usher and kanye west tour

Usher Proves He's 'The Truth' At Tour Kickoff

HAMPTON, Virginia -- After watching "8 Mile" a couple of years ago, we all learned that when opportunity comes, we have to lose ourselves, because we may only have one shot. So on Thursday night at the kickoff of Usher's Truth Tour, when the star attraction brought out a lucky fan to be serenaded, not only did the excited, dimply faced woman make sure she got close enough to Usher to touch his lips, she made sure she tasted his sweat.

"You have to be a bad girl," Usher said with a smile at the Hampton Coliseum several hours before the show. He was explaining how he chooses a girl to bring onstage during his shows. Thursday afternoon was Usher's last opportunity to rehearse for this opening-night show. The 25-year-old had been holed up in Virginia for four days making sure his routine was on point. If you saw the European leg of his tour, don't think that he was going to be doing the same old, same old here in the U.S. -- he needed to add to his arsenal.

[article id="1490014"]Click for photos from Usher tour kickoff in Hampton, VA[/article]

At 3 p.m., Usher, who had caused a little chaos by hitting the MacArthur Center mall in Norfolk earlier in the day, was onstage tightening up his show.

"Let 'The Truth' set you free," he said, hyping up the outing. "Every night it's something special. It's going to be a great tour. Every night you can come out in a safe environment and have a good time."

During the rehearsal, he wanted to make sure that when he did bring that special fan onstage, the scenario would be perfect.

"What's your name?" he asked an imaginary supporter while going over "Superstar." "Shabootha? Glad to meet you. I wanna share something special with you. I don't know if you could handle it."

By 6 p.m., opener Kanye West and his crew of artists on his label Very Good Music -- John Legend, Consequence and GLC -- were outside the backstage entrance shooting the breeze. "I can't wait, man," Kan said of the show.

The roads leading to the coliseum were backed up for miles. The city, whose biggest bragging right is that it houses the illustrious Hampton University, was under siege by the artist of the year. There was no other place to be.

When game time arrived, Mr. Entertainment lived up to the outing's title, "The Truth." Not that Usher was telling some startling revelations, but he is "The Truth" in that homes is the real deal. For all the knocks he gets about coming off arrogant sometimes, he's really that good. For two hours, he keeps the crowd on its feet, makes every song a spectacle, dances incessantly and doesn't miss a note because he's actually singing every song and not relying on recorded vocals to carry him -- how many artists do all of those things in one concert nowadays? Good luck trying to name the three or four others that do.

Just before he hit the stage, Usher, his dancers and other members of his camp were all hunched over, bowing their heads in prayer backstage. After giving thanks and asking for a blessing, the posse amped themselves by yelling, "1,2,3, MasterCard" in unison, in honor of Usher's new Usher Raymond IV Debit MasterCard. Let's get ready to ruuuuuuummmmbaaaaaaallllll! Showtime.

A short movie that showed Usher getting dressed and coming to the venue preceded his grand entrance and opening number, "Caught Up." He was dressed all in white and yes, he had one fingerless glove on his right hand that ran up his forearm. Just as the music started, Kanye and his mother came out and sat in the best seats in the house, a bench attached to a barricade, just a few feet from the stage.

The set was pretty elaborate. There was a small stage up on top of the main stage, where the band played, but which left enough room for Usher and his dancers to do their thing. That smaller stage had a mini platform attached to it -- which lowered to the main stage -- and had two big staircases on both sides of it. To the left, a group of circular staircases climbed all the way to the top, and to the right, there was a fire escape replete not only with steps but its own elevator.

For the second song, "You Make Me Wanna," two dancers stayed on the top stage with Usher while two male dancers came out to the lower level with two chairs each in their hands. Each dancer threw one chair up to the top (Usher already had his own chair) and everyone began to dance. The fellas left and the ladies came out to back Usher up on "U Remind Me," which culminated with Usher dancing by himself during a breakdown of the song. "Go Usher, go Usher," the crowd yelled as he popped and locked and ended with a handstand.

Later, Usher was using his legs because he was in a low-speed chase with two of his female dancers during "That's What It's Made For." As soon as the opening note was sounded, Mr. E. had a devilish smile on his face and proceeded to walk and sing while the ladies followed.

"I slipped up, slipped in, hey man, what the hell you doing?" he sang. "Raw doggin's a never, I know, I know better." The crowd sang every note of the chorus. "Go on and hit it, that's what it's made for/ We got protection, that's what it's made for."

As Kanye looked on with a smile at the display, you could see girls and women showing love for Usher by holding up teddy bears, posters, flowers, camera phones and magazine covers.

