State Champ Radio Usher
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The 55th NAACP Image Awards concluded over the weekend and the stars were there in all their revelry as expected. Usher, Colman Domingo, and Fantasia Barrino were among the winners, which featured several nods for The Color Purple.
The NAACP Image Awards took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Calif. last Saturday (March 16) and was hosted expertly by Queen Latifah. For those unaware, the ceremony highlights entertainers and performers across several genres which include television, film, music, and also podcasting.
Usher was named the Entertainer Of The Year and gave a moving acceptance speech that looked back over his three decades as a performer and how he’s grown with his fans. The singer also mentioned his recent marriage, how his mother was instrumental in his rise, and also his popular Las Vegas residency gig. Oprah Winfrey announced the award, which was a surprise for attendees.
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Speaking of Winfrey, The Color Purple earned several awards throughout the night as Fantasia Barrino took home the Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in the musical. Winfrey, cleverly decked out in purple, was the executive producer for the 2023 film alongside Steven Spielberg. The Outstanding Motion Picture award also went to The Color Purple.
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Taraji P. Henson, who has been outspoken about pay inequity for women in Hollywood, took home the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture award for her role in The Color Purple. The film also took home the Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture award.
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Colman Domingo was a two-award winner, taking home the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in Rustin, and the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for The Color Purple. Domingo was also nominated for Entertainer Of The Year.
See the full list of the 55th NAACP Image Awards winners here.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Tiffany Rose / Getty
Usher has spent years gathering good will, which only grew exponentially thanks to his Las Vegas residency and rocking the Super Bowl halftime show. However, Ursher has massively played himself after he was spotted kicking it with Russell Simmons in Bali.
In case you’re unaware, Simmons essentially ran off to Bali after he was accused by multiple women of sexual assault. Although Simmons has denied the claims (and former Def Jam exec Drew Dixon produced a whole documentary detailing her allegations), the theory is he skipped town to avoid prosecution. Thus, the Hip-Hop pioneer has been persona non-grata for many.
Nevertheless, there goes Usher seen kicking it with various people including Simmons during a trip to Bali. It’s worth noting that Usher, perhaps knowing better, didn’t share the pics (and video, too) himself. However, Russell gladly took to Instagram to share the good times he was apparently having with Usher. The R&B crooner’s trademark smile in the pics reveals he clearly wasn’t a hostage.
Considering Usher can thank Sean “Diddy” Combs, who has also been accused of sexual assault by multiple women, among the execs instrumental to his early success, being spotted having a good ol’ time with Simmons is not the best of looks. Another exec who had a hand in Usher’s rise was LA Reid, who has also been accused of sexual assault by Dixon as well.
This is not a trend Usher need be associating himself with. We’re not overreacting, you can peep the reactions below. To say that the criticism is rolling thick would be an understatement.
1. A choice was made.
2. Nasty work.
3. Where is the lie?
Following Usher’s 2024 Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 11, four of his catalog albums surge on the Billboard 200 chart (dated Feb. 24), alongside the debut of his new release, Coming Home, at No. 2.
Coming Home arrives on the list with 91,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 15, according to Luminate. Of that sum, album sales comprise 53,000 – making it the top-selling album of the week, and the largest sales week for any R&B album in more than four years.
Four more Usher albums dot the Billboard 200: his former No. 1 Confessions, released in 2004, flies 92-15 with 33,500 units (up 199%), 2010’s chart-topping Raymond V Raymond re-enters at No. 68 (14,000; up 154%), 2001’s 8701 re-enters at No. 122 (10,000; up 187%) and 1997’s My Way re-enters at No. 197 (8,000; up 175%). The four albums house songs that Usher performed during his halftime show.
The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.
In total, Usher’s catalog of albums, including Coming Home, earned 145,000 equivalent album units in the week ending Feb. 15 – up 428% compared to the previous week (27,500 units). Removing Coming Home from the equation, his albums earned 54,500 units for the week – up 98% compared to the previous week (27,500 units).
Meanwhile, Usher’s halftime closer, “Yeah!,” featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris, re-enters the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart at No. 20 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at No. 8. It’s the single’s first appearance on either chart since 2004, when the Confessions’ smash spent 12 weeks atop the Hot 100 and eight weeks leading the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs tally. In the week ending Feb. 15, “Yeah!” earned 13.4 million official streams (up 142%), 8.7 million in airplay audience (up 66%) and sold 11,000 downloads (up 636%).
