Usher Shows Off His Body Language at the Staples Center

Karen Jordan

Jordan Taylor WrightSeeing an artist perform live in a venue can change your perception of their artistry, their skill, their talent. It’s no secret Usher can dance, or that he has borrowed moves over the years from the likes of Michael Jackson whom Usher has even been quoted as telling reporters in the past he wouldn’t be who he is without his legendary role model.

Usher seems to have studied the masters well as the R&B singer appeared to be at the top of his game when he performed his “UR Experience” Friday night at Staples Center to a packed house. His opening acts did their part to pump up the crowd with DJ Cassidy up first, getting some of the crowd on its feet as he played a mix of classic and newer beats, accompanied by two of his own musicians. He was followed by August Alsina, a new New Orleans-based R&B singer.

However, it was clear who the star of the show was when Usher hit the stage. Many of the young and old fans, and everybody in between, jumped up, smiled and bounced to the beat as Usher executed his signature moves, opening with snippets of his hits, “My Way,” “OMG” and “Nice and Slow.” He and his dancers put their athleticism on display from the outset.

The most memorable part of the night was when surprise guest, Chris Brown, strolled out from backstage to join Usher and August Alsina. Usher, Brown and Alsina then joined forces for “I Luv This Shit” with Alsina even documenting the occasion for posterity on his personal cell phone.  Chris Brown and Usher also performed their hit, “New Flame.”

Jeremih hit the stage as well as Kid Ink who teamed up with Usher for “Body Language.” Usher told the crowd it’s been about three years since he last performed a live concert in L.A., and they didn’t seem disappointed as he rained sweat, pumping out hits, including “Twisted,” “Caught Up,” and “You Make Me Wanna” assisted by a gold microphone with a matching stand. He also, intermittently, flexed his toned abs, causing some in the audience to roar when he took off his shirt.

“Sometimes you got to go through something to get to something,” Usher told his fans at one point before “slowing it down” with snippets of some of the hits spanning his 20-year career, including “Confessions,” “Let It Burn,” “My Boo” and “Lovers and Friends.”

He later got the crowd revved up with a remix version of “Good Kisser.” Usher, who was recently a coach on NBC’s “The Voice,” didn’t seem to hit a sour note with fans during his two-hour show. The horn section of his band even got in on the action, at times donning sunglasses reminiscent of The Blues Brothers. Usher also showed off his own instrumental skills, taking to the drums at one point.

After an encore, Usher ended the night showing off his vocal chops by singing “Without You,” crooning to his fans, “I can’t win, I can’t reign; I will never win this game without you.” After showing his appreciation, the R&B icon left his fans with a state of awe and a night they will not soon forget.

Usher performed at the Staples Center on Nov. 21