him, it was a humbling moment to join the campaign — especially as a friend of founder Kim Kardashian.
“When I was asked to partner with SKIMS Mens, I was so humbled,” Usher said in a press release. “Kim’s been a longtime friend of mine who’s always been so supportive of my work, so the opportunity to collaborate together on a campaign that supports both of our highly anticipated launches made total sense.”
Each piece is versatile and aims to move with you, whether you’re working out in your winter running gear or using the cotton T-shirt as a layering piece under your oversized leather jackets and more.
While you can’t shop the pieces until Feb. 12, you can check out what’s to come and join the waitlist to get notified the moment the clothing goes live.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best running shorts, shoes for travel and men’s watch sales.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Taylor Swift celebrated more than just her record-breaking win at the 66th annual Grammys Awards Sunday (Feb. 4) — she also […]
Energy drink company CELSIUS is stepping into the music space with a new partnership with Breakaway Music Festival.
The largest multi-city festival in the U.S., Breakaway will welcome CELSIUS as the presenting sponsor for all ten stops of their festival circuit this year. As part of the partnership, CELSIUS will launch the “Road to Breakaway” at each event, with fitness activations and workouts led by CELSIUS trainers, in addition to samples of the latest CELSIUS Vibe flavors. CELSIUS will also offer fans meet and greets with select artists, and partner with retailers on exclusive VIP giveaways.
The Breakaway Music Festival dates also double as stops on CELSIUS’ 2024 “Essential Vibes Tour,” which seeks to bring “essential energy to the best music festivals and concerts around the nation.”
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This year’s Breakaway Music Festival tour kicks off April 26 in Tampa, with headliners Illenium, Kaskade, Zedd and Sofi Tukker taking over Raymond James Stadium (home to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Tickets to the two-day festival in Tampa start at $146 online.
CELSIUS will also be present at the Breakaway Music Festivals in Charlotte, Columbus, Kansas City, St. Paul, Grand Rapids, Boston, Nashville, and San Francisco. Dates run through the end of October, and artists for the above festivals are expected to be announced soon. You can see more details at BreakawayFestival.com.
CELSIUS says the partnership with Breakaway was a no-brainer, drawing on both brands’ shared passion for music and bringing people together.
“The CELSIUS Essential Vibes Tour aims to create an unforgettable and unique experience through the transformative power of music,” says Kyle Watson, Executive Vice President of Marketing at CELSIUS. “Our goal is to foster a strong sense of community, memorable experiences, and forge emotional connections with our consumers. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire festivalgoers and provide them with the Essential Energy they need to elevate their festival experience.”
“Breakaway’s goal is to bring the hottest global talent to underserved markets across the U.S.,” adds festival co-founder, Adam Lynn. “Breakaway is a place not only for fan discovery, but a place to encourage artist creativity by providing a platform to build community, gain exposure, develop their careers, and who knows…eventually become the next Tiësto, Martin Garrix or Flume.”
While CELSIUS has become a go-to drink for both amateur gym goers and fitness influencers alike — thanks to its promise of faster metabolism and fat burning — the energy drink has caught on with the music crowd as well. Recent CELSIUS events have brought out everyone from Loud Luxury to G-Eazy and Madison Beer.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
To help you prepare for your Grammy watch party on Sunday (Feb. 4), we’ve rounded up a trio of delicious cocktails to serve up this weekend, and directions on how to make each cocktail with Smirnoff Vodka — the official spirits sponsor of the 66th annual Grammy Awards.
Smirnoff will be serving up signature cocktails at some of the hottest Grammy Week events including Grammy House, the official Grammys VIP After-Party and more.
See below for a list of luscious libations below.
Smirnoff Mule
The Smirnoff Mule is an easy but satisfying cocktail with just enough kick (thank you, ginger beer). It’s extremely easy to make and only takes three ingredients: vodka, ginger beer and lime. Check out the drink recipe and directions on how to make the Smirnoff Mule below.
Ingredients:
How to prepare: Combine Smirnoff No. 21 and ginger beer in a copper mug filled with ice. Squeeze a lime wedge. Stir gently and garnish with a lime slice.
Classic Cosmopolitan
The citrusy and sweet, pink drink is perfect for a Grammys shindig.
Courtesy of Smirnoff
Ingredients:
1 oz Smirnoff No. 21
0.5 oz Triple Sec
1 oz Cranberry Juice
0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
How to prepare: Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and double strain into large cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Piña Picante
Bold and spicy, the Pina Picante will bring the heat to your drink menu.
Courtesy of Smirnoff
How to prepare: Fill your cocktail shaker with ice and add all ingredients. Shake well and pour into a Collin glass over ice. To finish it off, Garnish with garnish with Tajín, a pineapple wedge and marigold flower.
Ready for the big show? The 2024 Grammy Awards will air live on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and stream live on Paramount+.
The show will feature performances from Olivia Rodrigo, Join Mitchell, Billy Joel, Luke Combs, Tracy Chapman and more.