Welcome to the latest
TGJ Roundtable!
Over the years, That Grape Juice has established a distinguished voice that – whether loved or loathed – sparks discussion, debate, and on occasion drama!
Though comprised of seasoned writers who share a similar outlook on Urban Pop culture, the idiosyncrasies of the TGJ team members often lend to quite heated debates “behind the scenes” about the hottest topics.
Now, we give you a front-row seat to the show. In a format similar to ‘The View’ and your favorite panel shows, TGJ editors get real in a very candid way.
Today’s roundtable topic asks each anchor their thoughts on…
Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Show
Sam
I had lofty expectations heading into Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Show and I’m elated that he delivered…holistically.
Mr. Raymond has been long overdue for the gig. But timing is everything and this really felt like divine alignment given the momentum he’s been armed with from his Las Vegas residencies and various viral moments in recent years.
Diving into the performance itself, usually I subscribe to the notion of acts needing to make sure they start strong and finish strong as a priority.
In Usher’s case, however, his Halftime Show was on an energized incline and that worked too.
I wasn’t all that roused by the opening and felt there could have been more cohesion with the dancers; from the intricacies of their placement relative to Usher to the way their outfits didn’t blend with one another (thus making them feel kind of scattered).
Yet, by the time Alicia Keys made her grand entrance, that segment signaled the visual elevation of the entire spectacle.
It would be remiss of me to not address “that” opening note from the 16-time GRAMMY winner. That said, she made up for it with the charisma and chemistry she showcased with Usher during ‘My Boo.’ Plus said note seems to have been miraculously corrected in post-production, which I am all the way here for.
The show’s production itself was a particular highlight in and of itself; we served roller-skating, neon lights, aerial effects, and costume changes – the latter of which, it’s important to note, many male Halftime headliners have bizarrely bypassed. All came together to make for a seismic and visually immersive experience for me a viewer.
Make no mistake, though. Usher always remained the nucleus of the action.
Ever the showman, he showed up and showed out. From pulling off the rare skill of deploying high-octane choreography with live vocals to delivering swagger in earnest, he was in command throughout.
Guest appearances from the likes of Ludacris, Lil Jon, H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, and will.i.am were a treat, as was the sum of the setlist – which incorporated the lion’s share of the expected cuts. I probably am in the rare camp of those who’d have liked to see Usher seize the moment to sprinkle in newer numbers from his ‘Coming Home’ album (a ‘Good Good’ interpolation perhaps). That said, it’s Halftime and there’s an understood assignment: perform the classics.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed and salute Usher for meeting the moment. A moment he’s been due.
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Rashad
“OMG” is a fitting response to Usher’s electrifying Super Bowl Halftime Show.
The consummate crooner served up quite the reminder of why he is indeed among the last of a breed of performers who know how to navigate the entire stage without getting lost in the happenings around him.
The highs of the show were undoubtedly his maintained energy throughout while delivering live vocals and the guest list (I’m happy about the absence of Justin Bieber). On the other hand, the setlist – albeit the likely and best choices – wasn’t delivered in the best order if you ask me. I would’ve gladly appreciated an omission of some tunes (see: ‘Caught Up,’ ‘Bad Girl,’ ‘If I Ain’t Got You’) in place of longer renditions of ‘Nice & Slow,’ ‘OMG,’ or ‘DJ Got Us Falling in Love Again.’
My only real gripes with the show were the lack of dynamic entrance or exit (see: Madonna, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, or Katy Perry’s Super Bowl’s for reference) and how “busy” it was. Why were there so many colors, so many people doing different things, no real consistent theme on the visual front?
Regardless, the show was wholly entertaining and easily the best male-led Super Bowl we’ve seen since Prince! Kudos Usher for cementing yourself among the greats!
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Joe
Usher did that. The show was fun, electric, eclectic, and heavy on the nostalgia: a winning combo if you ask me.
Obviously, fitting all the iconic moments of his discography was never going to be possible in 13 minutes, yet the career-reflecting set hit every mark, and although it was a guest-heavy production, he remained the star of the show through and through.
On a personal tip, I would say that the entertainer seemed way more “careful” and “cautious” than usual, but I’ll put that on him being focused on delivering something slick and clean for the history books.
Well, mission accomplished. Take a bow, Ush!
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Do you agree with our picks? Who was spot on? Let us know your thoughts on the latest TGJ Roundtable and your thoughts on Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Show.