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Source: Michael Owens / Getty / Super Bowl LVIII / Patrick Mahomes
So, despite all the people claiming they were not going to watch this year’s Super Bowl LVIII for many reasons *coughs* Taylor Swift, it turns out this year’s edition of the big game was the most watched ever.
ESPN reports a record number of eyes were in front of their television screens to see the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers, Usher’s brilliant Apple Music Halftime show, and less than a minute of Taylor Swift.
Per ESPN:
According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, the Kansas City Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime victory versus the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday averaged 123.4 million viewers across television and streaming platforms. That shattered last year’s mark of 115.1 million for Kansas City’s last-play victory over the Philadelphia Eagles with a 7% increase.
Nielsen also says a record 202.4 million people looked at some part of the game across all networks at one point, which was a 10% jump over the previous year’s 183.6 million.
It also eclipses the 2016 Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers on CBS, which had 112.34 million viewers.
It was only the second Super Bowl to go into overtime and the second straight event to average over 100 million viewers.
Possible Reasons For This Year’s Super Bowl’s Ratings Success
On top of the thrilling game that saw the Chiefs need overtime to send the San Franciso 49ers back to the bay without the Lombardi trophy, again, there was also the added hoopla of Taylor Swift being in the building and, of course, highly anticipated halftime performance from Usher.
Leading up to the game, the extreme MAGA crowd somehow managed to link Taylor Swift, President Joe Biden, and Super Bowl LVIII in some ridiculous conspiracy theory.
Following the game’s result, President Biden even mocked them, using the infamous “Dark Brandon” meme with the caption, “Just like we drew it up.”
We will be tuned in again next year.
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Source: PATRICK T. FALLON / Getty / Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri thought he got a fit off, but X users vehemently disagreed.
Usher’s highly anticipated Apple Music Halftime performance at Super Bowl LVIII blessed us with many moments worth talking about and, most importantly, joking about.
One person catching heat on social media is So So Def general Jermaine Dupri and his choice of drip, which many believe was so so trash.
Dupri hit the stage during the performance, rocking a black short suit with a white button-up underneath paired with some eyebrow-raising socks and loafers.
Many viewers thought Durpi was CeeLo Green at first. One person wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “MY MAMA THOUGHT JERMAINE DUPRI WAS CEELO LMFAOOOOOOOO.”
Others couldn’t help but clown Dupri’s fit, especially his choice of socks.
Even Suge Knight got in on the fun. Also, how the hell is he running an X account from prison?
Of course, the slander of his fit didn’t get past him, and Dupri decided to respond via Instagram by showing that his socks were from Louis Vuitton.
In the caption for the post, he wrote, Ha!! ok I ain’t have time for y’all last night I was too drunk, me and my homies performed at the Super Bowl!so I’m just really seeing y’all got me fucked up !! But I will say it’s funny as hell,yoooo!! @pharrell you see this !? PS we came into this game with our clothes on backwards, i ain’t no regular nigga.”
Little did Dupri know that his responding by showing us he bought a pair of overpriced socks would only worsen the situation.
We’re glad Jermaine Dupri is being a good sport about the jokes. You can see more reactions to his awful fit in the gallery below.
2. Accurate
3. H O W L I N G
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Source: Michael Owens / Getty / Usher / Alicia Keys
The “Usher Bowl” went down, and it was full of many memorable moments, new memes, and plenty of reactions. One moment in particular between Usher and Alicia Keys has the internet still talking.
Since his Vegas residency took off, the Usher experience now involves the iconic R&B superstar crooning and swooning guests who happen to be in his line of sight during his show.
He continued that trend during his highly anticipated Apple Music Halftime performance at Super Bowl LVIII. Just like when he sang to Keke Palmer, leading to the downfall of her relationship with her son’s father, Usher got very close to Alicia Keys.
Keys was one of the many guests during his electrifying performance. Alicia Keys kicked her guest spot off, singing “If I Ain’t Got You” while playing a red piano that matched her form-fitting body suit.
Usher eventually helped her close out the song, and the two stars began singing their hit record, “My Boo,” during the performance, Usher hugged Keys from behind, and she looked thrilled during the moment.
