super bowl halftime show Archives

Usher Puts His All Into Rehearsing For The Super Bowl Halftime Show In A New Short Film Directed By Jay-Z

February 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Just nearly a week after Usher killed it at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, fans are getting another glimpse into how exactly he pulled off all the surprises.

In a new short film that dropped via the music platform, it provides a look at Usher’s rehearsals and the changes that were made to the setlist and production. Oh, and it was directed by Jay-Z and Hamish Hamilton, as they shot the footage entirely on an iPhone.

“As I put together the songs, like a puzzle piece to represent this type of soulful music, R&B and mixture of this pop that is my own, I think God really blessed me with the right people to help build the artist that I am,” Usher shared in the ten-minute film. “I’m happy that I’m able to share this moment with them.”

“If you put in the work, people will respect what you do,” he added.

Throughout the video, he runs through the routine repeatedly with his backup dancers. Usher also takes some time to do vocal warmups, as he rehearses to pronounce the consonants a little stronger. It is also split with high-quality footage taken up close during the actual show.

Check out Usher’s behind-the-scenes film of his Super Bowl Halftime Show above.

Usher Addresses Backlash To Alicia Keys Embrace During Super Bowl Halftime Show

February 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Usher says there was no ill intent behind his embrace of Alicia Keys at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Speaking with The Breakfast Club, he explained that he, Keys, and Swizz Beatz are all on good terms about the situation. Usher faced backlash online after the show for the way he held onto the iconic singer after performing “My Boo.”

“In no way is there anything that was done there that should have been viewed as bad or in any way perverted or anything like that,” Usher said. “No, it was literally about having fun because of a song that me and Alicia made many years ago and we celebrated it because of the legacy of it. No disrespect to anybody or anything like that.”

Usher & Alicia Keys Perform At Super Bowl Halftime Show

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Usher performs with Alicia Keys during the Apple Music halftime show at the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Usher also noted that he, Keys, and Swizz Beatz have “absolutely” shared a laugh about the situation in recent days. In response to the backlash, Swizz wrote on Instagram: “Y’all talking about the wrong damn thing !!! y’all don’t see that amazing dress covering the entire stadium. Tonight’s performance was nothing but amazing with 2 amazing Giants! Congrats @usher and my love @aliciakeys that song is a classic. We don’t do negative vibes on this side we make history. Go see GIANTS at @brooklynmuseum it’s open until July blessings.” Check out Usher’s latest comments on the performance below.

Usher Defends Super Bowl Halftime Show

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Alicia Keys wasn’t the only artist welcomed to the stage either. Ludacris, H.E.R., and more made appearances as well. Be on the lookout for further updates on Usher on HotNewHipHop.

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Usher Confirms He Did Ask Justin Bieber About The Super Bowl Halftime Show And Why Bieber Ultimately Said No

February 16, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Leading up to Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Show performance earlier this month, there was a lot of speculation about whether Justin Bieber, who has been associated with Usher since early in his career, would join in on the festivities. Usher’s performance turned out fantastic, but Bieber did not end up taking the field.

Now, Usher has confirmed that he did in fact ask Bieber to take part, and shared his perspective on why he didn’t.

In an interview on The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne Tha God asked Usher why “things didn’t work out” with Bieber, and Usher responded, “You know what? They did work out with Justin. I honor and recognize that my brother… I think that it might have been that fact that he’s just wanting to tell a different story right now, and I understand that. But we did have a brief conversation, and we’re gonna do something else in the future. But no love lost or anything like that.”

https://twitter.com/breakfastclubam/status/1758517786333053235

He continued, “I think that it’s a lot of pressure for the Super Bowl, obviously, for me to put together a show, so I reached out to everybody. Justin wasn’t the only person that I actually spoke to about doing the Super Bowl. But the moment was maybe for later. He’s gonna play the Super Bowl, I’ll go ahead and give you that, in the future.”

