Super Bowl season is officially upon us, people. Next month, two lucky squads will face off at the Super Bowl LVII in Las Vegas, featuring a halftime show from Usher. Of course, we have quite some time to go before the big game—which will take place on February 11—but that hasn’t stopped Usher from getting hyped for his performance. “It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list,” he said. “I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before. Thank you to the fans and to everyone who made this opportunity happen. I’ll see you real soon.”
On Friday morning, Apple Music released a trailer for the halftime show, which they call “30 years in the making.” The teaser reimagines “Yeah!” with a gospel choir, violin, drumline, and piano. The video also includes snippets of J Balvín and Jung Kook vibing to the 45-year-old’s music. Could this be an Easter egg for Usher’s Super Bowl guests?! Fingers crossed.
Whatever Usher’s planning must be big, given it’s his second Super Bowl appearance. In 2011, he was featured during The Black Eyed Peas’ performance, where he sang “OMG.” With eight studio albums and nine number-one hits, he’ll surely give us a great show. According to Billboard, Usher will also release his ninth album, Coming Home, on the day of the Super Bowl.
Seth Dudowsky, the NFL’s Head of Music, explained the importance of Usher’s legacy in a press release. “Usher is an icon whose music has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape throughout his career,” he said. “We couldn’t be more excited to have him headline this year’s Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show. We look forward to working with Usher, Roc Nation and Apple Music to bring fans another Halftime Show for the history books.”
With less than a month until the big day, it’s time to predict Usher’s setlist. Will he open the show with “Yeah!” or the early-aughts classic, ”My Boo?” Is “Love in This Club” too scandalous for the Super Bowl, or will Usher whisper “I do it for the ladies,” before blasting his ode to dance-floor hookups? What about “Bad Girl,” his collaboration with Beyoncé? Is there a chance she’ll stop by for a quick duet, or will he bring out a different guest performer? Everything is up in the air for now, but I have a feeling we won’t be disappointed. My only request is that whatever he whips up includes the “Watch This” dance.