Usher turned back the clock during his Super Bowl 58 performance, delivering stirring renditions of some of his most famous hits spanning across the whole of his catalog.
He got by with a little help from his friends along the way, as some of Usher’s most famous collaborators shared the stage with him in a glitzy showcase that won’t be soon forgotten.
It felt as if the whole of the music industry was represented in Usher’s display. Producers, rappers, fellow crooners, and even a marching band were called in to paint Allegiant Stadium in a sea of rhythm.
They were happy to oblige, and those watching on were more than grateful, swaying and gyrating to the dulcet tunes that spilled out of the amphitheater speakers.
With that, The Sporting News fills you in on just who made an appearance alongside Usher at this year’s halftime show.
Who sang with Usher at Super Bowl?
Leading off the proceedings for Usher wasn’t a single musician, but rather an array of them: the Sonic Boom of the South (Jackson State’s marching band) and Jonesboro High School band gave the eight-time Grammy winner their backing throughout his 14-minute odyssey.
The Jonesboro High School band and
The Sonic Boom of the South (@SonicBoomOTS) of Jackson State University were on the field with Usher in the Super Bowl halftime show!Atlanta to the World! #SuperBowl
pic.twitter.com/DrHIIC7geV— The Atlanta Voice (@theatlantavoice) February 12, 2024
The @SonicBoomOTS has been booked and busy! In case you missed it, Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South just performed at the @SuperBowl Halftime Show featuring @Usher! #SBLVIII #SuperBowl2024 pic.twitter.com/FTIrdo3Edx
— Jackson State U. (@JacksonStateU) February 12, 2024
Then came the hitmakers.
H.E.R.
H.E.R. took to the stage with a guitar, spilling notes all about the stringed instrument as Usher chanted hymns from yesteryear.
Usher & H.E.R. – Super Bowl – 2024 pic.twitter.com/UMgZ9jBt0f
— 3030 (@jose3030) February 12, 2024
Alicia Keys
Keys is one of Usher’s most consistent collaborators, so an appearance at the Super Bowl wasn’t all that much of a surprise. Still, the R&B icon was her effervescent best on Sunday, performing an “If I Ain’t Got You”/”My Boo” medley with her longtime friend.
alicia keys singing the classic ‘if i ain’t got you’ at the #SuperBowl
pic.twitter.com/cS6X4JIGOt— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) February 12, 2024
usher and alicia keys performing ‘my boo’ at the #superbowl pic.twitter.com/l9XfOOv3BK
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) February 12, 2024
Jermaine Dupri
Atlanta-based producer Jermaine Dupri emerged through the mire partway through the festivities. Dupri and Usher worked in tandem to craft the sonic stylings that came to define Usher’s 2004 classic, Confessions. It was only right that he helped author the concert’s transition into that era of Usher’s music.
I’m glad Usher brought out Jermaine Dupri for his performance. JD wrote and/ or produced hella of Usher’s biggest hits during his prime.
He’s an underrated legend 💎🫡 pic.twitter.com/dRvwJ0nBEe
— Ruben || Check the Rhyme (@checktherhyme1_) February 12, 2024
will.i.am
It felt somewhat inevitable that Usher would perform “O.M.G.,” one of the most popular tracks from his fourth wave of stardom. So, when the synths started rising in the track, it was little surprise that the song’s co-star, will.i.am, came along for the ride.
Oh…it was also a return to the spotlight for the former Black Eyed Peas frontman, who famously featured in a Super Bowl show of his own back in 2011.
Lil Jon, Ludacris
Rounding out the list of features for Usher’s shindig was the infallible tandem of Lil Jon and Ludacris. The duo offered their hoarse vocals for the closing track to the event — and perhaps Usher’s most famous song — “Yeah!”
They were soon joined by their fellow co-conspirators as the night faded to black and the ground shook.
usher perfoming the classic ‘YEAH’ with lil jon and ludacris 20 years later #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/nGEsjPfIzV
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) February 12, 2024
Usher ripped his shirt off, roller skated on stage, killed it with iconic songs, and just doing the MOST AND loved every moment of it. What a performance!! pic.twitter.com/WhaaSOveYi
— CJ Johnson (@cjjohnsonjr) February 12, 2024
Real music might not be back, but it certainly made an appearance on Sunday night.
