Usher, like the true soulful superstar he is, doesn’t think that R&B is dead, but if he had gone with his gut back around 2003, he might not have been the king of the genre to make that belief have weight in the first place. Moreover, according to TMZ, producer Rico Love recently went to Home Grown Radio to talk about his big break writing for Usher’s 2004 album Confessions. In addition, he also gave an interesting claim about the backstory behind the smash hit “Yeah!” While it’s not a traditional R&B cut, it’s still one of the Dallas native’s biggest hits, one that Love claims he didn’t want to record at first.
Apparently, Rico Love was there when Usher first heard the demo for “Yeah!,” which Sean Garrett wrote. Initially, he did not like the song at all, and he rejected any advances to record the track for his then-upcoming 2004 project. The producer thought that it was a little cringe, and so did the Super Bowl’s upcoming halftime show performer. Not only that, but Love even said that the opening lines “Up in the club with my homies/ Tryin’ to get a little V.I./ Keep it down on the low-key” made him burst into laughter.
Rico Love Recalls L.A. Reid Allegedly Pressuring Usher To Put Out “Yeah!”: Watch
However, L.A. Reid had something else to say about “Yeah!” as a then-music executive and the President of Arista Records at the time. He thought the record sounded like true-blue hit, and staunchly suggested that Usher release it as the first single instead of “Burn.” Allegedly, as Rico Love recalled, he fought back against these pressures until Reid simply said “Do the f***ing song!” and hung up on him. In addition, he apparently also left the SKIMS collaborator no choice but to put the song out, through other means that weren’t just a phone call.
Meanwhile, we’re sure that he will be able to see the real love that people have for “Yeah!” during his upcoming tour. The 45-year-old surely has different thoughts on the track these days, now that hindsight is 20/20. It would be interesting to hear him respond to this claim, and look back on the choices he made that propelled him into music’s upper echelon. With that in mind, stay posted on HNHH for more news and the latest updates on Usher.
Usher will be performing at the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show on February 11, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. The event will take place close to where the legendary singer held his Las Vegas residency from 2021 to late last year. So far, there have been no reports regarding any special guests joining Usher on stage. However, he did tell Good Morning America that “it’s gonna be a great show” when asked about the possibility of surprise performers.
Usher’s headlining performance coincides with the release of his ninth studio album, Coming Home, which arrives just two days before he takes the Super Bowl stage. It has been a long time since he last performed at a halftime show. The R&B and pop icon previously performed at the Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show in 2011 as a guest of The Black Eyed Peas. That’s not to say that he hasn’t been actively performing throughout the past few years. In addition to a successful residency at Las Vegas’s Colosseum at Caesars Palace, he has played major festivals like Lovers and Friends and Roots Picnic.
The Super Bowl Halftime Show has always been reserved for “legacy artists” with sizable catalogs filled and classic hits. It is a spectacle that often sees musical giants creating an epic show out of their timeless discographies. Usher certainly fits that bill with plenty of multi-platinum and number-one hit singles. Many Super Bowl performances have managed to cram plenty of hits into a 13-minute performance, but there are certain songs that fans are expecting to see live. Here are seven hit songs that we need to see Usher perform at his Super Bowl halftime show. Listed in no particular order, take a look at the selections below.
One might not picture the Super Bowl when they hear a downbeat R&B song like “U Got It Bad,” but its iconic status makes sense for a performance meant for hit singles. Many of the best Super Bowl halftime shows balance both energetic moments of excitement with slow and intimate songs. “U Got It Bad” is a massive number-one single and fan favorite, and would fit nicely within Usher’s set of R&B classics. As an early hit and the biggest single from 8701, “U Got It Bad” helps capture the span of Usher’s illustrious career, not to mention the fans love it.
One can confidentially assume that Usher will perform “Yeah!” at the Super Bowl. The chart-topping throwback is significant in the singer’s discography, with its notoriety and upbeat nostalgia perfectly fit for the halftime show setting. As arguably Usher’s most recognizable hit, fans can expect to see him perform “Yeah!” with his famous dancing skills. Additionally, it creates the right opportunity for Lil Jon and Ludacris to possibly make a surprise appearance. “Yeah!” is an essential hit that we need to hear at this year’s Super Bowl.
“Confessions Part II” (2004)
Easily Usher’s biggest album is his diamond-certified third album, Confessions. As his best-selling work, one can expect the R&B legend to perform many songs from the album, including “Confessions Part II.” Rolling Stone recently ranked it as the greatest R&B song of the 21st century, not to mention that Usher’s performance of the record during his NPR Tiny Desk sparked the viral “Watch This” meme. With these recent celebrations of the song, fans can anticipate “Confessions Part II” to be included in Usher’s set. It is one of the most upbeat and catchy songs on his biggest album, and would certainly make for a thrilling halftime show moment.
Also on Confessions is “My Boo,” which is Usher’s highest-selling single to date. The song is an integral part of Usher’s discography. With its slow groove and catchy lyrics, it warrants a spot in his 13-minute performance. “My Boo” lends itself to a crowd sing-along, which one can picture when considering its position in Usher’s performance. Additionally, Alicia Keys’ contributions to the song opens the possibility of a live duet between the two.
“Love In This Club” Ft. Jeezy (2008)
Out of all the songs in Usher’s catalog, few are as right for the Super Bowl Halftime Show as “Love In This Club.” It contains the right characteristics for the big-budget performance spectacle. The upbeat and catchy song allows Usher to showcase his vocal range and his dance moves. Additionally, its irresistible chorus can create engagement with the audience. A staple in most of Usher’s live performances, we need to hear “Love In This Club” at the Super Bowl.
