Artist: Usher

If you thought Usher let it spill on Confessions, just check out this interview. On the eve of his comeback, the R&B star talks drug-addicted dads, ex-girlfriend Chilli, becoming a father, working with MJ and Jigga and dealing with ongoing rumours about his wife and mother...

RWD: Ush, where you been at?
It’s been four years and a lot has changed. If you listen to the new album, a lot has changed; it’s a little bit more serious. I do feel like music has opened up to a more techno, International, like D&B style. But at the same time, I feel the integrity of R&B music is getting lost in it. Those R&B songs aren’t necessarily playing in the club anymore. So I had to make an album that was an R&B classic, but at the same time I realise that people loved synthesised music. So there’s also a ton of music on this album that I think people need to hear. It’s tailor-made for you – what you need and what you want! I give you what you want; I show you what you need.

RWD: Congrats, Love In This Club is No.1 in the US, and No.3 over in the UK!
Yeah, I was so surprised of the first-week sales of the single. I guess the rumours aren’t true; you still can do big, big numbers. But I’d like to do 800-900,000 first week for the album, Here I Stand.

Sir Leng A Lot: Who would win in a dance-off between you and Chris Brown or the other guys who’ve tried to take your crown?
To see artists like Chris Brown, he’s more one of the total artists – the guy who dances and sings, which is a lot like I do and did as a young artist. But I think it’s all great, I have nothing negative to say. Justin I consider to be great, with Ne-Yo, I always found him to be an incredible writer and then there’s new guys like Dream. All of this young, new energy is great for the industry. I think a lot of times people try to spin a negative on it. Like ‘A new person is coming, look out.’ That would be like me telling Michael Jackson to look out because I’m coming back. Are you serious?

RWD: Have you had the call to work with MJ yet?
No, but actually I spoke to Michael yesterday. I ran into his attorney in the lobby of my hotel and he called Michael up, who was asking me about the album. It was good because I had wanted to thank him for giving me a shout out in an interview. He also didn’t know I had a child so I told him and he said ‘Oh wow, congratulations, the universe is open to you now.’ But who knows, maybe you’ll see us working together one day.

RWD: You seem pretty tight with Jay-Z?
Yeah, we’re basically a crew right now. We’re both in very serious relationships (laughs) and if that’s a testament to growth, then I think we’re leading the way. Maybe you’ll start to see more artists taking that plunge and really getting serious in their relationships. Hey, the world doesn’t stop on account of you getting married. You actually become more attractive – I think I got more women trying to get at me now than I did before – sh*t!

RWD: We had questions from certain readers commenting on Tameka. How do you feel about the criticism you’ve both received?
You know, drama sells. If you think about the concept, in it’s simplest form; you mean to tell me you’re mad at me for being a husband to my wife, a father to my child? That makes no sense. Most people would be noted for drugs or just being horrible in life. And I get highlighted for doing the right thing (laughs). I love my wife, I love my child and they are the centre of my life.

Joy Riderrrr: Is it right your dad died recently?
Yes, that’s right. My father, you know he made a lot of bad decisions as a young man which caused him to lose my mother. In their separation, there was a lot of hatred between the two of them. I had no connection with him for many, many years, but when I finally did get to know him, my evaluation of his story was similar to my own. It’s funny how in the press, people had an opinion that my relationship wasn’t suitable for me because they just didn’t understand it. And it wasn’t really for them to understand. But my mother and father went through the same thing. They actually left Chattanooga, Tennessee, their parents didn’t like each other’s partners. And honestly in life, no parent thinks anybody’s good enough for their child. But anyway, they left to Dallas, Texas, however it didn’t work, they were in a very violent situation and she moved away from him. And in it, he lost me. He became a product of substance abuse and throughout his life I think he continued to do a disservice to his body with drinking and substance abuse to a point where it took his life later on. But luckily I did get to know him. I forgave him for not being there. More than anything, I thanked him for not being there because now I have a reference for what I don’t want to be, for the direction I didn’t want to go in. RWD:

RWD: How was your wedding day?
Oh, it was great; very sunny, very beautiful, very positive. We had a great time with great food and great music. Doug E Fresh performed, he rocked the house for us. We had D-Nice on the wheels of steel and Layla Hathaway sang for us when we – well, she – walked down the aisle. It was nice.