For "Bad Girl," Ush dressed up in a lavender suit and came out in a chrome chair. His female dances wore tight black outfits that showed off cheekage as they pranced around unabashedly. "I keep a dollllllllaaaahhhhh worth a dyyyyyyyymmmmmessss," he sang. "You know pimpin' ain't easy."

His pimp game stayed tight after the song ended. He told his girls that he wanted them to scour the crowd to find a "bad girl" in the audience and bring her onstage. They looked to the left, they looked to right, and finally Usher himself peered out into the crowd and found that special one. The woman from the audience was rushed to the stage like the president fleeing for safety after a failed assassination attempt. She was given instructions to sit on a couch while Usher left the stage. He came back and stood on the stage opposite her and sang to his fan.

"I got two dozen roses," he began to croon, walking slowly toward her with flowers in his hands during "Do It to Me." He walked up the staircase and kept walking and singing.

"Get over here, get over here!" the smiling female yelled to Usher, pointing down to the couch. Even Usher's frowning security guard, who was patrolling on the floor by the stage, had to smile at that one.

By the time Usher finally got to the girl, the song transitioned to "Superstar."

"This goes out to my number-one fan," he said, but as the song progressed he began to sing about being her main supporter. "I'll be your groupie bay-bee/ 'Cause you are my superstar/ I'm your number-one fan, give me your autograph/ Sign it right here on my heart."

He went from holding the woman's hand while she sat on the couch to pulling her up and dancing close with her. She had her hands on his waist and was clutching his shirt tighter than an infant holds onto an adult finger. He moved behind her and continued singing, then she wiped the sweat off his face.

Usher went on to the next record, "Can U Handle It?," and continued singing to her. From the look of adoration on her face, it appeared that the woman could have devoured him at any second. The two came so close at one point that you could swear they kissed. He fell on top of her on the couch and afterward they both laughed, he kissed her on the forehead and she left the happiest camper in the troop.

The closing number, "Yeah!," didn't quite feel like the grand finale it was supposed to be because every song during Usher's set felt like the grand finale -- that's how high the energy was.

Although Kanye West and company kept the crowd on its feet, there was no mistaking what his strongest number was -- "Jesus Walks." Kanye closed with his current hit, wearing white from head to toe. "Jeeee-sus walks," the spectators roared, and when Kanye did his Jesus-walks dance across the stage, it was a wrap. They saluted him with more cheers.

Kanye started off his set with a short film of his own, which centered around a graduation. As Farnsworth Bentley, who was in the film, read Kanye's name to come and walk across the stage, he wasn't there. He had to "catch the beat."

West then showed up live and onstage for "Get Em High." "I got to catch the beat," I gotta catch the beat," he rapped.

Although Usher was clearly the main attraction of the night, Kanye wasn't your average opener that nobody really cares about, just there to kill a little time while the headliner gets ready. The fans were into his show and sang along joyously on several songs, like "All Falls Down" and even with guest performer John Legend on "Selfish" and a short rendition of the gospel song "I'll Fly Away." The most participation, however, came during "Slow Jamz." Kanye didn't even have to rap his verse, the crowd took care of the work for him.

After his set, a sweat-soaked West went backstage, where he was greeted by his mom. "Hey man, that was great!" she told him. "I loved it."

It seems like the Truth Tour is destined to improve as it progresses. Both Usher and Kanye had a few minor glitches in their sets, which should be worked out once they have a few concerts under their belts. Also, Christina Milian has been slotted as another opener and Mase is still in talks to be added to the lineup -- he could be on the bill as early as August 12. Even if Mase doesn't make it out, Usher says he's been hollering at quite a few of his friends to come out as guest performers. Don't be surprised to see Lil' Flip when the tour hits Texas or somebody like T.I. or Lil Jon or Ludacris when the trek comes to Atlanta.

For more sights and stories from concerts around the country, check out [article id="1488635"]MTV News Tour Reports[/article].

For full list of Usher tour dates, check out MTV.com's Tour Dates Page .

--Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by [article id="1453178"]Sway Calloway[/article]

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Usher announces ‘past, present, future’ official tour dates.

The 17-city trek kicks off this August.

By Mya Abraham

Mya Abraham

R&B Reporter

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The rumors are true; Usher is going on tour .

After an incredibly successful, sold-out run in Las Vegas with his My Way residency , the beloved crooner will soon be in a city near you with his highly anticipated Past Present Future Tour. The 17-city trek across the country will continue his celebration of his 30-year career and will be one of the first times he performs records from his new album, Coming Home , live.

