Usher, left, was honored with the key to the city from Mayor Carolyn Goodman, along with an official proclamation from Las Vegas City Councilman Cedric Crear naming Oct. 17 as Usher Raymond Day here in Las Vegas, Tuesday, October 17, 2023, Brian Ramos.
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 | 10:44 p.m.
Usher, the eight-time Grammy-winning artist who will headline the halftime show for the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in February, is starting to feel at home in Las Vegas.
The love affair between community and performer includes Usher receiving a bejeweled key to the city in a ceremony Tuesday night with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and other city leaders at City Hall.
Usher has performed regularly in Las Vegas with his, “Usher: My Way The Vegas Residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM.” The show has 10 dates in November and two in December.
“I just want to continue to be an amazing contribution to your amazing city; I do see opportunity here, and the belief that everything that’s in my mind and that I’ve dreamed of is coming to life as a result of the city,” he said.
Councilman Cedric Crear declared Oct. 17 as “Usher Raymond Day,” labeling the R&B artist a “pillar in our community.” Usher’s full name is Usher Raymond IV.
Usher has spent much time in Las Vegas over the years.
His first Las Vegas residency brought him to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, where he performed 20 shows with some of his greatest hits before moving to Dolby Live on the south Strip. His biggest performance will come in February when he headlines the halftime show of the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
“(Usher) has been an absolutely incredible brand ambassador for Las Vegas with his extremely popular residency,” Crear said. “And how fitting is it that the entertainment for the halftime show is going to be — we already claimed you, my man — is our own Usher. ...And we know that you are going to do us proud when you get out there on that show, man.”
Usher isn’t just a singer though, as Crear was quick to point out. He’s also a dancer, actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Usher’s New Look Foundation — which he established in 1999 — helps “young people in underserved communities achieve their dreams just like (Usher) has,” Crear said.
Usher also helped with lobbying the U.S. Congress to make Juneteenth a federal holiday by penning an op-ed in the Washington Post in 2020, and participated in a cultural mission to Cuba in 2016 as part of former President Barack Obama’s committee for arts and humanities, Crear added.
After receiving his key to the city, Usher thanked Goodman and Crear for their “belief in the future” and said he is someone “who is not just contributing (to the city) by way of entertainment but also to the heartbeat of the city.”
Usher also expressed his yearning for continued success as well as plans to help underserved communities in the city.
“This is a man that cares about everybody,” Goodman said before handing the bejeweled key to the city to Usher. “What better marriage than the City of Las Vegas and the genius, benevolent, compassionate (and) talented Usher Raymond.”
Usher couldn’t share many details on the halftime show, but said it will pay tribute to some of the entertainment capital’s rich history of performers.
From singers like Frank Sinatra to iconic movies like "Casino," Usher explained that he’s hoping to show off the city, especially now that he’s “been able to contribute to the rich history” of it.
And with his long list of hits, audiences should expect some collaborations.
“There’s such history here, so I’m very mindful of where I’m playing,” Usher said. “I definitely am going to put on the show for Vegas, with Vegas.”