Natasha: What type of father are you? Do you change nappies? Were you there for the birth?
Of course! Won’t be there for your child’s birth, what? It wasn’t gory at all – I cut the cord and everything. It was the realest tear I ever cried. It was uncontrollable; when I heard his voice, I just cried (snaps fingers) like that. I don’t know who or what he’s going to be, but he’s going to be something special. He’s magic to me, he breaks me all the way down. I’m the goofiest dad ever – I’m doing backflips in front of him and spinning on my head and he’s laughing at me.

Melissa: Is it true there’s another on the way or is it just showbiz rumours?
Well, actually I heard that rumour today that Tameka’s pregnant. She’s not – I wish – but she’s not pregnant. I want a little girl. That first pregnancy was pretty hard, I’m surprised that I even survived! Having a pregnant woman and making an album at the same time? ‘I need ice.’ ‘But baby I’m in the booth.’ But nah, it’s a beautiful experience. If I do have another child, I’d hope it was a baby girl, but I’m fine with my baby boy, I love him. I love him so much.

John Boi: What do you think of British music and who would you like to work with from the UK?
It would be nice to work with some British artists– be on the look out for remixes. I’m going to do a lot of unique stuff on this album. I’d like to do something with John Mayer on the song Something Special. I’d love him to play piano. I’d love to perform Forever Young with Michael Buble. I actually wrote that intentionally with him and me doing it together.

Steve Broom: What did you want your new fragrance to smell like?
I wanted it to be something that would entice me. I wanted to be in a room of people and be able to smell it, that it would grab my attention, and it does that. It’s sophisticated.

Amardeep: With this new album, have you set any targets to hit with sales and who do you consider rivals?
(Laughs) I’ll tell you how I feel like now. I feel like Michael Jackson after selling 40 million copies, when he sold 25 million on the next album, he was disappointed (laughs). It’s crazy. But there’s substance in the record. You can make love to this album, you can slow it down. I hope it’s appropriate for me to be honest with you – I am having sex, I had a child (laugh). You can do it all to this record.

RWD: Have you, erm, made love to this record?
Yeah, I made love to a few songs; I made love to Trading Places, you know. Gently is one of my favourite records – that’s daddy business right there. Make her call you daddy when you put that one on!

Melissa: Chilli was quoted as saying you were the one she ‘truly did love. I'm not in love with him anymore, but I can't say I don't love him.’ Do you think it's appropriate for her to make these comments considering you’re married with a child?
I mean, I think it’s a little unrealistic, I’m married (laughs), I’m not a boy. It’s been three years past, you know? But we all have unrealistic goals too. Like shoot, I will always forever love Katie Holmes and Halle Berry. I don’t feel anyway about it. It does appear maybe to be a plug for something. She got a record coming or something?

Jonte: How’s your relationship with your mum? Why did you sack her?
The relationship is great. There have been some rumours that my mother, um, and I separated on a negative. It was more that a lot of things changed, I wanted to handle my business myself. So I asked my mother to become more of a support, like it’s time for you to be Grandma, not just the protector of Usher. There’s been talk about negativity between Tameka and my mum. I found that kinda difficult seeing as my mom did Tameka’s baby shower.

RWD: Is it true you’re backing Barack?
Yes. The simplest way that I can put it is that he’s a leader. In the beginning of his campaign, his mission was just to bring about change. That to me is a leader, if you just pay very close attention it tells you.

HelenB: Do you think Noel Gallagher is a div regarding Jay-Z and Glasto?
I disagree with him, because Jay-Z is an incredible artist and headliner. I saw him last night (at the Hollywood Bowl) and you’re not getting better than that.

RWD: Having done music, movies, Broadway, perfume... what’s left?
I want to be a billionaire (laughs). How far am I from that? Well in terms of gross revenue – 36 million sold? That ain’t no punk! (laughs). I’ll say this. I just really want to be successful – to be a part of the Billionaire Boys Club would be cool, but if I don’t make it to that, well... I feel like I did pretty good so far, you know?

Love In This Club is out now and Here I Stand is released 26 May


RWD Magazine

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