The entire country will be watching as Usher Raymond, the Millennial R&B King and sometimes pop sensation, takes the stage for his performance at the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show!
The highly decorated artist is no stranger to being in the winners circle as his career began as a child who would rise to stardom winning multiple Kids Choice and Teen Choice Awards. Continuing onward throughout his career to winning multiple AMA Awards, ASCAP’s & BMI’s, BET Awards, BBMAs, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image Awards, VMAs, and of course GRAMMYs! Brother even has an honorary doctorate degree from Berklee University! Usher is thee MAN!
Usher received the 2023 honorary doctorate degree from Berklee University
LET’S GET TO THIS LIST OF SPECIAL GUESTS WE NEED TO SEE:
Needless to say, “Lovers and Friends” is a tune that we all should be grooving to in two Sunday’s time as it’s also made famous by sharing the name with the title of Usher’s reoccurring tour. Now go tell your lovers and friends that Usher, John (Lil John) and Luda (Ludacris) need to do it again!
Not to mention other Lil John collaborative hits such as “Yeah”. Ummm… yeah. We’re going to have to request Usher reminds the world of that timeless musical era with the EastSide Boyz. While we are on the topic of Lil John tracks:
Then imagine if they went from that record to their dance break from Ushers 2004 tour when Beyonce popped out the floor and performed “Bad Girl” with full choreography. Oh, and “Naughty Girl” video when Usher made a choreography appearance. Hawt!!!
It would almost be blasphemy for super producer Jermaine Dupree and the SoSo Def family to not make an appearance at some point during the show. There’s way too many reasons but here’s a share of a few links leading you to the rabbit hole, but it’s totally up to you to go down.
OMG! When we said some times pop sensation we meant it! How could the world forget the WILL.I.AM record that had the entire globe going “Oh My God”. This would make the perfect close to a predictably memorable show on an extremely high note.
Rihanna at this year's Super Bowl Halftime Show and the shoes she wore. Image source: Getty/Saks Fifth Avenue.
Rihanna performed at the Super Bowl LVII on February 12th, cheered on by her boyfriend A$AP Rocky. She made a strong impression on the fashion world, wearing a custom-made Loewe and Alaïa entirely red outfit. The outfit included an unzipped jumpsuit, leather corset, sleeping bag coat, gloves, and Maison Margiela MM6 x Salomon sneakers. Boohoo’s study indicates that Google searches for ‘red sneakers’ in the US have increased significantly, with a surge of more than 136%, reaching an all-time high.
Rihanna’s Attire Grabs Everyone’s Attention
During her 13-minute Super Bowl show, there were over 5,000 searches for ‘Rihanna shoes,’ as per the data. The media has widely documented Rihanna’s preference for bright red sneakers. It also appears her influence has extended to the fashion choices of her fans.
Furthermore, the study found a remarkable surge in searches in the US for a ‘red jumpsuit’ after Rihanna’s performance, with a whopping 520% increase. Furthermore, the analysis discovered that searches for ‘red coat’ and ‘red puffer jacket’ rose significantly in the US, by 189% and 177%, respectively.
A Fashion Legend’s Coat and Red Sneakers: The Highlights of Rihanna’s Super Bowl Performance
The collaboration between Maison Margiela MM6 and Salomon Cross Low on Rihanna’s red sneakers led to a surge in search interest for both brands. According to Google Trends, searches for ‘Salomon sneakers’ soared by 417%, achieving their highest level in five years. Meanwhile, ‘MM6’ searches also hit a 5-year high, surging by 303% during the Super Bowl. This indicates that Rihanna’s fashion choices significantly impacted her popularity and the brands she wore.
MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Cross Low sneakers. Credit: Maison Margiela
While performing at the major sports event in Glendale, Arizona, the “Man Down” singer stunned the audience with an all-red outfit while performing a medley of her hit songs, such as “Only Girl in the World” and “We Found Love.” However, in the last few minutes of her performance, she paid homage to the legendary fashion icon André Leon Talley by donning an Alaïa sleeping bag coat, reminiscent of his iconic Norma Kamali coat. This added more meaning and depth to her already impressive performance.
