Usher Roasts Kevin Hart with “Burn” Parody

Talk about an unexpected opening! When Usher took the stage at “The Roast of Kevin Hart” on Netflix, everyone expected a smooth serenade. Instead, the R&B superstar flipped his iconic 2004 hit “Burn” into a full-blown roast track, leaving Kevin Hart and the audience absolutely stunned. It was the perfect, hilarious way to kick off the night!

A Musical Roast Masterpiece

Dressed in a sharp white jacket, Usher, backed by the legendary The Roots, launched into “Burn.” But the lyrics were completely rewritten to playfully (and brutally) poke fun at Kevin Hart. Hart’s initial reaction – a shocked “what the f**k are you doing?” – perfectly captured the surprise of the moment. The crowd at the Kia Forum erupted!

Usher didn’t hold back, targeting Hart’s recent movie roles, the perceived gap between his stand-up fame and current film output, and how success might have changed his work. The most talked-about line? A jab about how money changed him. Another memorable moment involved tweaking the chorus to suggest Kevin’s jokes aren’t landing like they used to.

More Than Just a Roast

What made Usher’s performance so impactful was the element of surprise. Given his long-standing friendship with Hart, most assumed he’d offer a gentle opening. Instead, he delivered the first major roast, setting an incredibly high bar for energy and comedy for the rest of the evening. He truly out-comedied many of the actual comedians on the dais!

Musically, it was also a masterclass. Usher took a beloved R&B anthem and, with The Roots providing live backing, rewrote and performed it flawlessly for a major Netflix event. It’s a testament to his vocal talent and sharp comedic timing, proving why he’s heading out on tour with Chris Brown this summer.

The Aftermath

While Kevin Hart recovered to host the rest of his roast, even sharing a reconciliation moment with Katt Williams, the headline everyone was talking about the next day was Usher’s performance. The clip quickly became one of the most replayed moments from the entire Netflix is a Joke Fest, and the parody itself is so good, it could honestly work as a standalone track.