Alicia Keys Reinforces Her Love For Swizz Beatz Following Usher Embrace

February 14, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Alicia Keys became a trending topic on social media during the Super Bowl on Sunday night. Overall, this mostly has to do with the way she danced alongside Usher during her portion of the halftime show. There was one point where Usher held her from behind and they both gave off these massive smiles. Although some could argue it was harmless enough, some felt it was massively disrespectful to Keys’ husband, Swizz Beatz. In fact, some tried to make the argument that this was akin to cheating with more than just one other person.

Following the performance, Swizz Beatz hopped online and defended his wife from scrutiny. He felt like there was nothing to criticize and that people should back off. However, the hate continued to pour in, and for the most part, Keys was staying silent. Now, she has opted to weigh in on what has been said about her. Instead of acknowledging some of this hate directly, she has made it clear that she absolutely adores her husband.

Alicia Keys Breaks Her Silence

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A post shared by Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys)

“I love u sooo deeply. Beyond words. Beyond lifetimes. Beyond skies and universes. We soar!!!!” Keys wrote. The comments were filled with fans who were relieved that she would weigh in on this. After all, many were left feeling bad for Swizz Beatz. It is clear as day that his wife adores him and that the Halftime Show was purely for entertainment purposes. Regardless, people are still going to hate and do what they always do, which is speculate. For those who aren’t chronically online, there was probably nothing to actually apologize for or address.

Let us know what you thought of the Halftime Show, in the comments section down below. Did you think Usher went over the line with his affection for Alicia Keys? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.

The post Alicia Keys Reinforces Her Love For Swizz Beatz Following Usher Embrace appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Tameka Foster Reacts To Usher’s New Marriage

February 14, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Usher has been in the news quite a bit over the last few days, which has subsequently led to headlines about Tameka Foster. Foster and Usher used to be married a few decades ago. However, they ended up getting divorced back in 2009. Regardless, the two have grown a lot since that time and seem to be on good terms. For instance, we found out over the weekend that Foster was supporting Usher while he performed at the Super Bowl. It was a massive performance and it elicited a ton of praise.

Moreover, it was revealed by outlets like TMZ that Usher got married to Jennifer Goicoechea while out in Las Vegas. Overall, this news was a bit of a surprise, but it is clear that Usher wanted to get back into the swing of things marriage wise. Of course, this led to some comments about Foster and how she may feel about all of this. However, in a new interview with TMZ, Foster revealed that she is doing just fine. In fact, she is over that part of her life and is even happy that her ex has found love.

Tameka Foster Speaks

Additionally, she went on to say that her ex is an amazing father to their two kids. So there you have it folks. There is no point trying to turn a positive into a negative. That said, Usher continues to get praise for his recent halftime show performance. There was even some controversy thanks to the whole Alicia Keys debacle. Regardless, his performance is one that people will remember for a very long time. Hopefully, the NFL can get someone equally as talented, next year.

Let us know what you thought of the Usher halftime show, in the comments section below. What do you think of Foster’s remarks? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists.

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Justin Bieber Did Not Perform At Super Bowl LVIII With USHER, Here’s Why

February 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Super Bowl Halftime Show always produces some interesting story angles every year. In just two days since the performance, fans already have so much to say about it. In fact, fans are already trying/hoping to get certain artists to hit centerfield when the game heads to New Orleans, Louisiana in 2025. Of course, Super Bowl LVIII’s (58) headlining act was Texas-born R&B legend USHER. The show was widely praised due to its impressive choreography, singing, and overall energy. Another reason why it was widely loved could be attributed to the guest acts. Lil’ Jon, Ludacris, H.E.R., and Alicia Keys were just a few who joined USHER. However, one person who was missing in action was Justin Bieber.

The Canadian pop superstar was a highly-anticipated Super Bowl performer. He and USHER have a handful of tracks together as well. Bieber recruited his mentor for “Somebody to Love” and its remix, “First Dance,” and “Peaches (Remix).” So, why did we not get to see some nostalgic songs be put on display for the millions of people watching?