On the left is Rihanna in Alaïa sleeping bag coat. On the right is André Leon Talley wearing Norma Kamali. Image source: @alaia/Instagram, Ike Edeani from @normakamali/Instagram.
The Heartfelt Response To Rihanna’s Coat Tribute
Talley’s official Instagram account recognized Rihanna’s tribute with an emotive caption that read, “When the sun shines, we’ll shine together. Told you I’ll be here forever… said I’ll always be your friend,” while tagging Rihanna and using the Super Bowl hashtag. The post featured a photo of Talley wearing the same coat Rihanna wore during her performance.
In another notable moment, Rihanna’s appearance on stage seemed to reveal that she was expecting her second child, as later confirmed by her representative. During the show, the superstar also promoted her brand, Fenty Beauty. Her makeup application during the Super Bowl performance led to an impressive 1,860% surge in searches worldwide.
Rihanna’s incorporation of her Fenty Beauty makeup application in the performance is essential as it allows her to showcase her brand and personal style in a high-profile event watched by millions of people. The use of Fenty Beauty during her performance can inspire viewers to try new makeup looks and experiment with their own personal style. Overall, Rihanna’s performances have a powerful impact on her fans, providing inspiration and motivation for individuals around the globe.
Boohoo’s Spokesperson Weighs In On Newly Released Findings
According to a Boohoo spokesperson:
“Rihanna is a well-known fashion trendsetter with a history of iconic looks to back it up, having also won the Style Icon Award at the CFDAs in 2014. It’s not the first time she caused red to trend, having previously sent red hair dye flying off the shelves in the early 2010s after dyeing her hair during her Loud era. Google data shows that ‘Rihanna red hair’ is still Googled over 11,000 times monthly, showing just how impactful her style is.
She is known for dressing fearlessly and inspiring others to do the same, which is why she’s so influential. Rihanna knows how to make a statement, and with the arrival of baby bump number two, we cannot wait to see the next round of groundbreaking maternity style she’ll no doubt pull off.”
The Multi-Faceted Approach: Staying Relevant Beyond One’s Field
Rihanna’s enduring charisma has helped her remain relevant and at the top of the music industry for over a decade. The singer uses her platform to entertain and promote meaningful social issues such as feminism, mental health, and racial equality. In sharing her experiences and struggles, Rihanna has created an authentic connection with her audience, allowing them to feel seen and understood.
Her ability to adapt and evolve in the ever-changing music industry has only added to her appeal and kept her fans engaged and excited for each new project. A testament to her hard work and entrepreneurial spirit is her successful business ventures, which have disrupted the beauty and fashion industries by promoting inclusivity and diversity. As a result of Rihanna’s magnetic presence and unwavering commitment to her beliefs, she inspires fans to be confident, bold, and unapologetically themselves.
Rihanna’s Super Bowl Performance sparked a line of questioning from fans as she performed in a bright red jumpsuit. At first, though, fans weren’t so sure.
“The whole timeline afraid to ask if Rihanna is pregnant”- Twitter @iramadisonthree
Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram were ablaze with fans questioning Rihanna’s potential pregnancy. This caused another group of fans to defend and praise her for showing off her postpartum body. After all, the singer gave birth to her first child with A$AP Rocky just last year.
Rihanna commented on her motherhood and her decision to perform at the halftime show during the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Press Conference.
“The Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages in the world. So as scary as that was, because I haven’t been onstage in seven years, there’s something exhilarating about the challenge of it all,” she said. “It’s important for representation, it’s important for my son to see that.”
And she made sure everyone saw her on the massive, seven-platform stage. She flew above the crowd, still performing killer vocals on songs like “Work” and “Rude Boy.” Though some criticized her for a lack of special guests, the real special guest was on stage the whole time.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
The performance drew 5 million more viewers than the game itself!
Surrounded by dancers dressed in custom white Fenty puffers, she performed a medley of hits with complex choreography. She proved that even with a long break from the stage, Rihanna can still “shine bright like a diamond.” Fans on social media said that this was the most engaging show since performers like Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga.
