SUPER BOWL

Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Performance Got The Crowd ‘Caught Up’ On 25 Years Of Excellence

by
usher super bowl
Getty Image

It feels a bit ridiculous to even type these words, but going into Usher’s Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show performance, there was a certain amount of skepticism about whether he was a “Super Bowl caliber” artist from some fans (you can probably guess which ones). Of course, once the veteran hitmaker hit the stage, he obliterated all doubts about his worthiness for the moment, reminding those fans that he’s got 25+ years of pop-R&B excellence under his belt.

The results of Usher’s preparations were on full display as he performed pop culture mainstays like “Caught Up,” “U Don’t Have To Call,” and “Superstar” over the course of the 15-minute set. After coming out to “Caught Up” flanked by dancers dressed in Roaring ’20s regalia, he ran through a progression of 2000s hits before bringing out Alicia Keys for a rendition of their duet “My Boo.” Usher then launched into a retrospective of his slow-burners like “Nice & Slow” and “U Got It Bad.” Naturally, he came out of his shirt during the latter. H.E.R. joined him onstage to play the guitar solo, he broke out the roller skates for a breakdown, and Lil Jon played part of “Shots” before they went into everybody’s favorite Usher song, “Yeah,” joined (of course) by Ludacris.

And just in case the performance itself wasn’t enough to turn those fans‘ expectations around, the inevitable streaming bump that’s sure to follow certainly should. After last year’s performance, Rihanna topped the streaming charts. The year before, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s 1999 hit “Still D.R.E.” reached over a billion views on YouTube, and in 2019, even the meme-baiting stunt performance of Spongebob Squarepants‘ “Sweet Victory” prompted a 500% increase in streams for the cartoon’s soundtrack.

Ice Spice Lets Her Ex Down Easy In Her Debut Super Bowl Commercial With The Help Of Starry

by

Oh, how time flies. Valentine’s Day is next week. However, not everyone will be spending their night cuddled up. “Think U The Sh*t (Fart)” rapper Ice Spice had to remind a former flame of this sad fact. In her debut Super Bowl commercial, Ice Spice enjoys a beautiful night out with her newfound love, Starry.

As Ice Spice is showered with love by the beverage company’s digital avatars, her ex rudely interrupts the trio. In the teaser for the ad slot, viewers were left wondering who would make an onscreen cameo. But as the camera pans to the mystery man, the reveal is silly yet disappointing.

The crushed lover is actually one of Starry’s competitors. The actors’ blurred hoodie makes it hard to determine whether that’s Sprite or 7UP. Ice Spice isn’t a stranger to beef in her music, so Starry picked the right ambassador for their war for the No. 1 soda spot.

In a statement, the brand praised their star. “Ice Spice’s charm and charisma are unmatched, making her the perfect fit for the brand’s first Super Bowl commercial,” read the statement.

Ice Spice expressed the same feelings to Billboard. “I’m hyped to star in the first-ever Starry Super Bowl commercial,” she said. “Trust me. starry is a vibe.

Watch the full commercial above.

Post Malone Shed His Rigid Rockstar Persona For His Rendition Of ‘America The Beautiful’ At The Super Bowl

by
Post Malone Super Bowl LVIII 2024 screengrab
CBS Sports

Everyone has their personal reasons for tuning into the Super Bowl LVIII. Of course, the avid football fanatics are locked in to see which franchise takes home the Vince Lombardi trophy. Music lovers couldn’t care less about the game. Most are dialed in for Usher’s highly anticipated Halftime Show performance.

But before that, a few notable musicians warmed the Las Vegas crowd up for its pre-game festivities. Post Malone dropped in for a gentle rendition of “America The Beautiful.” As a proud musical rockstar, Malone shed his rigid persona to bring forth the delicate essence of the hymn.

Of course, Malone added his creative touches to the traditional record, but he met the mark with his acoustic guitar in tow. Viewers at home took to X (formerly Twitter) to offer their glowing reviews of Malone’s performance.

“Ngl, that was actually better than I expected! A solid 7/10,” wrote one viewer.

“Wow, that’s awesome,” penned another.

Before his set, Malone shared that he was fighting back nerves. “I’m very nervous,” he said. “But excited, I’m excited. It’s just fun and super epic to be able to go out there and sing a song so many beautiful artists have sang before on this stage.”

Rewatch Post Malone’s full performance below, courtesy of the NFL.

