Usher Reflects On 2014 VMAs, Regrets Smacking Nicki Minaj’s Butt [Video]

As Usher is still on a high following his record-breaking Super Bowl halftime show, the singer is reflecting on several of the most chaotic moments throughout his illustrious career. 

The “Coming Home” star sat down with “The Breakfast Club” on Monday, where he took a stroll down memory lane with the show’s hosts. Charlamagne Tha God brought up the infamous performance with him and Nicki Minaj at the 2014 Video Music Awards. Usher was playing the guitar while he hilariously headbutted Minaj’s butt before tapping it. According to Usher, the moment was simply his love for Jamaican culture being demonstrated, though he did express regret for smacking Minaj’s behind. 

“I think I was reaching a bit when I smacked her, though. I shouldn’t have smacked her butt. I shouldn’t have done that,” the 45-year-old shared. 

Charlamagne also brought up the famous “Boondocks” episode in season two, when Usher nearly sings a woman away from her husband. There has been a long-running joke that Usher has a way of stealing women from their men. Keke Palmer and her baby daddy, Darius Jackson, famously sprawled online after Usher serenaded Palmer during his Las Vegas residency. “The Breakfast Club” then segued into the highly talked about Alicia Keys guest appearance during his Super Bowl show. Many believed that Usher was out of line for sweetly hugging Keys on stage as they performed their hit record, “My Boo.” However, the Grammy Award winner says the moment was only a celebration of their hit single. He says that he spoke with Swizz Beatz and Keys, who had no issue with the performance. 

“Absolutely, we laughed about it… it’s all about how you present things. It’s all love,” Usher shared.