Usher has a new confession: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Halftime Show in Las Vegas.
The , Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Sunday that Usher would lead the halftime festivities from Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11. The music megastar, who has won eight , said he鈥檚 looking forward to performing on the NFL鈥檚 biggest stage.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list,鈥� Usher said in a statement. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they鈥檝e seen from me before.鈥�
Usher spring boarded into superstardom with 鈥淐onfessions,鈥� which sold more than 10 million units in the U.S. and earned him eight nominations at the 2005 Grammys, winning him three. He lost album of the year to Ray Charles鈥� final album 鈥淕enius Loves Company,鈥� released two months after the legend died.
鈥淐onfessions鈥� ranks among one of the best-selling music projects of all time and launched No. 1 hits such as 鈥淵eah!鈥� with Ludacris and Lil Jon, 鈥淏urn鈥� and 鈥淐onfessions Part II.鈥� His special edition version included the smooth hit 鈥淢y Boo,鈥� a duet with Alicia Keys. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the epic album.
Usher, 44, is currently headlining his 鈥淯sher: My Way鈥� residency in Las Vegas, which has drawn sold-out shows and rave reviews. He鈥檚 also beginning an eight-night block of performances in Paris on Sunday. Usher is expected to wrap up his Las Vegas residency in early December before he makes his Super Bowl halftime appearance a couple months later.
The singer has served as a coach on NBC鈥檚 鈥淭he Voice鈥� and appeared in several films including 鈥淗ustlers鈥� and 鈥淟ight It Up.鈥�
Roc Nation founder Jay-Z called Usher the ultimate 鈥渁rtist and showman.鈥�
鈥淓ver since his debut at the age of 15, he鈥檚 been charting his own unique course,鈥� he said of Usher, who released his debut self-titled album in 1994. In total, he鈥檚 released eight studio projects that were filled with hits including 鈥淯 Got It Bad,鈥� 鈥淯 Remind Me,鈥� 鈥淵ou Make Me Wanna,鈥� 鈥淣ice & Slow鈥� and 鈥淟ove In This Club鈥� with Jeezy.
鈥淏eyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul,鈥� Jay-Z continued. 鈥淗is remarkable journey has propelled him to one of the grandest stages in the world. I can鈥檛 wait to see the magic.鈥�
Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. Hamish Hamilton returns as director. It鈥檚 the second collaboration between the NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation.
Last year, a emerged suspended on a platform above the field for a s 鈥� her first solo event in seven years.
鈥淲e are so proud of what we were able to accomplish together with the NFL and Roc Nation last year and now with the insanely talented Usher set to take the stage we鈥檙e looking forward to another incredible Halftime Show from one of the world鈥檚 all-time greatest performers,鈥� said Oliver Schusser, Apple鈥檚 Vice President of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats.
Usher will join a list of celebrated musicians who have played during Super Bowl halftime shows including , Madonna, , Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, U2, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson and .
鈥淯sher is an icon whose music has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape throughout his career,鈥� said Seth Dudowsky, NFL Head of Music.
Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press
