Usher addresses controversial Super Bowl hug with Alicia Keys and Nicki Minaj butt slap

Usher, the Grammy-winning artist known for his smooth moves and chart-topping hits, recently opened up about two memorable moments that sparked conversations and raised eyebrows. Let’s dive into what he had to say:

The Super Bowl hug with Alicia Keys

During the Super Bowl halftime show, Usher shared a warm embrace with Alicia Keys. Some critics questioned the appropriateness of the hug, considering that Alicia is married to music producer Swizz Beatz. Usher, however, clarified that the hug was purely celebratory. It symbolized the legacy of their collaborative song and was not meant to be disrespectful or suggestive. Swizz Beatz himself expressed no issue with the interaction, emphasizing the positive aspects of their artistic collaboration.

"In no way should anything done there be viewed as bad or perverted or anything like that. It was literally about having fun because of a song that me and Alicia made many years ago. And we celebrated because of the legacy of it. And no disrespect to anybody or anything like that. "

"We laughed about it. It’s crazy how people [focused on] that. It’s all about how you present things, man. But it’s all love."

The Nicki Minaj butt slap

In 2014, Usher made headlines when he playfully slapped Nicki Minaj’s butt during their performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. Reflecting on that moment, Usher explained that it was influenced by Jamaican culture and his bass-playing instincts. He admitted that he might have been “reaching a bit” and acknowledged that he shouldn’t have smacked her butt. Despite the playful intent, it became a memorable and controversial incident.

"That was Jamaican culture. You gotta go to Jamaica, you know what I’m saying? That was just a moment that was fun. And by the way, that was me playing my bass so I would have probably bumped my shoulder or my hand, but I had my bass in my hand so I just bopped off her body a little bit.

Go back and look at the video and you’ll understand ’cause I did it there for the first time. That was a little bit of Jamaican culture."

The Usher effect

Usher also addressed his portrayal in the animated series The Boondocks, where he is depicted as someone who makes ladies fall head over heels. Taking it in stride, he humorously referred to it as “the Usher effect.” Clearly, his charisma and dance moves have left an indelible mark on pop culture.

In conclusion, Usher maintains that both the Super Bowl hug and the Nicki Minaj butt slap were all in good fun and celebration. While opinions may differ, these moments continue to be part of Usher’s colorful journey in the music industry.