Usher: Why His Super Bowl Set Will Be Longer

Author Autumn Hawkins

February 8th 10:48 AM

Usher is pulling out all the stops for his Super Bowl Halftime Show performance. And his show is going to be longer than the usual Halftime show: the R&B legend needs a couple more minutes. Instead of the regular 12-13 minute show for the musicians to act on the big stage, Usher managed to get his set two extra minutes, bringing it to a total of 15.

So, how did Usher manage to get the extra two minutes? The singer chalked it up to his team.

“I can’t explain why, but it’s a funny thing that I was able to do and craft,” Usher explained to Entertainment Weekly. “That was a huge strategic thing that happened between me and my agency.”

Reasons as to why his set will be longer seem to correlate with the fact that he plans to preview new music.

“It’s really hard to determine what moment matters more than others, especially with a new song,” Usher told Billboard in his cover story. “But there’s the dance, the wardrobe, the lighting, how long you stay in a song, the fact that the audience may sing along … It’s a lot.”

Usher To Release Ninth Studio Album Coming Home

The singer has his ninth studio album Coming Home, dropping two days before the Super Bowl (Friday, Feb. 9). Usher released the official tracklist last month which includes features from Burna Boy, Latto, H.E.R., Summer Walker, 21 Savage, The-Dream, Jung Kook, and Pheelz.

This week, Usher announced that he plans to take the album on the road — along with his previous hits — as he embarks on a 26-city trek for the Past Present Future Tour. In August, he will start in Washington, D.C., and make his way to Brooklyn, Atlanta, Miami, and more, over his 24-stop trek. He will also be the first performer at Los Angeles’ Inuit Dome.  The tour will end in Chicago after two nights on Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 in the city’s United Center.

In addition to previewing new music, Usher will be celebrating Black History Month in his set.

“I think about what our country has kind of represented for Black artists, you know, having to at some point go through kitchens to even be able to perform for an audience, but they had to leave back through that same door, fear for their lives as they went to the next state to do the same thing,” he told Good Morning America earlier this month. “So I’m coming through the front door with this one.”

Usher: Artists He Should Bring Out At The 2024 Super Bowl

• Beyoncé

  After Usher played an April Fool’s joke during his Dreamvile concert performance, he certainly owes his fans to bring Beyoncé out. The superstars only have one song together which is “Love In This Club Part II.” However, they had very memorable performance for Usher’s Live From Puerto Rico concert special back in 2005. Beyoncé stayed on stage for Usher’s performance of “Bad Girl” and fans would not mind if they decided to have a repeat performance. Take a look at the throwback moment here. She headlined one of the best Halftime shows ever, in 2013. In 2016, she stole the show when she guested with Coldplay.

• Alicia Keys

  Alicia Keys and Usher did not beat dating allegations after they dropped “My Boo.” While they didn’t date in real life, it is definitely fans’ top features for both artists. The duet by the R&B powerhouses was released in 2004 and served as the fourth single on Usher’s Confessions album. We hope that Alicia’s invitation to the Super Bowl stage is already out there.

• Ludacris & Lil Jon

  We’d love if Usher, Jon, and Luda could do it again — and this time at the Super Bowl. Usher has two hits with both artists including “Lovers and Friends” and “Yeah.” Both songs are high energy compared to Usher’s soulful R&B tunes which would be a great overall vibe to his show.

• will.i.am

  If Usher really wants everybody up and out of their seats he definitely needs to send an invite over to Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am. The two made “OMG” in 2010 which served as the fourth single on Usher’s album Raymond v. Raymond. The song is a part of Usher’s “EDM era” which was a popular sound in the 2010s. Fans responded well to Usher’s “OMG” which gave the legend his ninth No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

• 21 Savage & Summer Walker

  To “usher” in his new era, the singer should invite 21 Savage and Summer Walker on stage. Both artists are on his song “Good Good” which will be on his new album Coming Home. The LP will be released on the same day as the Super Bowl which is February 11.

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Author Autumn Hawkins

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• Music
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