Drake’s Super Bowl Bet Is In, And The Rapper Was Sure Not To Go ‘Against The Swifties’

by
drake grinning
Getty Image

Super Bowl LVIII, better known as Usher Bowl, is tonight, and pople online are rushing to get their final setlist predictions for the highly-anticipated Halftime Show. Of course, that isn’t the only thing folks are fiercely debating. Sports fans are putting up big bucks on their favorite team, with the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs ready to collide in Las Vegas. One of those folks digging deep into their pockets is Drake.

On Saturday, February 10, the “You Broke My Heart” rapper shared his seven-figure bet on the game inspired by Taylor Swift. “I can’t bet against the Swifties,” he wrote.

In the screenshot totaling over $1 million, Drake waved the ally flag to Swift’s avid fanbase. As most (sometimes pissed-off) football fans know, Swift is currently dating the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce. To ensure no beef arises from the two musicians’ supporter circles, Drake decided to go all in on the safe bet.

However, Chiefs fans might want to perform their pre-game rituals a few times before the coin toss. The Drake Curse has taken out franchises across sports, including soccer, basketball, UFC, boxing, and more. Given that Super Bowl LVIII is being held in Las Vegas, who knows? Maybe the odds will be in the Chiefs’ favor. The team has two foes: the Drake Curse and the 49ers.

Travis Scott & Quavo Perform At Fanatics Super Bowl Party: Watch

by

Quavo and Travis Scott were among many stars at Michael Rubin’s Fanatics Super Bowl party on Saturday (February 10). Then even performed their smash hit “pick up the phone” with Young Thug together, and it looks like everyone present had a great time. Of course, this is far from the first time that these two link up together for a show or for a special appearance; they have a collab album, after all. For example, La Flame recently brought the former Migo out at his Miami concert during his CIRCUS MAXIMUS tour, and to no one’s surprise, they absolutely rocked the crowd.

In fact, this record of collabs and joint concerts isn’t restricted to just concerts or parties, but also more official and philanthropic fare. Travis Scott and Quavo hit the stage at Jay-Z’s blackjack tournament, in partnership with Michael Rubin for the REFORM Alliance. Lil Baby also joined the festivities, and it shows how folks are combining a lot of entertainment elements when hosting events or activities like these. It’s nice to see this balance play out, especially in an environment where artists are already having fun to begin with.

Read More: Drake & Travis Scott European Tour Rumors Swirl Online, Fans Question Them

Quavo & Travis Scott “pick up the phone” Ringing At Fanatics Super Bowl Party: Watch

Meanwhile, their aforementioned team-up tape, 2017’s Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho, is still a pretty beloved release among hip-hop fans. Sure, it’s not Watch The Throne, but a lot of fans would love it if they reunite on wax more often… which might be a solid chance. Moreover, Quavo recently celebrated the success of this first installment and teased another joint effort with Travis Scott. Considering bangers like “Motorcycle Patches,” “Modern Slavery,” “How U Feel,” and more, we can only imagine it’ll be similarly full of jams.

As far as recent activity, both MCs featured on Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s new album Vultures. The Houston artist appears on “Fuk Sumn,” whereas Huncho shows up on “Paperwork.” What did you think of their contributions? Let us know in the comments section down below. Also, check back in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on Travis Scott and Quavo.

Read More: Quavo Removed From Kanye West’s “Fuk Sumn,” Fans Aren’t Happy

The post Travis Scott & Quavo Perform At Fanatics Super Bowl Party: Watch appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Kim Kardashian & Odell Beckham Jr. Spotted In Vegas After Super Bowl Party

by

Kim Kardashian is in Las Vegas with the rest of her family for the Super Bowl today (Sunday, February 11), and they’re far from the only stars there. Moreover, a new video obtained by TMZ is making the rounds on social media, as you can see Kim and Khloé make their way through a busy hotel and try to get into a crowded elevator. It looked pretty chaotic at The Wynn on Saturday night (February 10), but people aren’t talking about that as the hot topic on the gossip train. Rather, they took note of someone ushering Odell Beckham Jr. to join Kim in an elevator, which raised a lot of eyebrows and got a lot of fingertips typing online.

Furthermore, the two are currently the subject of dating rumors, and have been for a while now. In fact, recent reports emerged about them actually seeing each other and considering taking their fling public. Alas, it seems like if these rumors are even true, Kim Kardashian and Odell Beckham Jr. are still pumping the brakes on making things official. With both of their busy schedules and wildly visible public personas, we can’t blame them for wanting to ease into that type of coverage and movement.

