Justin Bieber and Usher teamed up for an irresistibly sweet Grammy performance, starting with the little Biebs’ 2007 audition for his mentor on video — singing “U Got It Bad.” Their banter onstage was pretty eye-rollingly sentimental: “Now it’s your time,” Usher told Bieber as he left the coiffed teen idol to perform an acoustic version of his massive hit “Baby.” What no mention of his origin-story documentary, Never Say Never 3D, in theaters now? Biebs has been promoting that thing everywhere — even the freaking Daily Show! — so I was a little shocked to see him actually singing again.
Fact was, though, he sounded great, especially on the stripped down “Baby.” His movie theme song, “Never Say Never,” was up next, and while it’s just not as beautifully pure a pop song as “Baby,” the Ninja drum corps/gymnasts really spiced it up nicely. We were also treated to yet another omnipresent tiny entity, Jaden Smith, of the Will and Jada and Willow Smiths, rapping. (And, man, were his parents proud during those reaction shots!)
Usher had to follow all of that up with his performance of his own hit “Oh My Gosh,” which was, well, pure Usher: Great dancing, rousing beats, and a nice dance bit at the end with Justin. Count this as one more way pop culture is beating every last one of us into submission: We will like Justin Bieber. Oh yes we will.
What did you think, PopWatchers? What was the best part of the Bieber-Usher performance? Bieber? Usher? The tiny Smith? Or the Ninja drummers?
Image Credit: Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com
More on the Grammys from EW.com:
2011 Grammy Awards: We’re live-blogging it!
Lady Gaga’s Grammys arrival is predictably weird: See it here
Lady Gaga Performs “Born This Way” at the Grammys
Grammys 2011: The winners list
Beiber is already almost taller than Usher.
How can anyone not find joy in watching Justin Beiber. He is a treasure.
He’s an over-hyped child.
Then bury him and draw up a map
tiny Smith.
Oh, no we won’t. I made it past the cloying video and ridiculous banter. Couldn’t make it past the second “Baby, baby, baby, oh.” Turned the channel.
so glad his voice has begun to crack up. Hope he’ll vanish soon
omg great performance guys love ya biggest fan and #1lol vero
guys who can’t watch Bieber and usher so hot together and make shure to watch his commercial on YouTube ablitz channel with ozzy ozbourne (Bieber) vero
In all honesty, it was a really good performance. It took some time but the kid has completely won me over. It makes me happy to see that there are still artists who can sing live in existence.
I don’t know if I am won over, but I do feel that was the best performance of the night up to that point.
Pinpointing, I think it’s that he has the right amount of confidence- visible, but not obnoxious- and he’s not boring to watch on the stage. Not to mention, my siblings loving admiration for him is more than a little infectious
hi
Beiber looks like he just gave Usher a BEI-JER. swallow it little girl/boy.
It’s always nice to see intelligent comments…
I try… People like you make it all worth while. Thanks champ.
much obliged
I see Bubba in your not too distant future.
entertaining and fun. good job, Bieber
Can’t stand this little puke being shoved down our throats. Feel like everytime I turn on the TV he’s there. Luckily by the end of 2011 I suspect some newer teen idol will burst onto the scene (courtesy of the Hollywood PR machine) and this annoying kid will be gone. That’s really the only reason I can’t stand him…he’s everywhere!
yeah, the omnipresence can get tiring, but I don’t mind the kid himself
They were awesome!!! How could you not just love it?!!!
I was watching it at a bar that had the volume off, but when the drummers and ninjas appeared, I started thinking, “Mortal Kombat!”
talented kid, but he’s bound to suffer from overexposure soon. his movie, superbowl commercials, the grammys, even a csi cameo. it’s just too much.
An ok performance. Usher was great as always. But, Bieber was awful. Tonight was proof that he can’t sing, perform, or dance.
Enough Bieber, already. I understand that little girls love him, but he needs to take a vacation for a while.