R&B Star Usher to Headline 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show

FILE PHOTO: Usher poses at the Met Gala in New York City, New York, US, May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Usher poses at the Met Gala in New York City, New York, US, May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
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R&B Star Usher to Headline 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show

FILE PHOTO: Usher poses at the Met Gala in New York City, New York, US, May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Usher poses at the Met Gala in New York City, New York, US, May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

Grammy-winning artist Usher will headline the halftime show at the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas, Nevada, the National Football League (NFL), Apple Music and label Roc Nation announced on Sunday.

The 58th Super Bowl is scheduled to take place at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11, 2024.

"It's an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list," Usher said in the statement. "I can't wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they've seen from me before."

Since the release of his debut album in 1994, Usher Raymond IV has sold over 80 million records worldwide, climbing atop music charts and bringing home eight Grammy awards, considered by many to be the most prestigious awards in the music industry.

Billboard magazine crowned him the second most successful artist of the 2000s.

"U Got It Bad," "OMG," and "Yeah!" are among the 44-year-old singer's chart-topping hits. Usher is currently performing in Las Vegas as part of his residency show "Usher: My Way."

"Usher is an icon whose music has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape throughout his career," NFL Head of Music Seth Dudowsky said in the news release announcing the decision.

Last year's Super Bowl Halftime Show, headlined by R&B star Rihanna, was the most-watched halftime performance of all time, organizers said.

Iconic artists including the Rolling Stones, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Prince and Bruce Springsteen have taken the Super Bowl stage over the years.



Ousmane Dembélé Back in PSG Squad to Take on Nice in French League

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, center, duels for the ball with Rennes’ Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, center, duels for the ball with Rennes’ Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
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Ousmane Dembélé Back in PSG Squad to Take on Nice in French League

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, center, duels for the ball with Rennes’ Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, center, duels for the ball with Rennes’ Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Ousmane Dembélé is back with Paris Saint-Germain after he was left out from the squad that lost 2-0 to Arsenal in the Champions League midweek.

PSG coach Luis Enrique was criticized after the loss for not selecting Dembélé, one of the most creative players in the team following the departure of Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid.

Dembélé was selected in a group of 21 players named by Enrique traveling to Nice on Sunday night. PSG can move back to the top of the French league standings with a win, The AP reported.

Enrique had blamed Dembélé for a perceived lack of commitment from the France forward but did not give more details. He denied he had a personal argument with him after L’Equipe reported the duo verbally clashed following PSG’s 3-1 win against Rennes in the French league last weekend. Dembélé had an assist in the match.

“There is just a problem of commitment toward the team, it’s not a problem between the player and the coach,” Enrique said through a translator.

PSG traveled to London with 22 players but without Dembélé, who has been a key element in PSG’s unbeaten start to the season. In six Ligue 1 matches, Dembélé has scored four goals and added three assists.

“I took the best possible decision,” Enrique said, adding he was supported in his choice by the club director.

Enrique’s other options up front to cover Dembélé include Randal Kolo Muani and Désiré Doué.

“Other players will be able to take over,” PSG right back Achraf Hakimi said. “The most important thing in the team is the group, and our group is united.”