Usher may be the uncrowned king of Vegas, thanks to the success of his Usher: My Way Las Vegas residency, but on April 1, he almost became the most hated man in America — or at least Raleigh, North Carolina. During his set at Dreamville Festival, the “Glu” singer decided to have a little fun with the crowd.
Instead of provocatively feeding fans strawberries, the musician wanted to step into the role of prankster before April Fool’s Day came to a close. Before the audio engineer could cue up the next track in his set list, Usher instructed them to pump the breaks. The recording artist then took a moment to address the eager crowd.
“I said I would have a special surprise for you tonight, ladies and gentlemen,” said the singer, continuing, “You guys want to know what that surprise is?”
As the crowd’s anticipation grew, he declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, put your hands together for the one, the only — Beyoncé.” The concertgoers erupted with cheer as the lights dimmed. But after a few seconds, when the “Break My Soul” singer didn’t take the stage, fans grew uneasy. Usher then confessed that it was all a prank, “April fools.”
Usher ain’t shit for this Beyonce April Fool’s prank pic.twitter.com/8Scpfu1Qjf
— scottie better (@soulqrn) April 2, 2023
While the pair have collaborated in the past on music, in music videos, and onstage, Dreamville Festival 2023 was not going to be the place for their reunion.
Fans took to social media to share their reaction to the prank, with some even claiming to have been in attendance.
When he get home and open his closet… pic.twitter.com/dknRqdDfWT
— TWD fanatic (@itweetdavie) April 2, 2023
Usher pulled the ultimate “Watch this” , which is fittingly for the Dreamville 2nd tier festival. https://t.co/frB9PrXWMN pic.twitter.com/DcXDDe59Tr
— Andrew Jerell Jones, Luke 1:37 (IG:twdbk3) (@sluggahjells) April 2, 2023
Me in that arena: pic.twitter.com/6MxWyhIwNa
— ᶠYͧoͨᵏu (@NeexxtGen) April 2, 2023
Hahah pic.twitter.com/CWIesHXJY8
— mrwyoming (@samuel_reidnort) April 2, 2023
The crowd was like….. pic.twitter.com/zw0dmssMwb
— Mr. Long (@MrLong69696969) April 2, 2023
I would’ve started playing “Love In This Club” remix pic.twitter.com/f3YGyQVpV0
— Da Gawd (@BoodaDavis) April 2, 2023
Should have started playing the beat to love in this club to really set them off
— (@hey_arenee) April 2, 2023
Man! we were at the entrance and stopped in our tracks! I’m like this man!
— tht1BLK.girl. (@_nmickahla_) April 2, 2023
Thank god because I been left
— Justice (@808lightson) April 2, 2023
Look’s like if you want to see The Bey Hive queen, you’re going to have to grab tickets to the Renaissance World Tour.