The North American leg of the tour will kick off in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 20, making stops in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Toronto, Atlanta, Detroit, Oakland, and Miami throughout September and October. It will wrap up on Oct. 29 in Chicago. Usher also becomes the first artist to announce an event at the Intuit Dome, the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Usher Feels 'Confessions' Brought Accountability To Infidelity

The tour was first teased back in September. His new album drops on Friday (Feb. 9), ahead of his Super Bowl Halftime performance , and a bonus track, “ Naked ,” will be available that day via the SKIMS website.

See the full dates for the North American run of USHER : Past Present Future below.

Aug. 20 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena Aug. 24 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena Aug. 27 – Boston, MA – TD Garden Aug. 30 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center Sept. 2 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena Sept. 3 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena Sept. 6 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center Sept. 7 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center Sept. 12 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena Sept. 17 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena Sept. 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome Sept. 22 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome Sept. 28 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena Sept. 29 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena Oct. 4 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center Oct. 7 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ATX Oct. 11 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center Oct. 12 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center Oct. 17 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena Oct. 18 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena Oct. 22 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center Oct. 26 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center Oct. 28 – Chicago, IL – United Center Oct. 29 – Chicago, IL – United Center

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Usher's Biggest Hits, From Baby-Making Slow Jams To Dance Floor Classics

As Usher preps for the Super Bowl halftime show and his first album in nearly a decade, revisit the entertainer's biggest hits and underrated gems that made him the King of R&B.

With eight GRAMMYs, over 65 million albums sold, and nine Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s, Usher is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars of his generation. And 20 years after his diamond-certified magnum opus, 2004's Confessions , the 45-year-old triple threat is reminding fans and critics alike that he's still got it.

In the midst of his highly successful (and twice-extended) Las Vegas residency, Usher was announced as the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show headliner, coinciding with the Feb. 9 release of Coming Home — his first solo studio album in eight years. On paper, Usher is the perfect halftime performer that checks all the boxes: the voice, the choreography, the stamina, the hits, the charm. If his electrifying appearance alongside the Black Eyed Peas ' 2011 performance is any indication of how Feb. 11 will go, it's bound to be one for the books. 

Super Bowl halftime shows usually last around 13 minutes, but for an artist of Usher's caliber, the high-stakes performance is over 30 years in the making. In 1991, a 13-year-old Usher appeared on Star Search , which led to an audition with LaFace Records. While singing Boyz II Men 's "End of the Road," he displayed his knack for captivating an audience even way back then, before appearing on the soundtrack for the 1993 film Poetic Justice starring Janet Jackson and Tupac . 

His debut single, "Call Me a Mack," mostly flew under the radar at the time, though his star power gleamed in the accompanying video. In the decades since, Usher's eight albums and 16 No. 1 hits on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart have helped him earn the unofficial title of "The King of R&B," paving the way for other household names like Chris Brown , Trey Songz, Ne-Yo , and protégé Justin Bieber .

Though the aptly titled Coming Home marks his first solo album since 2016's Hard II Love , he's continued to whet fans' appetite with several one-off singles, including "Bad Habits" and "Glu." For the lead single from Coming Home , "Good Good," he recruited Summer Walker and 21 Savage , signaling a new chapter for the music veteran. Following his announcement, Usher described the forthcoming LP as a body of work that not only honors his legacy, but tells "a story that is open to interpretation and that will connect with people in different ways."

As the world awaits Usher's Super Bowl halftime show and new music, GRAMMY.com is revisiting 15 songs that made him a force to be reckoned with in entertainment.

"You Make Me Wanna," My Way (1997)

Three years after his 1994 self-titled debut album failed to garner much attention, Usher crashed the second half of the decade with his breakout hit "You Make Me Wanna." Inspired by the then 19-year-old's real-life experiences of juggling multiple women, he sings frankly about being stuck in a love triangle: "You make me wanna leave the one I'm with/ Start a new relationship wit' you."

Peaking at No. 2 on the Hot 100, "You Make Me Wanna" set Usher's career ablaze as the lead single off 1997's seven-time-platinum My Way album — helping him stand out among a sea of fellow R&B newcomers, including Joe and Ginuwine.

In 1998, the success of "You Make Me Wanna" also earned Usher his first-ever GRAMMY nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. That same year, he was chosen as Janet Jackson's opening act for the U.S. leg of her Velvet Rope Tour, setting a precedent for the show-stopping performances he's since become known for.

"Nice & Slow," My Way (1997)

So many of Usher's best songs focus on the art of lovemaking, but "Nice & Slow" is notable as his first No. 1 on the Hot 100 — and for cementing his sex symbol status.

