CELEBRITY
Usher Teases Super Bowl Halftime Show Set, Guests, And Possible Behind-The-Scenes Documentary
Usher/Instagram
Usher teased the contents of his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas, and assured fans he would work to fit hits into the short performance.
Speaking at a press conference hosted by Apple Music on Thursday, the R&B legend acknowledged fan speculation about his possible set list.
“There has been these fantasy lists that have been going out, people trying to figure out what song Im going to perform first, middle, last,” the 45-year-old Grammy winner said.
“I was very mindful of my past, celebrating my present, which is here in Las Vegas, and thinking about where were headed in the future. And that was really the idea, he said.
He also expressed appreciation for being the first independent artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show.
“Ive gotta do it in 13 minutes, that makes it a bit difficult. It definitely has been a challenge to squeeze 30 years into 13 minutes,” he said.
What songs do I feel people know me for? What songs have been a celebration of all of the journey of what life and love and emotion has been offered in my music?” he said.
He also teased some special guests for the performance.
“I think I made it easy for myself when I decided to have features on songs that became hit records, so that gave me the greatest point of reference,” he said.
He also said fans will get to see the entire process of creating the halftime show, from the day he got the call to the final bow.
“Apple has been following me through this entire process, so were figuring out how were going to share it with you,” he said. “Theres been a documentary crew that has been collecting all of the moments that have happened. Theres cameras around us at all times.”
Usher’s ninth studio album, Coming Home, came out Friday, just in time for the Super Bowl.
He wrapped his Las Vegas residency in December, and last week announced a North American tour set for later this year. The career-spanning Usher: Past Present Future tour will kick off on Aug. 20 at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. and will wrap on Oct. 29 at Chicagos United Center.
TMX contributed to this article.
