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          Super Bowl halftime show: Usher's performance pleases fans

          Usher performs onstage during the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday in Las Vegas. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
          • ESPN staffFeb 12, 2024, 02:05 AM

          During intermission of Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, Usher took the stage to headline the Apple Music Halftime Show.

          The eight-time Grammy Award-winner opened up the show with his 1997 song "My Way" into his 2004 hit single "Caught Up." He kept true to his preshow promise that the performance would serve as a tribute to the Black artists who have come before him as he donned a Michael Jackson-inspired outfit.

          "I think about what our country has kind of represented for Black artists having to at some point go through kitchens to even to be able to perform for an audience," he told Andscape's Kelley Carter in an interview on "Good Morning America."

          Usher also had a robust guest list. Jackson State University's Sonic Boom of the South marching band walked out with the superstar. Later, he was accompanied by Alicia Keys as they sang their duet "My Boo." As was standard during his residency in Las Vegas he performed on roller skates. But this time H.E.R. was next to him for a guitar solo. He capped off this show with "Yeah," alongside Lil Jon and Ludacris. Will.i.am and Jermaine Dupri also had brief cameos.

          Some of Usher's most famous fans, including his hometown Atlanta Braves and Falcons, were pleased with the performance.