Only 20 years young at the time, Usher delivers suggestive lyrics (e.g., "I got plans to put my hands in places/ I never seen, girl you know what I mean") with such bravado that it's easy to mistake the then-budding entertainer for someone twice his age.

Moments before laying down the sensual track, producer Jermaine Dupri set out to create a "ballad that's gonna knock out the world," he said in 2003's The Billboard Book of Number One Hits . Over 25 years later, "Nice & Slow" is still quintessential Usher, as it gave way to a long string of slow jams like "Do It To Me" and "Climax" that make the ladies swoon.

"Bedtime," My Way (1997)

Around the release of Confessions , Usher declared himself a "sexaholic" (which he later refuted). But the hearthrob's sexual appetite first appeared on his album My Way , as evidenced by one of the LP's closing tracks, "Bedtime." In the opening line, he sings, "Craving your body all through the night/ Feels like I'm going through withdrawals."

Penned by R&B mastermind Babyface , the number is structured a little bit like a lullaby but isn't as captivating as "Nice & Slow." Still, it earns a spot on this list for being one of the very first in his catalog to ooze grown and sexy vibes.

"U Remind Me," 8701 (2001)

Kicking off his now-iconic 8701 era, "U Remind Me" follows Usher as he falls for a girl who resembles his ex, but ultimately decides against dating her for that very reason.

Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis , "U Remind Me" shares similarities to "You Make Me Wanna" as both songs center around inner conflict, but the most noticeable difference is the vocal delivery. His runs and ad-libs carry more weight in "U Remind Me," which also charted higher internationally. According to what Jimmy Jam told MTV at the time, the goal was for "people to hear Usher sing and go, 'This boy can sing. He's a singer.'" 

Becoming his second No. 1, "U Remind Me" paid off critically for him as well, earning the child prodigy his first GRAMMY for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 2002.

"U Got It Bad," 8701 (2001)

After "U Remind Me," Usher slowed things down with his third chart-topper, "U Got It Bad," which is believed to be about then-girlfriend, Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas of best-selling female group TLC , who also stars in the accompanying video.

Interpolating Prince 's "Adore" and Maxwel l's "Fortunate" from 1987 and 1999, respectively, "U Got It Bad" finds Usher struggling to accept that he's fallen deep for someone, a slow-burning feeling intensified by a guitar solo that soars midway through. The smoldering track showcased that he was a fully developed star capable of conveying emotion in addition to crafting tunes that fill the dance floor.

"Yeah!" feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris, Confessions (2004)

Usher was at his commercial peak when he tried his hand at crunk music à la "Yeah!" with Lil Jon at the helm. Somewhat of a catalyst for his foray into EDM (more on that later), "Yeah!" marked the first of four consecutive No. 1s off Confessions and Usher 's longest-running chart-topper at 12 weeks. Naturally, it was crowned the most-played song of 2004 despite the label's hesitation to release it as a lead single.

Of all of Usher's party anthems, "Yeah!" wins for holding its relevance 20 years later; to this day, it remains a staple at wedding receptions, sporting events, and countless other celebrations. Plus, Ludacris ' scene-stealing guest verse, where he rhymes "ridiculous" and "conspicuous," is forever etched in our memory.

In 2005, Usher added to his GRAMMY collection after "Yeah!" took home Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. It was such a smash that "Ursher, Jon and Luda had to do it again" in 2004's "Lovers and Friends," which narrowly missed the No. 1 spot, and then again with "SexBeat" in 2020.

"Burn," Confessions (2004)

True to the diaristic nature of Confessions , "Burn" sees Usher grappling with the aftermath of a failed relationship. "Sendin' pages I ain't supposed to/ Got somebody here, but I want you/ 'Cause the feelin' ain't the same/ Find myself callin' her your name," he laments in the second verse.

"Yeah!" took Usher's stardom to the next level, but "Burn" gave fans a deeper glimpse into his personal life. By then, his two-year relationship with TLC's Chilli had run its course. As Usher noted himself to MTV News, "It's unfortunate when you have to let a situation go because it's not working. Although you may want to stay, you've got to let it burn."

That level of vulnerability resonated with broken hearts everywhere; "Burn" dethroned "Yeah!" when it skyrocketed to the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100. Subsequently, Usher held the No. 1 and 2 spots on the chart, becoming the first artist to achieve such a major feat since the Beatles 40 years earlier. 

"Confessions Part II," Confessions (2004)

While "Burn" saw Usher pulling back the curtain, he left it all on the table in one of the most talked about songs of his three-decade career: "Confessions Part II."

In "Part I," he sings about having a "chick on the side," but "Part II" marks the point of no return as he confesses to impregnating his mistress. As expected, "Confessions" sparked rumors that Usher got another woman pregnant while dating Chilli. In reality, it was recorded before their breakup and based on Jermaine Dupri's situation. Still, Usher delivers the story as if it was his own.