“OMG” Ft. will.i.am (2010)
Usher’s last performance at the halftime show took place over a decade ago as he joined The Black Eyed Peas to perform “OMG.” It was the biggest single from his Raymond V. Raymond album and is his last song to top the Billboard Hot 100. Performing “OMG” at the Super Bowl Halftime Show would restore the feeling of the early 2010’s era. It would also be a full circle moment in Usher’s headlining halftime show after performing the song as a guest 13 years ago. “OMG” is one of Usher’s most lively singles that fans need to hear at his upcoming performance.
Usher may be known as an R&B icon, but he made numerous classic EDM bangers during the early 2010’s. The biggest of these club-ready hits is “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love.” Not many Usher songs encourage people to dance quite like this one. It is practically made for the stadium setting with its bouncy pop beat and dynamic vocals. Many fans may favor Usher’s older R&B ballads, but he captured young audiences with contemporary dance records that appeal almost universally. The fun spirit of “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” is certainly necessary for Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Show performance.
Have you ever wanted to hear Usher, Lil Jon, and Ludacris’ “Yeah!” but with a reggaetón and house twist? Well, you’re in luck, because the first of those singers assisted J Balvin and DJ Khaled with the cut “Dientes,” which does exactly that. It’s a club-ready banger, with a big focus on driving expressive vocal runs and the iconic melody behind the original. Also present are some shuffling percussive elements like slinky bass, syncopated kicks, and crisp snares and hi-hats. It won’t be the most unique or boundary-pushing thing you’ll hear this week, but there’s a good chance it’ll be the catchiest.
Of course, this is just one of many tracks that Usher’s graced his fans with this year, including “Boyfriend” and “Good Good” with Summer Walker and 21 S*vage. This time around, though, it was actually quite curious to see him retread his old flow on “Yeah!” for a more contemporary context. It’s not as explosive as the original, but it’s much more dynamic from start to finish with swells and drops. J Balvin also came through with various melodic inflections and refrains to bring “Dientes” from one eight-bar section to the next. As for DJ Khaled… well, his ad-libs get us ready for a pop hit, and we can all agree that hearing his yells hasn’t gotten any less entertaining.
Meanwhile, “Dientes” also came out with a glitzy and playful music video that also speaks to the history behind these artists. They all have big plans on the way, with Khaled in particular teasing his next studio effort with a lot of excitement. We’ll see if these characters ever cross paths on wax again for something more to shake the dance floor with. If you haven’t heard “Dientes,” find it on your preferred streaming service, and check out the music video above and some notable bars below. Also, keep checking in with HNHH for the latest on DJ Khaled, J Balvin, and Usher.
Quotable Lyrics She got a couple bad b***hes in the room, And they asking “Where the heat at?” I would rather not explain it to her, I’m a nine times out of ten, my position is to go in my first
World-renowned artist Usher has undeniably made a groundbreaking impact on the music industry. The multi-talented singer is widely known for his unique, soulful vocals and his ability to create catchy hooks that fans can never seem to get enough of. Since his debut in 1994, Usher has released dozens of chart-topping hits. He began his career at a very young age after his family decided to move to Atlanta. There, his talents could be showcased, and he would receive many more opportunities.
Soon, he released his first album at only 15 years old, giving him years to grow as an artist and learn from the best. Ever since the dawn of his career, Usher has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry. This includes Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Ludacris, and more. Usher remains a beloved figure in the music scene and still receives praise for his abundance of 2000s hits.
“My Boo” With Alicia Keys
“My Boo” is a 2004 R&B classic written and released by Usher as a part of his fourth studio album, Confessions. The track features singer-songwriter Alicia Keys. It’s a stunning duet that is still loved by loyal fans across the globe. Initially released as a single, “My Boo” stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts for six weeks. The song’s lyrics are written to tell the story of two lovers and their heartache. It also acted as a relatable and catchy song for fans. In fact, it was even recognized as only the 36th biggest song of the decade between 2000-2009.
“Love In This Club” ft. Jeezy (2008)
Usher’s “Love In This Club” was released on February 22, 2008, as the lead single from his fifth studio album, Here I Stand. The song features rapper Jeezy, mainly along the chorus. The track also contains a Las Vegas-inspired synth beat, creating an electronic R&B sound that fans seemed to love. It quickly reached No. 1 in the United States as well as New Zealand, and was in the Top 10 in many other countries. The lyrics allude to seducing a beautiful woman in a nightclub. The first verse also shouts out to Polow Da Don, the song’s producer.
“OMG” ft. Will.I.Am (2010)
Usher’s usual blend of up-tempo Pop and R&B shines perfectly through “OMG.” The song was written and produced by icon Will.i.am. It heavily utilizes auto-tune, a popular audio effect of the early 2000s. The song was an immediate success as it was the album’s lead single. The lyrics tell a story of a woman which Usher is so incredibly enamored by that he can’t help himself from yelling “Oh my god” repeatedly.
Featuring guest vocals from global superstar Pitbull, “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” was undeniably one of Usher’s best hit tracks. This dance-pop song is also catchy, fun, and never fails to have fans on their feet. It reached the Top 3 in charts worldwide, including Japan, Canada, and France. The song received positive reviews from critics and fans alike and soon turned into one of Usher’s most successful songs of his career.
“Yeah!” landed its spot at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for 12 weeks, itself a record compared to any of Usher’s other hits. It’s a brilliant musical mesh of R&B, Crunk, and hip-hop that leaves fans dancing. The song also won a Grammy award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and received a nomination for Record of the Year.
Usher has been a prominent figure in the music industry for over two decades. The singer has released eight successful studio albums, won an incredible amount of accolades, and sold over 75 million records worldwide. Usher’s career has also been marked by his ability to create music that fans carry with them. He continues to make his name heard to this day.
