Usher being announced as the headline act for the Super Bowl halftime show splits fans, as some call the ‘Yeah!’ hitmaker ‘irrelevant’ while others describe him as ‘iconic’

Fans are split over Usher being announced as the headline act of the halftime show at Super Bowl LVIII, with some even attributing the ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ nickname, which is usually given to the player chosen as the last pick in the NFL draft, to the singer due to his lack of new music, as of late.

On Sunday, the NFL announced the 44-year-old, eight-time Grammy Award winner as part of its lineup for February’s big game in Paradise, Las Vegas. 

It will be the fifth partnership between the league and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to produce the halftime show, despite Usher not listed as one of the label’s signed artist. The 2023 headliner was Rihanna, the first year the show was sponsored by Apple Music.

Usher, who has had nine No. 1 hits and 18 in the top 10 on the Billboard music charts since 1997, has collaborated with some of the biggest stars in music, undoubtedly leading fans to wonder who might show up on the Super Bowl stage alongside him.

But, for now, it seems like some of them are dreading the hitmaker’s performance in five months time, while others are have been hit by feelings of nostalgia on social media. 

Usher, 45, was announced as the Super Bowl halftime show’s headline act this year by the NFL 

The ‘Yeah!’ hitmaker partnered with Kim Kardashian (R) to tell the world he’ll be performing

‘Wow it’s really cool they’re having Usher do the halftime show this year!!!’ said a user on X, formerly known as Twitter. ‘I wonder who they’re gonna choose for the 2007 Super Bowl!’ 

‘This is a terrible act for the Superbowl no one ever says at all (at a) tailgate ”hey can u play some user,” never,’ shared an NFL fan. ‘It’s bee yrs since they have a real group that’s huge. I’ll pass.’ 

‘Honestly, Usher performing the Super Bowl Halftime show is going to be so iconic,’ tweeted a fan of the ‘Yeah!’ singer. 

MIXED BAGS: People on social media either praised the NFL’s call or called Usher ‘irrelavant’

‘They couldn’t find anyone better or more relevant that Usher to do the Super Bowl halftime show?’ pointed out another user. 

‘Dude literally has the biggest show in Vegas the last 1.5 years,’ replied someone else, referring to Usher’s Las Vegas residency. 

Usher has been living in ‘Sin City’ since 2022, but announced that he plans to move by the end of this year, according to TODAY. 

Speaking of which, another fan revealed on X that ”f you didn’t get to attend usher’s residency def try and make it to that Super Bowl cuz he really puts on a great show.’