Usher

Usher to Headline 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show

Get ready for an electrifying performance at Super Bowl LVIII, as Usher has been announced as the headliner for the highly anticipated halftime show. The NFL championship game will take place in Las Vegas on February 11, 2024, coinciding with the release of Usher’s ninth solo studio album, Coming Home, marking his first new album in eight years. This performance will be a significant milestone in Usher’s illustrious career, as it will be his debut on one of the world’s biggest stages. “It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list,” the 44-year-old star shared. “I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before.”

Who Is Usher?

Usher is a global R&B icon and pop artist, with eight Grammy Awards under his belt. Known for chart-topping hits like “Yeah!,” “Nice & Slow,” “U Remind Me,” and “My Boo,” his career has spanned decades since he burst onto the scene at the young age of 14. Usher’s breakout moment came after his appearance on Star Search, which led to a contract with LaFace Records. His self-titled debut album was released in 1994, when he was just 15, setting the stage for his rise to stardom. His 2004 album Confessions solidified his place in music history, selling over a million copies in its first week and winning multiple Grammy Awards. Usher’s most recent album, Hard II Love, was released in 2016, and he has since been performing a successful Las Vegas residency, which is set to conclude in December 2023.

A Glance at Usher’s Early Years

Usher Terry Raymond IV was born on October 14, 1978, in Dallas, Texas, and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He began singing in his church choir at the age of six, and his talents quickly developed. After moving to Atlanta with his family, Usher’s big break came when he appeared on Star Search at the age of 13, catching the attention of music executives. This led to a recording contract with LaFace Records and the release of his debut album just a year later.

A Trailblazing Career

Throughout his career, Usher has seamlessly blended genres such as R&B, pop, and blues. His second album, My Way (1997), propelled him to international stardom with hits like “Nice & Slow” and “You Make Me Wanna…,” the latter selling over seven million copies. His third album, 8701 (2001), featured chart-toppers like “U Got It Bad” and earned him two Grammy Awards.

Usher’s career-defining moment came with the release of Confessions in 2004. The album sold over 20 million copies worldwide, fueled by hits like “Burn,” “Confessions Part II,” and “Yeah!”—which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks. Usher’s collaboration with Alicia Keys on “My Boo” further cemented his status as a top artist, and Confessions earned him three Grammy Awards, including Best Contemporary R&B Album.

In 2008, Usher’s Here I Stand debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, featuring the platinum-certified single “Love In This Club.” He continued his success with Raymond v. Raymond (2010) and Looking 4 Myself (2012), both of which produced No. 1 hits and earned him additional Grammy Awards.

His most recent album, Hard II Love (2016), included hits like “No Limit” and “Crash,” and was initially released exclusively on Tidal, a streaming service co-owned by Usher alongside Jay-Z and other music industry heavyweights.

What’s Next for Usher

With his ninth album Coming Home set to drop on February 11, 2024—the same day he’ll headline the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show—Usher continues to push boundaries. Fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating this dual release and the unforgettable performance he promises to deliver. As Usher himself has said, “I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before.”

Movies and TV Roles

Beyond his successful music career, Usher has ventured into both film and stage acting. One of his earliest roles was in the 1998 teen horror film The Faculty. He also made guest appearances on several television shows, including portraying Marvin Gaye in American Dreams (2002). In 2005, Usher starred as a disc jockey in the movie In the Mix and, in 2006, took on the lead role of Billy Flynn in the Broadway musical Chicago.

In 2013, Usher made a notable return to reality television as a judge and coach on NBC’s hit show The Voice. He and Latin singer Shakira joined for Season 4, replacing Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera, and appeared alongside long-standing coaches Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. Usher’s unique coaching style quickly endeared him to viewers. After sitting out the next season, he returned for Season 6, where his team member, Josh Kaufman, won the competition.

Philanthropy and Business Ventures

Usher has also made significant contributions to philanthropy. In 1999, he founded the New Look Foundation, an organization that provides support to children in foster care, hosts programs for at-risk youth, and promotes leadership development in underprivileged communities. His charitable efforts have earned him recognition from organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Trumpet Foundation, and the NAACP.

In addition to his philanthropy, Usher has explored various entrepreneurial ventures. He launched his record label, US Records, and developed a men’s cologne line. Usher is also a part-owner of the music streaming service Tidal and holds co-ownership in the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.

Personal Life

In the early 2000s, Usher was romantically involved with Chilli, a former member of the group TLC. In 2007, he married Tameka Foster, with whom he has two sons, Usher Raymond V (born in 2007) and Naviyd (born in 2008). However, the couple divorced in 2009.

In 2012, tragedy struck when Foster’s son, Kyle Glover—Usher’s stepson—suffered a fatal brain injury in a water-related accident. The following year, another incident occurred when Usher Raymond V, the singer’s eldest son, was caught in a pool drain but survived the injuries.

After the pool accident, Tameka Foster pursued legal action to regain custody of their two children, alleging Usher’s inability to provide adequate care. However, the court ruled in Usher’s favor, allowing him to retain custody.

In September 2015, Usher married his longtime girlfriend and manager, Grace Miguel, an executive at Def Jam Records. They separated in 2018 after two years of marriage. In September 2020, Usher and his girlfriend Jenn Goicoechea welcomed their daughter, Sovereign Bo, followed by the birth of their second child, Sire Castrello, in September 2021.