Usher is marching on with purpose and appreciation to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show 2024.

And when he gets there, he’ll be waving the flag for R&B in a major way.

The icon covers a digital edition of Vogue Magazine and seized the moment to open up about the performance the world will be watching on February 11. 

Posing it up with model Carolyn Murphy, the 45-year-old offered up insights into what folk can expect from the 13-minute spectacle – which arrives just days after the release of his 9th studio album ‘Coming Home.’

Beyond a seismic celebration of R&B, Usher promises the showing will be a nod to his idols Michael Jackson and Prince – who headlined Halftime before him.

Pics and quotes below…

Excerpt on R&B Being the Focus of His Performance:

 “This night was specifically curated in my mind to have R&B take the main stage,” he says, and he’s pulled together people who represent, for him, the genre’s architects. “Not just R&B music, but R&B performance, R&B connection, R&B spirit.”

On Being Inspired By Michael Jackson & Prince:

“I’m thinking about the fact that I’ve been able to walk through the front door as a result of their sacrifice and ability. So I’m carrying a little bit of that. It’s made me feel joyous. It made me feel like I want to go out there, and I want the world to smile when they look at me. I want them to feel something, and feel my passion, my love, feel like I was the right person to sit in this position, and I was the right person to bring this kind of energy and love and connection to the entire world.”

On What He Wants People to Take Away From His Halftime:

“People will tune in for a football game, but I hope when they look at that Halftime performance, I’m hoping they walk away with something that’s healing them. Something that makes them feel hopeful, and not just look at the past, but have hope for the future, and have hope for a different type of future than we’re looking at right now in the present.”

On Establishing More Than a Title:

“You know, everybody’s always talking about my being the king of something. I’m not invested in that. I thank you, I thank you very much. That means I work really hard to be the king of something,” he says, turning back to look at me, making sure I really see. “But a kingdom. That is going to last longer.”

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: Campbell Addy / Vogue]