Ludacris and Lil Jon have joined forces to pay tribute to their longtime friend Usher in a new commercial for Apple Music, set to air during the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Billed as a “mini movie” and featuring actress Taraji P. Henson, the commercial reunites the two rappers to celebrate their “Yeah!” collaborator ahead of his anticipated Super Bowl LVIII performance on Sunday (February 12).
In a nod to the classic comedy film, The Hangover, Lil Jon, Ludacris, and Taraji embark on a quest to get Usher to the Super Bowl on time, following a series of clues along the way. Their journey includes encounters with an all-star cast of supporters, including J Balvin, Anderson .Paak, Blue Man Group, comedian Criss Angel, and alternate versions of themselves played by Wesley Snipes and André 3000.
The commercial seamlessly weaves in 14 songs, sparking speculation that Usher might include them in his Halftime Show set.
Meanwhile, Usher recently shared his thoughts on the resurgence of R&B in recent years, dismissing the notion that the genre was ever dead.
In a Billboard interview published on Wednesday (February 7), Usher expressed his appreciation for the authenticity of contemporary R&B artists and their homage to the genre’s origins. He emphasized the importance of expanding the R&B market and creating associated products, similar to the culture surrounding hip-hop.
According to Usher, R&B’s evolution is driven by changing consumer behaviors, such as the influence of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. He believes that embracing these shifts will redefine the standards of R&B, moving away from comparisons between old and new and towards a more progressive approach to the genre.