Swizz Beatz Was Over The Social Media CAP
As expected, the moment sparked plenty of chatter. Alicia Key’s husband, Swizz Beatz, was very much aware of what was happening on social media and plugged him and his wife’s art exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum.
Taking to Instagram, the producer wrote in the caption of a gallery post of photos of his wife:
Y’all talking about the wrong damn thing !!! y’all don’t see that amazing dress covering the entire stadium. Tonight’s performance was nothing but amazing with 2 amazing Giants ! Congrats @usher and my love @aliciakeys that song is a classic. We don’t do negative vibes on this side we make history. Go see GIANTS at @brooklynmuseum it’s open until July blessings.
Regardless, people were more upset about Usher hugging Alicia Keys from behind than her own husband. Professional homophobe Boosie Badazz had something to say. On Instagram, he wrote “@USHER ENOUGH IS ENOUGH BRO‼️U NEED TO APOLOGIZE TO SWISS. SHE MARRIED MY N-GGA I KNOW THAT WASNT PLANNED.”
Professional boxer Gervonta Davis said on X, formerly Twitter, “Usher would have been on his way to the hospital as I write this if I was Swizz,” HipHopDX reports.
Some folks, like Gillie, believe people are doing too much.
Regardless, it was a moment, and Usher understood the assignment, plus we got an excellent damn football game.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. This Druski moment will always be relevant
3. Howling
5. Y’all are dead wrong
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Source: Ethan Miller / Getty
On Sunday (Feb. 11), Usher had the world in the palm of his glittery gloved hands with a heck of a Super Bowl Halftime performance. And while everyone was enjoying his hits from yesteryear, sneakerheads were infatuated with the chrome Air Jordan 4s Usher was rocking while cutting a rug.
Sporting a outfit designed by Off-White (RIP Virgil Abloh), many sneakerheads were quick to notice the chrome and blue Air Jordan 4s on the “Lovers and Friends” singer and were wondering if these were exclusive 4s made specifically for Usher’s highly-anticipated Halftime Show. With Bruce Brown having sported a chromed out version of the Air Jordan 11s that were made for him a few weeks back, many assumed Usher’s Air Jordan 4s were made exclusively for him as well.
They were, but not by Jordan Brand.
As it turns out the sneakers were crafted beautifully by revered sneaker remixer, the Shoe Surgeon, who’s known for taking sneakers and reworking them into the kind of styles that heads wish would actually release. Sporting a chrome, blue and white color blocking with a big “U” on the heel tab, these Air Jordan 4s are a one-of-one that will never see the light of day outside of Usher’s home.
Sorry sneakerheads, but these ain’t for general consumption.
Check out pics of the kicks below, and let us know if you’d want Jordan Brand to drop something like this in the comments section below.
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Source: Lauren Leigh Bacho / Getty
Ursher ate. During Usher’s highly-anticipated Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show, he brought the Atlanta vibes to Las Vegas with an amazing performance that included a medley of his smash hits along with on point dancers, rollerskates, and guests like Jermaine Dupre, Lil Jon, Ludacris and Alicia Keys.
From “You Don’t Have To Call” to “Confessions, Pt. 2” to “Nice N Slow” to “Burn” and more, Usher managed to hit all the major hits from his incredibly deep catalog. And he didn’t really need the help, but Alicia Keys, Luda, Lil Jon and H.E.R. only exponentially rose the star power. And we ain’t even mention the Jackson State Marching Band.
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that Usher was singing, dancing (and rollerskating) live without backing vocal tracks. You’re fav R&B artist would never.
Check out the best reactions to Usher’s Super Bowl performance in the gallery.
1. Roller, Skates.
2. Stephanie Mills approved.
5. No chill on X
6. Y’all gotta relax.
8. Again, no chill.
11. Anita Baker approves.
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After conquering Las Vegas, Usher is officially taking his show on the road, and fans can’t wait to see him live. Presale tickets for the R&B star’s Past Present Future Tour, announced earlier in the week, went on sale on Friday (Feb. 9).
General onsale starts on Monday (Feb. 12) at 10 a.m. local time.
The tour launches on Aug. 20 in Washington D.C. and will make stops in Boston, Philadelphia, Oakland, Calif., Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami and other cities before coming to a close in Chicago on Oct. 31. The tour has been extended due to “overwhelming demand,” Usher revealed Thursday in a post on X.
