Usher is sharing his gratitude and plans for a momentous 2024 Super Bowl halftime show. As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this year, the 44-year-old explained that the performance had been a goal on his bucket list. Now, that goal is being checked off.
RELATED: Usher Expresses Interest In Headlining Super Bowl Halftime Show: ‘I’d Be A Fool To Say No’ (Video)
Usher Reveals The News With A Clever Nod To His 2004 Hit Single “Confessions, Pt. II”
On Sunday, the 44-year-old shared a joint Instagram post with Apple Music. The post contained a video of the beginning scene of Usher’s 2004 music video, “Confessions, Pt. II.” However, instead of the singer receiving a phone call from a woman he’d gotten pregnant, the singer received a phone call from Kim Kardashian.
Kardashian reveals to Usher that she’s “finally gotten the answer to those rumors,” and the 44-year-old is “doing the Super Bowl.”
“You’re playing the Apple Music halftime show in Vegas,” Kardashian reassured the singer, adding, “You’re doing the Super Bowl.”
As the conversation continued, Kardashian added that Usher has been doing a great job with his Las Vegas residency. However, this performance “has to be different.”
Check out the video below!
Following the promotional video with Kardashian, Apple Music and Usher released additional promotional videos, each featuring Deion Sanders, Marshawn Lynch, and Odell Beckham.
However, perhaps the most heartwarming promotional video was to see present Usher revealing the news to his past self. Check out the clip below!
The Singer Shares How He Learned The News
That same day, Apple Music published Usher’s exclusive interview with Zane Lowe. During the interview, Usher shared his excitement and revealed that he feels relieved that the news is now public.
“I mean, it’s been a lot to keep secrets from my own kids,” he explained. “A very, very close-knit of people knew and were very, very excited about the entire thing… The fact that this is the most grand stage to ever play on.”
During the conversation, Usher revealed that he received the news from rapper Jay-Z, the founder of Roc Nation. According to the NFL official website, the sports organization has a long-term partnership with Roc Nation “as the league’s official Live Music Entertainment Strategists.”
This allows Roc Nation to “spearhead and advise on the selection of artists for NFL tentpole performances, including the Super Bowl.” Additionally, the partnership enables Roc Nation to “assist in the production and promotion of new music as well as culture- and cause-focused initiatives.”
During the interview, Usher detailed the phone call he received from Jay-Z.
“But when I got this call… he said, ‘It’s time, it’s magic time. You know, it’s time for you to have that moment.’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ He’s like, ‘The Super Bowl.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, you ready? Absolutely.'”
Usher continued by explaining that this moment was “destined to happen.”
“And it was like this was destined to happen. I think that everything that led up to that moment, going to Las Vegas for my residency for the last two years. The legacy, obviously, that is the music, the celebration of entertainment in that place… So for the Super Bowl to have made its way to Las Vegas while we were in Vegas, having such an amazing two years…”
Before concluding, the singer shared his gratitude to Jay-Z and Roc Nation while hinting at what fans can expect.
“And I’m really happy that Jay-Z and also Roc Nation really put thought into making certain that they could bring to the world this kind of experience,” Usher shared. “It is definitely going to be a moment to remember.”
As the interview continued, Usher also revealed that he’ll release his next studio album the same day of his 2024 Super Bowl performance, February 11. The album, titled “COMING HOME,” will be his first full-length studio release since 2016.
Watch as he details the project while speaking with Lowe below!
Usher Previously Spoke About His Desire To Headline The Show
As The Shade Room previously reported, the singer shared his interest in headling the Super Bowl halftime show to Access Hollywood earlier this year. At the time, Usher explained that he’d “be a fool to say no.”
“I think I have a catalog that obviously speaks for itself,” he continued. “So to be able to celebrate on that day — it’s obviously about football, but everyone anticipates the performance…”
Check out the singer’s full comments below!
Also, check out Usher’s recent ‘Stepping Into The Shade Room’ episode below!
