Big Sean joined Usher for a surprise love fest on Thursday night (Sept. 12) during the first of the Usher: Past Present Future Tour shows at Little Caesars Arena in the rapper’s home town of Detroit.

Usher brought out Big Sean two-thirds of the way into the concert, during “Superstar” — which the latter samples on “Who You Are (Superstar),” a track from his just-released sixth studio album Better Me Than You.

“If we’re gonna come to Detroit we gotta make sure to shout out all the legends,” Usher told the crowd before introducing Big Sean, who spit out some lines from his track followed by his 2015 single “Blessings” as he and Usher waded into the crowd to walk to a second stage at the rear of the arena floor, which was decked out like a strip club, complete with a pole dancer and a bar.

“Big Sean, I don’t mind you taking over the stage, but I gotta make a drink,” Usher said as he got behind the bar, mixing drinks for VIP fans in the area. Big Sean then took over with a rapid-fire mini-set that included portions of “So Good,” “A$$,” “Bounce” Back” and “I Don’t Fuck With You.”

He also told the crowd that Usher had accompanied him to the downtown Detroit Boys and Girls Club earlier in the day to inspect the facility, including its recording studio. Thanking Usher for allowing him to sample “Superstar,” he noted that “me and Usher haven’t done a song together. We made a promise we’re gonna do a song together,” although he did not say when, and even if, that might happen.”

Big Sean did get in a plug for Better Me Than You before heading off and leaving the rest of the show to Usher — who will be back at Little Caesars Arena on Friday, Sept. 13.

It was the latest major performance for Big Sean in his home town this year. He performed on the opening night of the National Football League draft in April and was part of the nationally televised opening concert for the newly renovated Michigan Central, the city’s former railway station, in June. He was performing earlier Thursday evening for a private show at a nearby nightclub, and on Monday, Sept. 16, he’ll be performing “a very special acoustic you” sponsored by Amazon Music at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Usher — who performed the halftime show at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on Feb. 11 — kicked of the Past Present Future tour on Aug. 20 in Washington, D.C. and wrap up the North American leg with rescheduled concerts in his home town of Atlanta during December. A European tour begins March 29 in London with the first of 10 dates at the O2 Arena, as well as performances in Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.

It was a tough afternoon for the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, as they were unable to complete the sweep of the Colorado Rockies at home.

The Tigers missed an opportunity to gain more ground in the American League Wild Card race, as they had their ace Tarik Skubal on the mound. As expected, he pitched well for Detroit, but Jason Foley allowed two runs in the top of the ninth inning, which proved to be enough for the Rockies. 

While the loss wasn’t ideal for the Tigers, they still won the series.

However, the big story coming out of the game is the health of Skubal.

In the sixth inning, he was hit by a comebacker off the bat of Brenton Doyle, which slammed into his right hand/wrist area above the glove.

After taking a few minutes to gather himself and throw some pitches, Skubal finished the frame. However, despite throwing just 84 pitches, he did not come out for the seventh inning.

After the game, he gave an update on how he was feeling. 

“It’s a little sore, but I think I’m fine,” Skubal said to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. “I got some good news. Obviously, there’s going to be probably some more tests done. But I’m not too worried about it.”

Initial X-rays look to be negative for Skubal which is very encouraging news, as an injury at this point in the season would like to result in his year being finished.

He discussed the decision not to come out in the seventh inning, as he and team decided it was the smart move. 

“I think it’s just being a little smart,” Skubal said to Petzold. “It was obviously uncomfortable catching the ball more than anything, but I think I’ll be fine going forward. I’m not really too worried about it.”

Playing it safe with Skubal was certainly the right move for the Tigers, as he is the likely Cy Young Award and has at least two more starts coming in the regular season that could prove pivotal in their playoff chase.

The Tigers need all they can get from him. 

Next up will be a huge series against the Baltimore Orioles, a tall task where every game will be difficult to win without Skubal slated to start any of them.

With the final Wild Card spot within reach, hopefully his hand is alright and won’t require him to miss a start or have one pushed back.

The Detroit Auto Show is moving from mid-September back to January, but there will still be plenty of eye candy for auto enthusiasts this weekend.

