Usher Taps Keke Palmer for Vegas-Inspired "Boyfriend" Video

Capitalizing on the duo’s viral Vegas moment.

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After Keke Palmer‘s now ex-boyfriend shared his disapproval over her outfit choice for Usher‘s My Way Las Vegas residency, the King of R&B has finally clapped back in the only appropriate manner: releasing an intentionally shady single entitled “Boyfriend”, as well as a music video starring Palmer herself. She and Usher take things back to Sin City in the flirty track’s visuals, stopping for dancing and gambling interludes along the way.

The video opens with Palmer readying herself for a girls’ night – perfecting her makeup, sipping champagne and, of course, dancing in her bathrobe – as Usher delivers the opening lines. “Somebody said that your boyfriend’s looking for me, oh that’s cool, that’s cool / Well he should know I’m pretty easy to find /Just look for me wherever he sees you.” She and her girls get in the elevator, upon which Palmer breaks out into nostalgic Usher hit “U Remind Me” – and Usher enters the elevator.

Just when you think you know what’s going to happen next, Palmer fully transforms into a female version of Usher (even down to the chain), after which she and Real Usher break into a cohesive dance break in the middle of the casino floor.

“Boyfriend”‘s witty video comes to a close with a cheeky Palmer moment. She picks up her ringing cellphone and says, directly to the camera, “I’m tired. I am a mother, after all”, a nod to the original comment her ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson made. This was Palmer’s first time publicly addressing the viral moment. She also shared a sincere message to Usher on her Instagram, explaining that she never wanted to be “the girl” in an Usher music video, but rather be Usher himself.

 

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A post shared by BIG BOSS 🔑🔑 (@keke)

“Boyfriend” is available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music. Stream the music video above.

In other music news, Charli XCX also served up a new music video today – for Barbie The Album hit, “Speed Drive”.

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Elaina Bernstein
Elaina Bernstein Editor

Elaina Lauren Bernstein is a New York-based writer and editor, overseeing Hypebeast's music vertical, Hypetrak. She handles both editorial and social coverage for Hypetrak, and served as the Deputy Editor for Summer 2025's Hypetrak Magazine — the first in 10 years. With a particular affinity for underground hip hop, she has racked up a wide range of interviews and cover stories, spanning A$AP Rocky, Larry June, Shaboozey, Leon Thomas, Rihanna, Brent Faiyaz, Jean Dawson, and Miguel, and has covered major music tentpole events including the Grammys and Coachella. The intersection of fashion and music guides her coverage as well.

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