Read More: Kim Kardashian & Odell Beckham Jr. Relationship Rumors Have Ravens Fans Praying For Their Own Taylor Swift Situation

Odell Beckham Jr., Kim Kardashian’s Rumored Flame, At The AFC Championship

Kim Kardashian Odell Beckham Jr Dating Vegas Super Bowl Pop Culture News
BALTIMORE, MD – JANUARY 28: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

Of course, the 43-year-old entrepreneur and model has kept her dating life either completely silent or under wraps since her divorce from Kanye West and subsequent split with Pete Davidson. After those instances, we can’t say we blame her at all for wanting to keep things low-key and focus her energies elsewhere. At the same time, Kim Kardashian deserves some happiness and love just like anyone else, and those invested in her story want to see her in a better place. It’s not like she’s doing bad right now, but that success doesn’t fill every void.

But who are we to say Kim has to fill that? If she wants to just live life more casually and keep showing out for her family, then she should enjoy that fruitfully. With all that in mind, we’ll see if this is just another rumor in the mill, or if it manifests into something greater. For more news and the latest updates on Kim Kardashian and Odell Beckham Jr., stick around on HNHH and check out this new video with the “Via” link below.

Read More: Kanye West & Kim Kardashian’s Co-Parenting Dynamic Dissected By Professionals

[via]

The post Kim Kardashian & Odell Beckham Jr. Spotted In Vegas After Super Bowl Party appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Post Malone Admits Super Bowl Performance Makes Him “Very Nervous”

by

Post Malone says his upcoming performance at the Super Bowl is “nerve-wracking” and that he is “very nervous” about it. Speaking with Apple Music’s Nadeska Alexis, he discussed what he’s expecting from his performance of “America the Beautiful” at the game.

“I’m excited. It’s just fun and super-epic to be able to go out and sing a song so many beautiful artists have sang before,” he said. “I’m just gonna do my best, just do my best, and give it what I got. My dad told me, ‘You’ll never make everybody happy. So just be yourself and do your best at everything you do.’ Do it your way and do it with love.”

Read More: Post Malone And Swae Lee’s “Sunflower” Becomes The First RIAA Double-Diamond Certified Single

Post Malone Speaks At A Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show Press Conference

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 08: Post Malone speaks onstage during the Super Bowl LVIII Pregame & Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on February 08, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

This year’s Super Bowl will feature the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the San Francisco 49ers. Speaking with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, Malone revealed that, despite being a Cowboys fan, he has a Chiefs tattoo. As for how he ended up with the ink, he lost a bet with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. “We played beer pong, me, Mahomes and Kelce, and I said, ‘If y’all beat me right now, I will get this KC tattoo with their autographs,’” he shared. “And we had a tattoo artist there for some reason. And then I had to walk away from the table and get it forever on my body.”

Post Malones Discusses The Super Bowl

In addition to Malone’s performance of “America the Beautiful,” Usher will be taking the stage during the iconic Halftime Show. TMZ reports that he’ll be bringing Alicia Keys along with him. Be on the lookout for further updates on Post Malone on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Post Malone Lights Up Brand New Las Vegas Venus For New Year’s Show

[Via]

The post Post Malone Admits Super Bowl Performance Makes Him “Very Nervous” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Drake Says He “Can’t Bet Against The Swifties” & Drops $1.1 Million On The Chiefs

by

Drake is confident enough in the Kansas City Chiefs to drop $1.1 million on the team to beat the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl on Sunday. He shared a screenshot of his bet slip through Stake on Instagram, Saturday night. “I can’t bet against the swifties @stake,” Drake captioned the bet. If the Chiefs are victorious, the Toronto rapper will bring in over $2.3 million in earnings.

Fans had mixed responses to the bet in the comments section. “Drake has the script,” one user joked. Another wrote: “NINER GANG! Till the death of me.” Others shared gifs of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

Read More: Drake & Travis Scott European Tour Rumors Swirl Online, Fans Question Them

Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift Celebrate AFC Championship Win

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 28: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs (L) celebrates with Taylor Swift after defeating the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have been dating throughout the 2023 NFL season. Accordingly, the iconic singer has been in attendance at several games, including the team’s victory in the AFC Championship, last month. “We’re learning with the paparazzi taking photos from all over the place,” Kelce told reporters in October, regarding the media frenzy over their relationship. “But at the same time, you know, it comes with it. You’ve got a lot of people that care about Taylor, and for good reason. You’ve just got to keep living and learning and enjoying the moments.” Check out Drake’s bet on Kelce and the Chiefs below.

