ATLANTA — Usher's mom is proud to have witnessed her son's Superstar success over the years with his major Super Bowl 58 halftime performance just days away.
Jonnetta Patton watched the birth of music icon Usher, because she was there from the very beginning. The Atlanta artist's mother has been moved by his rise to success that she said started as a daily affirmation Usher would say to himself everyday of his career.
"He's the real deal. There's no fluff," Patton said. "This is a God-given talent. He was 13 years old when he started. This was a kid just having fun. When you see him on that stage, you're going to see it. He's still having fun, but it's at another level."
Patton credits her son's passion, dedication and work ethic for making him great. She said the city of Atlanta has also helped make him into the man he is today.
"I'm full of joy, because he's worked so hard – and when I tell you hard, he deserves every bit of what he's getting right now because he put in the work," Patton said. "That's what it takes to become an icon. I thank Atlanta, because they're the reason he's here. This is where he got his start. He embraces Atlanta. You see he took Atlanta to Las Vegas. He's going to take Atlanta to the Super Bowl."
Usher has enjoyed a 30-year career, including a residency in Las Vegas and most recently, a brand new album that came out Friday. He also has a tour scheduled throughout 2024.
As one of the many men behind the music, Christopher Hicks published and produced music for Usher, along with a number of singers and performers.
"I published Burn and Confessions Pt. 2 and U Got it Bad," Hick said. "Usher's a showman, phenomenal performer, hence the Super Bowl."
Hicks and Usher's ex-wife grew up together. She introduced Hicks to a budding superstar, and before long, Hicks and Usher found themselves caught up in the music. Hicks said Usher's voice sets him apart from other artists.
"It's unmatched, unrivaled," Hicks said. "He has no peer in the space, and it's very signature. I think this guy has been a centerpiece of pop music culture for a long time just by the numbers.”
So when Hicks learned about the opportunity of a lifetime, about his friend getting to entertain a global audience on one of the biggest stages in sports, he opted to support his friend from home and see the surprise in real time.
"We're going to watch the Usher show featuring the Chiefs and 49ers," Hicks said with a smile. "This is the biggest stage in the world for one night, and not many artists get that opportunity. I think he’s absolutely reveling in it.”
Even after all these years, Hicks said he would always treasure the bond he had with his friend Usher.
"These human interactions stick, especially when you have kids," Hicks said. "We were all complete savages as young men in the game, but when you have children, it rounds you out a little bit, softens you, changes your perspective. A friendship, kind of advisory bond and relationship. Everything he does, he has a circle of people he relies on for insight. I feel like I'm one of those people."
Patton will get to witness her son's halftime performance for the first time in real time in Las Vegas. She envisioned Usher's greatness in the music industry years ago, and she hopes those watching Sunday will see just the latest stop on her son's road to success.
"He stayed focused on the vision," Patton said. "Nothing deterred him from the overall goal, and that is to become one of the biggest, one of the greatest in the world. Anyone who didn't know who he was, you will know after this performance that he is the real deal. He is the truth."