During Usher’s spectacular Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance, a familiar face graced the stage, adding an electrifying guitar solo to the mix – H.E.R. Known for her genre-bending approach to music, H.E.R., an accomplished R&B artist, has consistently pushed boundaries, experimenting with country (nominated for a CMT Award for Hold On with Chris Stapleton) and rock (covering Foo Fighters’ The Glass). Her presence at the Super Bowl further cemented her status as a versatile and dynamic musician.
This Super Bowl performance was particularly poignant for H.E.R., whose journey has been intertwined with one of Usher’s special guests, Alicia Keys. Years before taking the Super Bowl stage, a young Gabi Wilson, H.E.R.’s childhood moniker, showcased her talent by playing Alicia Keys’ songs. At ten, she performed a Keys’ tune on piano on the Today Show, and at twelve, she covered Keys’ hit Fallin’ at the 2010 BET Awards. The synchronicity of sharing the Super Bowl stage with Keys was a powerful moment, highlighting H.E.R.’s remarkable trajectory.
Social media quickly buzzed with recognition and praise for H.E.R.’s guitar prowess. Many fans lauded Usher’s choice to feature such a talented, yet sometimes underrated, artist on such a massive platform. Comments flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with one user exclaiming, “H.E.R. is so talented and underrated I’m so glad Usher brought her out!!!!” Another commenter drew comparisons to the legendary Prince, noting, “I love that H.E.R. has kind of taken over Prince’s reputation for randomly showing up to big celebrations and killing it on guitar for a minute.” This comparison speaks volumes about the impact and virtuosity of H.E.R.’s guitar playing.
Adding another layer to the narrative, H.E.R. herself shared an Instagram post reflecting on her past. The post featured a photo of an 11-year-old H.E.R. singing the National Anthem at a 49ers game in Vegas, the same city hosting this year’s Super Bowl. This full-circle moment resonated deeply with fans, as encapsulated by a commenter who wrote, “Full circle 😍 you were made for this!”
H.E.R.’s Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance as Usher’s guitar player was more than just a cameo; it was a celebration of her journey, talent, and well-deserved recognition on one of the world’s biggest stages. Her electrifying guitar solo and stage presence undoubtedly solidified her place as a prominent figure in contemporary music.