But her second pregnancy wasn’t the only special guest in her performance this year. Rihanna paused to touch up her makeup using Fenty Beauty’s Invisimatte setting powder mid-song. Fenty’s TikTok account recognized the iconic moment with a post of Rihanna using the powder with the caption, “Y’all wanted a special guest right?”
Regardless of any immediate confusion during the thrilling performance, fans could not be more happy to celebrate Rihanna’s comeback to music and her second pregnancy.
SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: In this image released on November 9, Rihanna attends Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video at Allied Studios on November 08, 2022 in Simi Valley, California; and broadcast on November 9, 2022. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Imagesfor Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video)
Almost a decade later since the release of 2016 ANTI and Rihanna is still climbing the charts with her remarkable album. She returned to the top 100 of the Billboard 200 chart this past week, with a total of now over 350 weeks on the chart.
Robyn ‘Rihanna‘ Fenty is not only climbing charts but breaking records. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Barbadian superstar extends her lead as the highest-certified female singles artist in RIAA’s history. The platinum plaques were 9x platinum certification for “Work,” 8x for “Needed Me,” 6x for “Love On The Brain,” 3x for “Kiss It Better,” and the first time for “Same Ol’ Mistakes” and “Higher.” The billionaire continues to break records with 161.5 million units sold.
Are You Ready For Rihanna’s First Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show?
These milestones occurring as the artist recently welcomed a baby boy into the world, received her first Academy Award nomination and prepares for her big Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show in a couple of weeks. Many are hoping for new music during the show, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
Setlist Has Been A Secret, New Music?
Rihanna has been doing a great job keeping the setlist under wraps. This is her first ever performance on America’s so-called biggest stage after turning the opportunity down a few years back. Fenty did this to show solidarity with then-NFL quarterback Colin Kapernick, who kneeled during the national anthem in a peaceful protest to police violence against Black people in America. Legends such as Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones and so many more have performed for the halftime show.
Savage X Fenty Game Day Collection
The Grammy-winning icon wouldn’t be a smart business woman if she didn’t find a way to fit Savage X Fenty into her huge moment. She shared a new teaser for her new game day collection. Will we see some of the new collection on dancers or even Rih Rih while she performs? We will see on the night of February 12.
Rihanna gestures on stage during her Fenty Beauty talk. Image source: Mark Ganzon, Getty Images for Fenty Beauty.
With the exciting news of Rihanna headlining the Super Bowl Halftime Show next year, she has a massive list of guests that can join her on one of the world’s biggest stages. TMZhas reported that the global superstar has not yet picked who will join her on stage. With her insane amount of hits and features, it would be hard to choose who she could fit in the 13-minute time slot if she decided to do so.
Rihanna’s Discography
After 17 years in the game, there are several songs that Rihanna can add to her set list. Most of them will also be heavy hitters. The first that comes to mind is “Umbrella,” featuring Jay-Z.
The song later solidified Rihanna into a pop superstar and earned her her first Grammy. While on the topic of Jay-Z, the pair could also add a snippet of “Talk That Talk” or “Run This Town” with Jay Kanye West.
Another possibility could be Eminem. The pair collaborated on the two record-breaking songs “Love The Way You Lie” and “The Monster.”
Calvin Harris also produced the infectious tracks “We Found Love” and “This Is What You Came For.”
She also has a handful of collaborations with Drake, including “What’s My Name” and “Work.” Other possibilities could be Paul McCartney, Maroon 5, Kendrick Lamar, and Pharell, where she can spit her standout rap verse from “Lemon.” With or without guests, this performance will be one for the books.
It will also be Rih’s first performance in over 5 years. It is set to go down on February 12 in Glendale, Arizona. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar took the stage last year in Inglewood, CA.
New Album?
Like most Super Bowl headliners, Rihanna will likely announce a new song, new album, or a tour. With recent pictures of Rihanna heading into the studio solo or with A$AP Rocky, her ninth studio album could finally be coming after months of teasing new music.
There are rumors that Rihanna will release a new song before Halloween, with the new album set to drop in January. It’s an exciting time for music and Rihanna fans. The National Fenty League has arrived.
