Usher performs during the Super Bowl Halftime Show in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, 2024.Photo:Jamie Squire/Getty
Jamie Squire/Getty
Ushermay have packed his entire career into his 13-minuteSuper Bowl Halftime Show, but he also made sure to give nods to R&B artists who came before him.
The R&B superstar, 45, appeared on Monday’s episode ofThe Breakfast Cluband broke down the Easter eggs that he sprinkled throughout hisHalftime Showat the 2024Super Bowl. While he admitted that he noticed many viewers caught hisMichael Jacksonhomage — in which he wore a single white glove for a period of the set — he said many fans have yet to uncover his references to R&B icons likeJames Brown,Marvin Gayeand many others.
“If you go back, it’s an entire education that’s happening right in front of your eyes," the Grammy winner teased on the iHeartRadio show.
Ludacris, Usher, Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri, and will.i.am on stage during the Super Bowl halftime show.Kevin Mazur/Getty
Kevin Mazur/Getty
Usher first opened up about what sly references he included when co-hostCharlamagne tha Godasked him about his intention in paying homage to the late King of Pop.
“See, what you don’t realize is that there are so many gems you have yet to unlock. You only caught one. You caught Michael,” the musician (whose real name is Usher Raymond IV) responded.
“Did you catch Marvin [Gaye]? Did you catch the back leg pop for James Brown?” he continued, referring to the funk legend’s signature dance move.
Usher and Alicia Keys perform on stage during the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show on Feb. 11, 2024.Steph Chambers/Getty
Steph Chambers/Getty
There was also a sample ofThe Jackson 5’s “Can You Feel It” during the roller skating portion, the star noted.
Although the “OMG” singer left it to fans to go back and watch the performance again to see the references, he also listed several other artists who inspired parts of the set. “It was some[Ronald] Isleyin there. It wasGap Bandin there andEarth, Wind and Fire,” he admitted. “There was Zapp.”
Usher also said that he “gave a little bit ofLuther Vandross.”
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The hitmaker also broke down why it was important to him to include nods to so many R&B, funk and soul icons in his Halftime Show. “All of it is who I am, but in what I have done and who I am, I recognize all of the people that have really paved the way,” Usher said. “Far too often, man, do we just forget about the people that really made it happen.”
Usher performing during the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, 2024.Steph Chambers/Getty
The 2024 sporting event ended up being themost-watched telecast in U.S. history, with an average of 123.4 million viewers tuning in.
Just days before he took to the stage at Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, Usher opened up about his excitement for the event in acover story interviewwith PEOPLE.
“The fact that I had this opportunity and someone who was in the position chose to give me the opportunity to entertain the world and do what I love to do after having such an incredible year here, specifically in Las Vegas, it feels so amazing,” he shared. “I feel honored, proud.”
source: people.com