The inaugural Cars at the Station, sponsored by Hagerty, will descend on the newly-renovated Michigan Central campus Friday showcasing the latest vehicles from industry automakers, a sprawling classic cars display, and the “Best of 2025” finalists for the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year awards.

Return downtown on Saturday and the circus moves to Hart Plaza, where Radwood will celebrate the best of ‘80s and ‘90s cars. Both events are sponsored by Hagerty to celebrate Detroit’s passion for cars — and for two of its signature public spaces.

“This event has been a dream project since Ford purchased Michigan Central Station in 2018. Cars at The Station caters to Detroit’s passion for the automobile with a goal to deliver an inclusive, culturally relevant event with our partners Michigan Central, Newlab and the City of Detroit,” said Jiyan Cadiz, producer, Cars at The Station for Hagerty.

Cars at The Station is the first public automotive event at Michigan Central, which Ford remodeled as a tech and culture hub for about $940 million. The station reopened on June 6. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. Friday with auto show-style reveals on stage in front of the majestic station’s façade.

New model presentations include the Ford Mustang GTD, Ford Bronco Sport, Hyundai Ioniq 5N electric hot hatch, Lincoln Navigator, Ram 2500 Power Wagon “Lunar Edition,” Toyota Land Cruiser, electric Fiat 500e, and fire-breathing, V8-powered Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator 392s by mod shop America’s Most Wanted.

After their stage turns, the cars will retreat to vehicle displays by Ford, Lincoln, Ram, Fiat, Hyundai and Toyota at Newlab on the station’s east side. Newlab is an incubator for the commercialization of new technologies, and has attracted over 100 startups working in mobility, energy and materials. Visitors will get an exclusive look inside the innovation hub, where they can soak up exhibits and panel discussions on the state of the industry, presented by Foxxtecca.

At 4:20 p.m., NACTOY will make its Best of 2025 announcement on the station stage.

Littered across Roosevelt Park on the station’s north side will be “Cars and Community powered by the Detroit Auto Show,” featuring more than 100 cars, trucks and motorcycles. Food truck and family music entertainment will be on hand.  

In the spirit of the free public event, attendees will have the opportunity to take free rides in the new models on display. Rides in select classic cars will be available too. When attendees get peckish, a variety of Detroit food trucks will be on offer.

As a preview of the next day’s attractions, a smattering of “RADwood Royalty” will be on display.

Hagerty bills RADwood Detroit as the ultimate ‘80s and ‘90s car and music festival with displays of — not only period cars, trucks, and bikes — but period dress and entertainment as well.

Attendees are encouraged to wear their best ’80s and ’90s clothing and dig out classic gear from the attic like boomboxes, rollerblades and BMX bikes. Musical talent will include Motown DJs playing techno music and the tunes that defined an era.

“RADwood is a celebration of the cars and culture of the ’80s and ’90s as well as the people who created and drove it,” said RADwood CEO Art Cervantes. “With the energy and momentum Detroit has, it’s hard to beat the Motor City for a radder location.”

Among the toys on display will be special selection of Mustangs from The Henry Ford, and attendees can go for a spin in icons like Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R and Mazda’s Autozam AZ-1.

Cars at the Station

Where: Michigan Central Station/Newlab, 2050 15th St., Detroit

When: 3-8 p.m. Friday

Events: 3:30-5 p.m:, Press Briefing featuring NACTOY, AMW 4×4, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln, RAM, Toyota, DADA, RADwood and more

Michigan Central stage schedule

3:45-3:50 p.m.: AMW Wrangler, Gladiator 392

3:50-3:57 p.m.: Fiat 500e

3:57-4:02 p.m.: Ford: Truck News, Bronco Sport, Mustang GTD

4:02-4:07 p.m.: Hyundai Ioniq 5N

4:07-4:12 p.m.: 2025 Lincoln Navigator

4:12-4:17 p.m.: Ram 2500 Power Wagon “Lunar Edition”

4:17-4:22 p.m.: Toyota Land Cruiser

4:22- 4:32 p.m.: NACTOY Best of 2025 Announcement

4:32-4:37 p.m.: Detroit Auto Dealers Association, Detroit Auto Show 2025 News

4:37- 4:42 p.m.: RADwood

RADwood Detroit

Where: Hart Plaza, Detroit

When: 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne.