R&B superstar Usher is preparing for his upcoming Las Vegas residency. He took a gamble by booking shows in Sin City during a pandemic but the demand to see Ursh perform is so high, he’s added six more dates in August.
By now, you may have seen “The Voice” coach’s baby face plastered onto dollar bills. In a new interview with Billboard, Usher shared some details about how and why Ush Backs were created.
“The idea behind Usher Bucks was really as a way of promoting the residency. And since then, there has been more conversations, thus proving roads lead to Las Vegas,” he explained. “Stay tuned. We’ve been working on the merchandise for the night and that was the start of it.”
The 42-year-old entertainer also mentioned to the music publication that when it comes to marketing, he’s learned a great deal from REVOLT chairman Sean “Diddy” Combs. The rest of his savvy promotion comes from his “great team” who has been making it rain Usher Bucks throughout the city ahead of the singer’s string of shows.
Ursh said his staff is working hard “behind the scenes and on the stage putting together the show, promoting the show, coming up with ideas of how to promote the show and market the merchandising.” “A lot of great detail and thought has gone into the experience,” he said. “From the moment you walk into the Colosseum to the moment you leave the Colosseum we’re going to definitely make it an environment to enjoy, experience and celebrate.”
Usher Bucks may be good for something at The Colosseum at Caesars, but nearby at the Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club, the R&B vet knows to use real bills. Earlier this month, a rep for the singer had to clear up an incident involving a stripper who took to social media with the faux cash. “Ladies what would you do if you danced all night for usher and he threw this??” she wrote beneath a picture of the Ush Bucks. Now, knowing that Usher actually spent thousands of dollars and paid for bottle service at Sapphire, it appears the post could’ve been part of a ploy.
Usher plans to perform plenty of his hits, backed by a live band, during his Las Vegas residency beginning July 16 through August 14.