'Yeah!' Usher triumphs in thrilling Super Bowl halftime performance

In his thrilling, guest-packed and sweat-soaked halftime performance at Sunday's Super Bowl, Usher took the world to his hometown of Atlanta, and he had everybody saying, "Yeah!"

That's "Yeah!" as in his 2004 smash, which anchored the 45-year-old superstar's performance and brought guests Ludacris and Lil Jon along to the party. They were just two of several stars who joined Usher during his centerpiece showcase on the world's biggest stage, which he nailed with style, grace and ease, reminding tens of millions of people of the breadth of his talents and the depth of his catalog.

Alicia Keys was on hand as well, and so were Jermaine Dupri, will.i.am and H.E.R. There was a tribute to host city Las Vegas, a marching band element and even an homage to roller skating culture, all built around hits from Usher's 30-year career, which reinforced his standing as one of R&B's all-time biggest acts and most entertaining performers.

Of course, a Super Bowl halftime performance is no longer just a halftime performance; Usher released a new album, "Coming Home," on Friday, and tickets for his upcoming tour — which includes Sept. 12 and 13 dates at Little Caesars Arena — go on sale Monday.

Consider Sunday's performance a teaser for that tour, or even an invite.

Usher began, appropriately, on a throne, wearing all white as he glided his way across the football field to the large stage that was positioned at the 50-yard line. He was surrounded by contortionists, acrobats and dozens of dancers as he blazed through "Caught Up," one of several songs from his landmark 2004 album "Confessions" that he built the set around, as he played up the glitz and showmanship of host city Las Vegas on his way down the yellow brick road to Atlanta.

Usher's Michael Jackson-smooth moves — he even wore one glove, like MJ — were light as air, and he threw in pieces of "U Don't Have to Call" and "Love in This Club" before cameras panned to Keys, who was on the far end of the long stage playing a space-age red piano that looked like the Starship Enterprise. Decked out in matching red, she sang a piece of her own "If I Ain't Got You" before she and Usher rolled into their duet, "My Boo," as Usher wrapped his arms around the singer.

Dupri appeared to toast "Confessions" while Usher appeared at center stage, singing pieces of "Confessions," "Nice & Slow," "Burn" and "U Got it Bad." He doffed his shirt, first revealing a tank top and then quickly removing it to expose his bare chest, while H.E.R. appeared and whipped through a fiery guitar solo that doubled as a tribute to Prince, as her movements directly recalled the Purple One's mighty performance at the 2007 Super Bowl.

It all moved very quickly from one moment to the next, and if there was a big picture issue with the 12-song set, it's that it was slightly overstuffed; by the time you realized that was will.i.am underneath the Tron-like electric helmet sunglasses, joining Usher on their joint hit "OMG," it was already on to the next.

It should be noted that Usher donned a pair of roller skates at one point — and danced in them! — the first time a Super Bowl halftime performer has had wheels on his feet probably since the wacky early days of game's halftime extravaganzas, before they were rites of passage for the world's biggest pop stars. (Remember when the halftime show was a tribute to Indiana Jones?)

But Usher was a generous host, and he allowed his collaborators to shine along with him: Lil Jon was able to work in his own "Turn Down for What" from what looked like the center of a mosh pit before ramping up the crowd with those iconic opening synth notes of "Yeah!" And the marching band that was on hand segued into "Get Low" by Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz as the performance wrapped, yet another shout-out to Atlanta, after Ludacris performed his part on "Yeah!" and the band spelled out U-S-H-E-R on the field.

The set managed to be both singular and collaborative, and it had the feel of one big celebratory party, for both an artist and a city.

"I took the world to the A!" Usher repeated as all of his guests joined him at center stage in triumph, as the stage bounced so much it shook. He did his city proud, and himself as well, and gave the world one heck of a show in the process.

agraham@detroitnews.com