Eight-time Grammy Award-winning artist Usher has made his first comments since being announced as the headliner for the Super Bowl LVIII half-time show, which will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2024.

Usher described the experience as "an honour of a lifetime" that he will finally be able to check off his bucket list.

Usher has sold more than 80 million records worldwide since the release of his debut self-titled album in 1994.

The Super Bowl news was kept under wraps among a close-knit group of people until today's announcement.

"It's been a lot to keep secrets from my own kids at home," Usher told Apple Music's Zane Lowe in his first interview following the announcement.

He told Lowe what it was like to get the call from Jay-Z, who delivered the news to him.

"When I got this call … he said 'it's time, it's magic time. It's time for you to have that moment.'"

Jay-Z asked Usher if he was ready, to which the only answer to that question was: "Absolutely. No question."

Jay-Z's sport and entertainment agency Roc Nation entered a partnership with the NFL in 2019 in a bid to boost the quality of the Super Bowl's half-time shows.

In a statement, Jay-Z sang Usher's praises.

"Usher is the ultimate artist and showman," Jay-Z said.

"Ever since his debut at the age of 15, he's been charting his own unique course.

"Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul.

"His remarkable journey has propelled him to one of the grandest stages in the world.

"I can't wait to see the magic."

Usher spoke to Lowe from Paris, where he is undertaking a new residency after a two-year residency in Las Vegas.

He said he "can't wait" to hit the stage at the Super Bowl.

"Thirty years after you start, you potentially play the Super Bowl," Usher said.

"Some people wait an entire lifetime. You know what I'm saying?

"But I don't feel like this is my lifetime. I feel like I'm only kind of starting to really, really get comfortable."

Lowe asked him if watching the Super Bowl half-time shows as a kid was the beginning of the manifestation for him to eventually take that stage.

"I think being able to see performances from artists like Michael [Jackson], you know, eventually Prince and then even more modern-day artists.

"And, to be perfectly honest, to see artists that even started … after I did … I was like, man, at some point, I need to get the call.

"What's going on?

"But I'm really happy that I'm joining that shortlist of legacy artists from my genre who deserve this moment."

Usher said the half-time show would be a moment to remember, and reflected on performing in Vegas.

"When I look out into that audience, and I see my fans who made a decision to have this be their destination with their loved ones or either their friends and have an amazing time, it just reminded me, but also to re-energise my passion for what I do.

"I've always loved the live aspect of it more than anything.

"I enjoy making incredible records that touch places that I'll probably never go, but to literally be on the stage and perform every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday … for an audience that I know came to see me, It really, really feels connected.

"It felt like if Vegas had ever become a place where artists came to just preserve their past legacy – I don't look at it as that.

"I've always looked at it as an opportunity to open new doors and new opportunities and look what happened."

The Confessions singer has announced a new album, Coming Home, where he will again team up with producer LA Reid.

He describes Coming Home as a love letter to the legacy of his career.

Lowe asked Usher whether he would bring out any guests at the Super Bowl and Usher put the question back onto him, asking who he'd like to see him team up with onstage.

"I've collaborated with a lot of incredible artists throughout the years," Usher said.

"If anything, I'd like to socially engage the world.

"I'd like to hear who you think would be a great guest to complement [the show]."

The Super Bowl LVIII halftime show will take place Monday, February 12, 2024 (Australian time) in Las Vegas