LOS ANGELES (AP) — Usher has a new confession: The Grammy winner will headline Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime show in Las Vegas.
The NFLApple Music and Roc Nation announced Sunday that Usher will headline the Feb. 11 halftime festivities from Allegiant Stadium. The music megastar who has achieved eight wins Grammyssaid he’s excited to perform on the NFL’s biggest stage.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl appearance off my bucket list,” Usher said in a statement. “I can’t wait to give the world a show like they’ve never seen from me before.”
Usher Spring became a superstar with “Confessions,” which sold more than 10 million copies in the U.S. and earned him eight nominations at the 2005 Grammys, including three. He lost Album of the Year to Ray Charles’ last album, Genius Loves Company, released two months after the legend’s death.
“Confessions” is one of the best-selling music projects of all time and spawned No. 1 hits like “Yeah!” with Ludacris and Lil Jon, “Burn” and “Confessions Part II”. His special edition included the hit “My Boo,” a duet with Alicia Keys. Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the epic album.
Usher, 44, is currently headlining his Usher: My Way residency in Las Vegas, which has resulted in sold-out shows and rave reviews. He also starts with an eight-night block of the performances in Paris on Sunday. Usher is expected to wrap up his Las Vegas residency in early December before making his Super Bowl halftime appearance a few months later.
The singer served as a coach on NBC’s “The Voice” and appeared in several films, including “Hustlers” and “Light It Up.”
Jay-Z, founder of Roc Nation, called Usher the ultimate “artist and showman.”
“Since his debut at the age of 15, he has forged his own unique path,” he said of Usher, who released his self-titled debut album in 1994. In total, he has released eight studio projects filled with hits, including “U Got It Bad,” “U Remind Me,” “You Make Me Wanna,” “Nice & Slow,” and “Love In This Club” with Jeezy.
“Beyond his flawless vocals and exceptional choreography, Usher reveals his soul,” Jay-Z continued. “His remarkable journey has taken him to one of the greatest stages in the world. I can’t wait to see the magic.”
Roc Nation and Emmy Award-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producer of the halftime show. Hamish Hamilton returns as director. It’s the second collaboration between the NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation.
Last year, a pregnant Rihanna appeared floating on a platform above the field Spectacular halftime show – her first solo event in seven years.
“We are so proud of what we were able to accomplish together with the NFL and Roc Nation last year, and now that the insanely talented Usher takes the stage, we look forward to another incredible halftime show from one of the world’s best players. “The best artists of all time,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports and Beats.
Usher joins the list of celebrated musicians who have played at, among other things, Super Bowl halftime shows BeyonceMadonna, Dre, Snoop DoggColdplay, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, U2, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson and Katy Perry.
“Usher is an icon whose music has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape throughout his career,” said NFL Director of Music Seth Dudowsky.
