“The ultimate countdown!!” Usher sings in his finest metal-wannabe wail of the 1986 Europe hit “The Last Countdown.”
And certainly it’s, now simply hours from Usher Raymond IV, 45, to play maybe the largest stage of his life: The Tremendous Bowl LVIII halftime present at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
However, as he stresses to The Submit from rehearsals, he’s not sweating it.
In reality, Usher even makes time to present us an unique picture shoot rocking his personal blinged-out equipment, together with his trademark “U” necklace, his personal private Tremendous Bowl ring and a {custom} handmade Dolce & Gabbana soccer encrusted with scores of Swarovski crystals.
This can be a man who has been getting ready for this second for 30 years — since he launched his self-titled debut as a 15-year-old in April 1994.
“You understand, this has been an incredible yr ramping as much as this,” stated Usher of his “My Approach” Las Vegas residency that completed on the Dolby Dwell-Park MGM in December after 17 months and 100 exhibits.
“It undoubtedly helped to play 100 sold-out exhibits, in preparation for the Tremendous Bowl,” he added. “Now, clearly, a a lot greater viewers. And the 200 million folks that might be watching in all probability provides a little bit of stress, however . . . I’m prepared, man. I’m now simply in preparation to take pleasure in it.”
If you’ve had such monster No. 1 hits as 1998’s “Good & Gradual,” 2001’s “U Remind Me,” 2004’s “Yeah!” and 2008’s “Love in This Membership” — plus a brand-new album, “Coming Residence,” out Friday — the largest problem isn’t execution.
“You understand, the toughest half was actually crafting it — not truly doing it,” stated Usher. “As a result of 12 minutes will not be lots of time to squeeze in 30 years, you understand what I’m saying?”
And together with his scorching Vegas residency having made him the largest stud in Sin Metropolis — it turned the final word women’ journey vacation spot after Usher serenaded Kim Kardashian for all of social media to see in April 2023 — he was a pure selection to guide the mid-game throwdown between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
Jay-Z and his Roc Nation firm — producers of the halftime present since 2019 — couldn’t deny the apparent after Usher virtually serenaded the underwear off everyone from Keke Palmer to Janelle Monáe throughout his residency.
“After having this yr in Las Vegas, I’m like, ‘I don’t know if Jay-Z goes to have an alternative choice,’” stated Usher matter-of-factly.
“I assumed, ‘I get it. I perceive why you need me to do it. It’s actually good of you as a curator to grasp that.’”
Whereas again within the day when Wayne Newton was often known as Mr. Las Vegas, the glitzy metropolis was thought-about a haven for has-beens, that’s not the case, with everybody from Adele and Girl Gaga to U2 having current residencies.
However none of these A-plus-listers got here near steaming up the scene with their viewers participation like Usher.
“I prefer to have a very good time,” he stated. “I don’t need anyone to, you understand, get in hassle. However for those who [do], they are saying what occurs in Vegas is meant to remain in Vegas.”
Now, after being a particular visitor when the Black Eyed Peas have been the headliners in 2011, Usher is attending to have his personal Tremendous Bowl second.
“Luck favors the ready, and typically endurance could be rewarded as long as you’re steadfast in what you imagine,” he stated.
And Usher has been affected person with himself in ready to launch “Coming Residence” — his first solo album in eight years — till he was good and prepared.
“Although I had gone via lots of experiences that I felt have been attention-grabbing and gave me some actually cool matters and issues to speak about and share, I simply didn’t really feel like I used to be able to share a full physique of labor but,” he stated. “There have been some issues that wanted to be labored out, and I really feel like now’s the time.”
Actually, it will likely be Usher’s time come Tremendous Bowl Sunday.
“This can be a legacy second — and a legacy second that has given me the chance to have a good time in a spot that I name a house away from dwelling: Las Vegas,” he stated. “It’s identical to dwelling to me now.”