In fact, the 45-year-old pop superstar — who was recruited by Jay-Z and his Roc Nation company to headline the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show on Sunday — defended the 54-year-old rapper for his tense takedown of the Grammys on music’s biggest night last Sunday.

“I think I like a nervous Jay-Z more than anything. That’s what it told me,” Usher told The Post about the hip-hop mogul’s speech when he was accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.

“I like when he’s nervous ’cause he tells the truth.”

Referencing the fact that his wife, Beyoncé, has never won Album of the Year — despite being the most decorated artist in Grammy history with 34 gramophones — a visibly nervous Jay said, “Think about that: The most Grammys. Never won Album of the Year. That doesn’t work.”

And it doesn’t work for Usher either.

“Historically, I think that the Academy, for many years, got it wrong,” said of Jay-Z’s speech at last Sunday’s Grammys.Roger Kisby for NY Post
“To each his own, you know, about what they feel,” he said. “But here’s what I feel: Historically, I think that the Academy, for many years, got it wrong … whether that’s [because of] the system that was there or the lack of inclusion or the lack of consideration of the industry.”

Usher pointed out how there is a disconnect between artists such as Beyoncé — who drive ratings by showing up to perform or even just attending the awards — and those who go home winners in the Big 4 categories (Album, Record and Song of the Year, plus Best New Artist).

“We watch your show for you to celebrate our artists, and you put us in [top] categories, but then you give it to someone else,” he said.

Jay-Z at the 2024 Grammy Awards.AFP via Getty Images

Beyonce and Jay-Z at the 2024 Grammy Awards.Getty Images for The Recording Academy
In fact, Usher himself has only been nominated for Album of the Year once — back in 2005 when his blockbuster “Confessions” LP got swept under the sentimental wave of Ray Charles’ “Genius Loves Company” following the R&B legend’s 2004 death.

Still, it’s shocking that one of the greatest R&B artists of his generation has only been nominated in one of the Big 4 categories twice. (Also in 2005, his No. 1 smash “Yeah!” was up for Record of the Year.)

And despite winning eight Grammys — all in the R&B and rap categories — in his 30-year career, Usher has never once had that money moment of collecting that precious hardware during the televised portion of the ceremony where Taylor Swift has received all four of her Album of the Year trophies.

“Jay-Z is a great friend of mine,” said Usher of the rapper, who attended the singer’s Grammy party with wife Beyoncé in 2005.Getty Images
“You’re talking to a winning loser, right?” said Usher, whose new album “Coming Home” — his first LP in eight years — dropped on Friday. “I’ve won eight Grammys, but never walked on the stage once to receive one.”

Usher’s exclusive photo shoot with the New York Post.Roger Kisby for NY Post

Usher dropped “Coming Home” — his first solo LP in eight years — on Friday, two days before he plays the Super Bowl.
“Out of 30 years of a career, I’ve never walked on the Grammy stage — as many times as I have performed there and supported the Grammys — I’ve never been able just to say, ‘Thank you.’

“That means something to my fans; it means something to me. But, you know, in time, I kind of grew a little bit more numb. Like, you know what, maybe I don’t need that, maybe that’s not going to define me.”/.