There Are No Hard Feelings Between Bieber & USHER

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Well, it was as simple as Justin saying “he wasn’t feeling it.” That comes from The Neighborhood Talk and sources close to Page Six. However, there is no ill will whatsoever. In fact, Biebs went on IG to congratulate his pal for show will he sat in the stands watching it all unfold, according to Uproxx. “LOVE YOU MY BROTHER. NOONE CAN SING AND DANCE THE WAY YOU DO. LOVE YOU FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART. BROUGHT THE ‘A’ TO THE WORLD, ONLY YOU BABYYYYYY ” It is also worth mentioning Bieber did have health complications not too long ago. But, it is good to see the brotherly love.

What are your thoughts on Justin Bieber’s reason for not performing with USHER at Super Bowl LVIII? Do you think he will get the chance to do it at some point in his career again? Would he have been the best guest performer during the Halftime Show? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to tell us in the comments below. Additionally, keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Justin Bieber, USHER, and Super Bowl LVIII. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the worlds of music and sports.

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Drake, Nicki Minaj, & Lil Wayne Have Fans Clamoring For Them To Perform At Next Year’s Super Bowl

February 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Super Bowl LVIII (58) crown was earned by the Kansas City Chiefs over the San Francisco 49ers in just the second overtime game in the history of the NFL. It was a wild ending and someone who added to the excitement around the matchup was USHER. He took on the opportunity that so many artists would take in an instant. It was a terrific performance, even though it has led to some controversy. Hip-hop/R&B artists have been the trend for the Halftime Show, since JAY-Z was given the reigns to select guests in 2019. He has already booked some of the legends, why not get Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne to rock the field at the Super Bowl?

Fans are already chomping at the bit to see this happen. AllHipHop already has collected handfuls of tweets with people demanding/making their calls that Drake, Nicki, and Weezy, will be at Super Bowl LIX (59). There are just a couple of examples below, but here are some others. One person writes, “Drake Wayne and Nicki doing a Super Bowl halftime show would break records.” Someone replied to that message and made a bold statement, “would be the best Halftime Show of all time, they all got so many hits.”

Read More: Kanye West Reveals Why He Can’t Be Anti-Semitic And Why He Can’t Be Canceled

This Would Be A Halftime Show For The Ages

Next year we shall get a Lil Wayne Super Bowl in New Orleans with Drake and Nicki as guests.

— Bobby Foster (@_bobbyfoster) February 12, 2024

Part of the reason fans of the sport and hip-hop music are trying to see this happen is because of where the Super Bowl will be. It will be going down in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Caesar’s Superdome. That is where Lil Wayne calls home. Coincidence? We think not. Of course, it also has to do with the number of classic tracks they have together and on their own. So, get on it JAY! We need to see this happen!

What were your thoughts on the fans’ idea to have Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne perform at Super Bowl LIX? Would that wind up being a top-five halftime show of all time? Or, at the very least, would it be the most memorable one for hip-hop/R&B? How would they divide up their songs to fit as many in as possible? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to tell us in the comments below. Additionally, keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.

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Justin Bieber Didn’t Join Usher At The Super Bowl Halftime Show, But He Thought It Was Fantastic

February 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Justin Bieber 2024 Honda NHL All-Star Game — Getty Image

Leading up to this past weekend, there were rumors that Justin Bieber would be at Super Bowl LVIII to join Usher for the halftime show. That turned out to be only half correct: Bieber went to the game, but he was there merely as a spectator and did not get on stage with Usher. As for what actually did happen on the field between halves, though, Bieber thought it was great, as he heaped praise on Usher after the performance.

