Usher’s Halftime Show: An Ode to the Southern Black Experience
He followed Jay-Z’s advice and did it for the culture
The anticipation was great. For weeks fans gathered and predicted the set list; everything from which hits would be selected, to who would make a guest appearance, to the order of the tracks. Millions tuned in, excitedly singing and dancing along to what, for many of us, is like a soundtrack of our lives. And with 30 years of experience under his belt, Usher’s performance may have single-handedly solved the generation wars between Gen X, Millenials, and Gen Z (at least for 13 minutes).
While there were clear elements that paid homage to his recently wrapped Las Vegas residency, such as the plethora of showgirls, and Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatic performers, there is no mistake in saying that Usher’s halftime performance was an Ode to Blackness. During his interview with Gayle King, the R&B powerhouse mentions advice that was given to him by Jay-Z:
“I want you to play the ones that we love, that we know you for. Give ’em the moments that they, you know, look forward to seeing,’” like, ‘Go for the culture.’
HBCU High-Step Marching Bands
The first thing that has to be addressed is the high-step marching band featured in the…