Drake Shares His Super Bowl Pick

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi)

In addition to the Chiefs-49ers matchup, the Super Bowl will also feature a halftime performance from Usher. TMZ reports that Alicia Keys will be joining him on stage. The show comes after Usher dropped his new album, Coming Home, on Friday. Be on the lookout for further updates on Drake and the Super Bowl on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Usher Will Strap On Roller Skates For His Super Bowl Halftime Show

[Via]

The post Drake Says He “Can’t Bet Against The Swifties” & Drops $1.1 Million On The Chiefs appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Tua Tagovailoa Joins Darius Rucker On Stage In Las Vegas for ‘Wagon Wheel’ As Daniel Jones Cheers Him On

by
Tua Tagovailoa
Getty Image

Tua Tagovailoa and Darius Rucker became the musical pairing we never knew we needed on Friday night as the Dolphins’ quarterback joined Rucker on stage to play guitar and sing Rucker’s hit “Wagon Wheel”.

Giants’ quarterback Daniel Jones cheered Tagovailoa and Rucker on excitedly as he sang (or lip-synced) along from the Las Vegas crowd.

For Rucker, a longtime Miami Dolphins fan, to bring Tagavailoa on stage was not a surprise. Tagavailoa seemed to know what he was doing on the guitar and sounded just fine imploring the crowd to “rock me mama like the wind and the rain” along with Rucker.

Perhaps the only surprise was that he didn’t bring Tagavailoa up for a rendition of his hit with Hootie and the Blowfish, “I Only Want To Be With You” since its lyrics directly reference the Dolphins. Although maybe Rucker didn’t want the Dolphins’ star quarterback to have to sing about the Dolphins making him cry.

This isn’t Jones’ first time singing “Wagon Wheel”, either, even if it was just from the crowd this time.

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who love “Wagon Wheel” and those who hate it. Jones and Tagovailoa are clearly in the former camp, and Jones had the right idea in attempting Rucker’s sing-a-long hit before he attempted T-Pain.

Justin Bieber Rumored To Land For Usher’s Super Bowl In Vegas With Kardashians

by

Super Bowl Sunday is approaching fast this weekend in Las Vegas, and a lot of stars are already there or on the way. Moreover, according to TMZ, it seems like the Kardashians arrived at the city via private jet on Saturday morning (February 10), with Kim, Khloé, and Kendall Jenner walking out of the airplane in bundles. They wore low-profile outfits, but it wasn’t until they reportedly made it to their hotel that people really started getting excited. Out of their van emerged a man with a puffy coat, white beanie, and blue jeans, which many fans theorized could be Justin Bieber, who’s been in heavy rumors as of late about potentially joining Usher as a special musical guest for his Super Bowl halftime show.

Furthermore, this is all still speculative at press time, but it will surely fuel these rumors even more regardless. What’s more is that Justin Bieber is not the only special guest rumored to appear tomorrow for the big game’s mid-way spectacle. Alicia Keys reportedly rehearsed for the big event, so a lot of fans predict that she will surely join Usher onstage. Whether these “surprise” appearances actually manifest, we’re sure it will still be a great show.

Read More: Usher Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show Press Conference: 7 Takeaways

Justin Bieber With Kendall & Kris Jenner In 2014

Usher Justin Bieber Super Bowl Vegas Kardashians Entertainment News
Justin Bieber , Kendall Jenner and Kris Jenner attend CR Fashion Book Issue N°5 : Launch Party as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2015 on September 30, 2014 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images)

In fact, Usher recently spoke of incorporating a roller skating bit from his Vegas residency into his Super Bowl halftime show. “When you think about skating, it’s not just rolling and the music,” he told Access Hollywood. “It’s also to what you wear. It’s how you feel. Somewhere during the pandemic I had this bright idea to just go back to having fun, and that’s what this is. I want to offer the same thing to people who come here to dance, and listen to music, have a few drinks, and just chill out or even get on skates and have a good time. Again, you might fall down but you get back up, but you have fun.”

Meanwhile, we know that Biebs rolling with the Kardashians, if true this time, should be nothing surprising. After all, they have a pretty tight relationship, and they are at about the same level of wild fame. Big names have to stick together, especially for celebrations and events as large as these. With all that in mind, stick around on HNHH for the latest news and updates on Usher, Justin Bieber, and the Kardashians.

Read More: Kim Kardashian Celebrates 43rd Birthday With Hailey Bieber, Ivanka Trump, And More

[via]

The post Justin Bieber Rumored To Land For Usher’s Super Bowl In Vegas With Kardashians appeared first on HotNewHipHop.