Sharing a photo from Usher’s performance, Bieber wrote yesterday (February 12), “LOVE YOU MY BROTHER. NOONE CAN SING AND DANCE THE WAY YOU DO. LOVE YOU FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART. BROUGHT THE ‘A’ TO THE WORLD, ONLY YOU BABYYYYYY [kissing emoji].”

According to TMZ, before the game, Usher reached out to Bieber and asked if he’d make a halftime show appearance. A Daily Mail report from October 2023, meanwhile, said, “[Usher] really wants to prove himself worthy of such an honor because he definitely sees that the excitement level for him doing it is not at an all-time high. He has asked some of his friends who are artists to help him out and join him on stage, and he has thrown a few ideas towards Justin.”

Plenty of non-Bieber guests did take the field alongside Usher, though, including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Lil Jon.

Who Performed With Usher At The Super Bowl Halftime Show?

February 12, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Usher 2024 Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show — Getty Image

Usher has been a premier showman for decades now, so it’s not surprising that he put on quite the performance for his Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show yesterday (February 11). Some surprises, though, came via the guests that Usher recruited to join him on the field. So, let’s run through who Usher performed alongside for his big moment (aside from the hundreds and dancers and backing musicians who were also involved).

Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show: Alicia Keys

Usher started off solo, performing at least portions of “Caught Up,” “U Don’t Have To Call,” “Superstar,” and “Love In This Club.” Then, Alicia Keys emerged as the first guest, playing piano as she and Usher sang “If I Ain’t Got You” before transitioning into their chart-topping 2004 duet “My Boo.”

Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show: Jermaine Dupri

Next was “Confessions Part II,” which featured an introduction from Jermaine Dupri.

Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show: HER

Usher ran through “Nice & Slow” and “Burn” by himself before HER played guitar (and absolutely shredded) on “U Got It Bad” and “Bad Girl.”

Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show: will.i.am

Immediately after HER was will.i.am’s turn, who emerged for a quick portion of “OMG,” his and Usher’s No. 1 hit from 2010.

Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show: Lil Jon

Then it was onto Lil Jon, whose distinctive gravely yell introduced a snippet of his and DJ Snake’s “Turn Down For What.”

Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show: Ludacris

Lil Jon stuck around for the next song as the performance headed into the finale. “Turn Down For What” transitioned into “Yeah!,” so naturally, this was Ludacris’ turn to pop up.

Revisit the full halftime show performance here.

Swizz Beatz Reacts To Usher & Alicia Keys’ Viral Super Bowl Halftime Show Embrace

February 12, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys have been together for quite some time. Overall, they are a music industry power couple that many look up to. On one side, you have a legendary producer. On the other side, you have an incredible singer-songwriter who has delivered a plethora of hits over the years. Well, last night, both of them became trending topics on social media. Of course, this was all thanks to the Super Bowl Halftime Show which was headlined by none other than Usher.

At one point in the performance, Keys could be seen in an incredible red outfit, sitting at a Piano. Although she ended up messing things up a tiny bit with her vocals in the beginning, the performance transitioned into a memorable one. However, some might say for the wrong reasons as Usher could be seen holding her from behind. Fans immediately began making memes on social media. Moreover, some were concerned for Swizz Beatz, who had to watch another man get close to his wife for the world to see. Many of these comments were made out of insecurity, and Swizz saw it all. It ultimately led to his Instagram post in which he praised his wife for her performance.

Swizz Beatz Speaks

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A post shared by Swizz Beatz (@therealswizzz)

“Y’all talking about the wrong damn thing !!! y’all don’t see that amazing dress covering the entire stadium,” Swizz wrote. “Tonight’s performance was nothing but amazing with 2 amazing Giants ! Congrats @usher and my love @aliciakeys that song is a classic. We don’t do negative vibes on this side we make history. Go see GIANTS at @brooklynmuseum it’s open until July blessings.” Clearly, Swizz Beatz was a fan of the performance. Ultimately, he doesn’t care for the social media antics.

What did you think of Usher’s performance? Let us know, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming releases.

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