Usher Talks Super Bowl Halftime Show With Apple Music’s Zane Lowe – Billboard

Usher began off the 17-minute interview by telling Lowe simply how excited he’s to be enjoying the Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present. “That is essentially the most grand stage to each play on,” the crooner says. “It’s been on my bucket listing for a very long time. I’ve been requested many a time, ‘What are the benchmarks? What are the issues that matter essentially the most to you?’ With the ability to carry out on that stage, as a result of so many superb performers all through the years have graced it and performed an incredible job.”

One of many massive questions on Lowe’s thoughts was what it was like getting the decision from Roc Nation founder/chairman Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter about headlining the Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present. “Me and the massive homie, we speak typically,” mentioned Usher, who obtained the information whereas doing his My Means the Vegas Residency at Dolby Stay at Park MGM. “However once I bought this name and he mentioned, ‘It’s time, it’s magic time. You understand, it’s time so that you can have that second.’ I’m like, ‘What are you speaking about? He’s like, ‘the Tremendous Bowl. You prepared?’ Completely. It was like this was destined to occur.” Usher is presently booked on the Vegas venue by way of early December.

Lowe didn’t wait to ask the query on everybody’s thoughts: Will Usher convey out any particular company throughout his Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present efficiency? “Properly, one factor I can say is I’ve collaborated with plenty of unimaginable artists all through the years,” Usher replied earlier than placing Lowe on the spot and asking his ideas on potential onstage collabs. “You’re not asking me that,” Lowe laughed. Usher put an finish to the query, including, “There’ll be many extra Sundays to speak about this main as much as the grand Sunday of all. I’m so blissful that we had been capable of launch it as we speak.”

Usher calls his upcoming ninth album, Coming Dwelling, “a love letter as soon as once more to the legacy of my of my profession.” The brand new set — which options beforehand launched single “Good Good,” that includes Summer time Walker and 21 Savage — will drop on the identical day as his Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present. The art work for Coming Dwelling incorporates a shirtless Usher holding a peach behind the again of his neck. “I’m coming house, I’m again with my group,” the artist mentioned, noting that he’s working with Antonio “L.A.” Reid. “Even if you see the art work, you’ll perceive it. Once you see the peach. You get it. You perceive the place I’m from and what we’re doing.” The set is presently out there for pre-order on Apple Music.

Throughout the sit-down, Usher took a second to mirror on the wealthy legacy of the Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present and the previous superstars like Michael Jackson and Prince, who’ve graced the massive stage. “You concentrate on all of the individuals who have performed it and simply the thought of how Jay-Z and Roc Nation have actually introduced a mindfulness to our tradition,” he mentioned. “Thirty years of a profession deserves this type of second.” The 44-year-old singer added, “Some folks wait a whole lifetime, you recognize what I’m saying? However I don’t really feel like that is my lifetime. I really feel like I’m solely sort of beginning to actually, actually get snug.”

Lowe additionally used the interview as a possibility to mirror on the Usher’s blockbuster fourth studio album, Confessions, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary in March. “It’s the final Diamond album particularly in my style for any artist,” the singer mentioned, noting that as we speak’s music is primarily consumed by way of streaming platforms. “10 million albums offered, beginning off with 1.1 million items the primary week. So actually excited concerning the twentieth anniversary of Confessions.” The album spent 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart after its launch in 2004.

Usher has been going robust because the launch of his 1994 self-titled debut. Throughout his profession, the singer has 18 amassed high 10 hits on the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart, together with 9 No. 1’s, with songs like “U Received It Unhealthy,” “Yeah!” (that includes Lil Jon and Ludacris), “My Boo” (with Alicia Keys) and “OMG” (that includes will.i.am). He additionally has 4 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 albums chart to his title throughout his profession. So what’s his secret to his success? “If you happen to keep motivated and also you keep centered on the work and never the stress when there are worrying moments, don’t utterly give all the best way into it,” the star mentioned. “I suppose it’s staying artistic. One thing about this journey has been about by no means arriving.”