The “Good Good” singer added extra shows to most of the cities on the tour, including Washington D.C., Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore, Boston, Brooklyn, Miami, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C.
A select number of tickets are currently available on resale sites such as Vivid Seats, StubHub, SeatGeek, Viagogo and GameTime. Prices range from around $100-$125 on the low end to over $1,000 for VIP tickets.
How to Get Tickets on Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster’s presale is happening now. The lowest prices that we’ve seen online range from around $725 to more than $1,000 for opening night in Washington D.C. and Usher’s shows in Los Angeles in September.
Tickets for later dates on the tour, such as Sept. 13 in Detroit and Sep. 29 in Oakland, are priced at $482-$595. Most of the VIP presale tickets are currently priced at more than $1,000 at Ticketmaster.
Fans can also purchase VIP experience packages like the Ultimate Meet & Greet Experience, which includes one premium reserved ticket in the first three rows, a VIP host, light snacks, desserts and beverages, a ride share voucher, early access to shop show merchandise, an exclusive VIP tour poster and VIP gift, and of course, you’ll get to meet Usher and take a photo.
The Diamond Barstool, Onstage Photo and VIP Lounge Experience and Gold Hightop Table & VIP Lounge Experience includes group photo opportunities and special seating in the VIP Bar section.
How to Get Tickets on Vivid Seats
Looking for the cheap tickets to see Usher? At Vivid Seats, you’ll find resale tickets for under $100, though most tickets are around $125 and up for general admission and around $1,000-$1,500 for VIP. Use code: BB2024 to save $20 off ticket orders of $200 or more.
How to Get Tickets on StubHub
StubHub is a great resource for last-minute, cheap tickets — but the key to getting the best deal is striking at the right time. In this case, it’s better to secure your tickets as soon as possible as ticket demand will likely spike following Usher’s Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday (Feb. 11).
Tickets on StubHub are priced as low as $89, but most of the cheaper tickets fall in the $100-$150 range. VIP tickets are priced from around $800 to more than $6,000.
Which tickets are the most expensive? Certain cities will cost you more than others. For example, Usher’s shows in Atlanta are some of fastest-selling tickets at StubHub and more expensive than some of the other cities on the tour. Right now, tickets for Atlanta range from as low as $270 for general admission to over $9,000 for VIP.
How to Get Tickets on SeatGeek
SeatGeek is serving up some of the cheapest ticket prices that we’ve seen for Usher’s tour. Prices range from $65 to $246 for general admission. VIP packages range from $383-$3,963 (take $10 off eligible purchases of $250+ with code BILLBOARD10. Valid on first purchase only).
GameTime is another site that has reasonably-priced Usher tickets starting as low as $86 for select dates. But no matter how you score tickets, you’ll probably end up spending at least $200-$300 for a good view of the stage, and even more for VIP.
Usher has a busy performance schedule ahead. Before kicking off the Past Present Future Tour, the Grammy winner will headline the Lovers & Friends Festival in Las Vegas in May.
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Source: SKIMS / SKIMS
SKIMS is continuing to tap into the culture seamlessly. Usher is the face of the brand’s newest menswear campaign.
As spotted on Variety Magazine the music legend has lent his talents to Kim Kardashian’s popular line. SKIMS has curated a new collection to coincide with the crooner’s forthcoming album COMING HOME. The capsule includes a variety of men’s undergarment essentials including tank tops, briefs, boxer briefs, socks and t-shirts. Each of the items are available in multiple colors including black, white, grey, green and more.
Source: SKIMS / SKIMS
Aside from the apparel the campaign is offering his fans special access to his ninth studio effort. On Friday, Feb 9 a limited-edition digital version of the album will be available on SKIMS.com. This exclusive will feature the bonus track “Naked” and an alternative album cover. The “My Way” singer detailed his enthusiasm in a formal statement. “When I was asked to partner with SKIMS Mens, I was so humbled” he said. “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. “Launching this campaign ahead of multiple career milestones feels like a full circle moment, with SKIMS supporting the release of my new album, COMING HOME”.
The new SKIMS menswear collection will be available Feb. 12. You can preview the pieces here and watch the promotional trailer below.
