Usher

Usher
a.k.a. Usher Raymond

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STILL STANDING
Usher Returns with a Heartfelt New Disc
A lot has happened in Usher Raymond’s life since the release of 2004’s multi-platinum Confessions. The 29-year-old has hit both professional and personal high notes: he starred on Broadway in Chicago, launched his own fragrance line, became part owner of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, married his stylist, and had a son. After a decade in the spotlight, the Grammy-winning performer is back with Here I Stand, featuring the hit singles "Love in This Club” and “Moving Mountains.” Prior to the album’s release, Usher conducted a telephone roundtable interview with journalists including B&N.com’s R&B editor, Tracy E. Hopkins.

Barnes & Noble.com: Can you talk about maybe one or two of the songs that you feel are most personal for you?

Usher: The entire album is important. All of [the songs] collaboratively make up the chapters of a great book, of a great journey. You know, with all great novels, there is a beginning, a middle, and an end. But the plot has to be something of substance and value. And that topic is love. Of course, it's called Here I Stand, so everyone is going to look out for [the title song].

B&N.com: Are there themes on the album that connect more directly to fatherhood, marriage, and where you are at this point in your life now?

Usher: Yes, there are several songs that [come from] personal reflection. The interlude “Prayer for You” is dedicated to my son. There [are] topics of life, love, decisions, choices that are made, repercussions, and the reality of the journey of life and manhood. Here you have before you a young man who stepped into true manhood, not only because of my child but also because of the decisions that I made in the span of two years. It was all of the things that happened before that led up to this brilliant moment. Now I'm able to voice how I feel about certain things and allow myself to be vulnerable [and express it] through my music.

B&N.com: You’ve matured since your last album. How has that maturation affected your sex appeal?

Usher: I think that wisdom is sexy. I think that confidence and being comfortable in your skin is all…sexy. That’s part of my mission, to change what that view of attractive is. In time we grow older, we grow wiser, we grow smarter, and we're better. And I feel like I'm becoming more seasoned, although I don't have my salt-and-pepper hair. I'm balancing a few things -- my personal life and my business responsibilities. So, you know, finding the balance is going to be hard, but I love it and I'm dedicated to making sure that this project is a success no matter what.

B&N.com: You've done a lot of collaborations over the years. What are your favorite collaborations on this album?

Usher: My favorite collaborations for this album were with the queen, Beyoncé, and Lil Wayne on part two of "Love in This Club." Another is "Best Thing" with Jay-Z. It's by far one of the realest records. You know, everybody's been talking about his marriage and my marriage and that big step that I think we both took – or did we? I know I did. But I think [both songs] are meaningful duets.

B&N.com: Who else would you like to work with?

Usher: I'd like to do something with Michael Bublé, Harry Connick Jr., Tim McGraw, Justin Timberlake, and Gwen Stefani. And that's just to name a few.

B&N.com: What type of chemistry do you think you will have with Justin if you guys did collaborate?

Usher: I honestly feel like Justin is the equivalent of me white, and I am the equivalent of what he could be black. I know that sounds crazy, but I hear that comparison all the time. So I think if we ever came together, there would be no color barrier. It would just be two guys making an incredible record, both with individual celebrity across the board. And I think that it would be a very musical record because Justin is three dimensional. He's not just a performer. He's also a musician, writer, and a great composer, and the same with me in terms of my creative ideas. Collaboratively, I think that we would do something incredible.

B&N.com: You started performing at a young age. And right now there are plenty of talented young artists like Rihanna, Chris Brown, and Jordin Sparks. Do you have any words of advice for artists coming up?

Usher: It’s a matter of sustaining. You really have to be relevant in this time. You have to continue to be innovative and come up with creative ideas for the fans to love you, and they keep you there. [Also] create an expectation for yourself every day, be it an expectation to win, to do something positive, or to give great work to the community of music, artistry, and entertainment.

May 26, 2008