Even though "Confessions Part II" revolves around infidelity, it's difficult to not feel sympathetic toward him as the track winds down: "This by far is the hardest thing I think I've ever had to do/ To tell you, the woman I love/ That I'm havin' a baby by a woman that I barely even know/ I hope you can accept the fact that I'm man enough to tell you this," he says in the spoken interlude.

"My Boo" feat. Alicia Keys, Confessions (2004)

Usher and Alicia Keys were both at the top of their game when they joined forces for "My Boo," an ode to young love that's guaranteed to make you cry nostalgic tears of joy. Even the most cynical hearts can't resist singing along: "I don't know about y'all, but I know about us and, uh/ It's the only way we know how to rock," a twenty-something Usher croons in the outro.

The romantic duet is even sweeter when you realize that Usher and Keys have known each other since they were teenagers. Their undeniable musical chemistry won a GRAMMY for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals.

At the time of its release, "My Boo" went straight to No. 1, which means he spent an astonishing 28 weeks atop the Hot 100 in 2004, proving that the year unequivocally belonged to none other than Usher.

"Bad Girl," Confessions (2004)

"Caught Up" was the final single off of Confessions , but Usher's reign could have carried well into 2005 and possibly even '06 if deep cuts like "Throwback," "Superstar," "Can U Handle It?" and "Bad Girl" were released as singles. The latter appears as a snippet in the beginning of the music video for "My Boo," leaving you wanting more.

In "Bad Girl," Usher prefers women who look "fresh out of Elle magazine" and can buy their "own bottles." Fueled by hypnotic electric guitar riffs, "Bad Girl" exemplifies his fondness for a late-night rendezvous: "Look at them bad girls moving it/ Making faces while they doing it/ Ah, I want to take one to the restroom/ So close, I'm smelling like your perfume," he sings in the second verse.

The song also took on a life of its own when Usher performed it at a 2005 concert special with Beyoncé , who steals the show without ever touching the mic.

"Best Thing" feat. Jay-Z, Here I Stand (2008)

When "Best Thing" arrived, Usher and Jay-Z were both newlyweds. So, of course, Usher was feeling particularly inspired by then-wife Tameka Foster.

Recorded during Hov's Heart of the City Tour, "Best Thing" celebrates commitment over "trickin' and kissin' miscellaneous chicks." Of the song's background, Usher reportedly said , "If you are a playa, you're a playa. If you're a real man, you're a real man, but you know you got to — in some point in life — you've got to grow up. Grow away from certain immaturities."

He and Foster divorced the next year, but "Best Thing" speaks to something bigger: the beginning of his transition into manhood.

"OMG" feat. will.i.am, Raymond v. Raymond (2010)

With easygoing lyrics like "I fell in love with shawty when I seen her on the dance floor/ She was dancing sexy, pop-pop-popping, dropping, dropping low," "OMG" sounds like a continuation of "Yeah!" but with hints of Eurodance.

Written and produced by Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am , "OMG" gave Usher's post- Confessions career a much-needed boost. Despite spawning the No. 1 single "Love in This Club," his previous studio effort, 2008's Here I Stand , was deemed a commercial disappointment. 

Although "OMG" was criticized for Usher's use of auto-tune, the party classic thrusted him back to the top. What's more, he displayed a willingness to reinvent himself at a time when EDM started to infiltrate the charts. It not only became Usher's ninth No. 1 hit, but it produced his first of four entries on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, while paving the way for his other dance-pop hits like Pitbull -featuring "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" and "Without You" with David Guetta .

"Numb," Looking 4 Myself (2012)

At first listen, "Numb" may sound like just another synth-heavy banger about leaving your troubles on the dance floor, but the song is actually a well-crafted culmination of what was going on behind the scenes for the R&B superstar.

In the years leading up to his seventh album, Looking 4 Myself , Usher experienced some turbulent times. Months before their divorce, Tameka Foster went into cardiac arrest prior to undergoing cosmetic surgery (depicted by scenes of Usher comforting a woman in the hospital in the accompanying video for "Numb"). A couple years later, fans booed him after he walked off stage mid-show in Berlin. Then, in the midst of a highly publicized custody battle with Foster, his 11-year-old stepson died after a tragic jet ski accident.

In true Usher fashion, he sang and danced through the pain: "Keep on doing the same old thing/ And you expecting change/ Well, is that really insanity/ Or just a losers' game?" he ponders in the second verse.

Stalling at No. 69 on the Hot 100, "Numb" is one of Usher's lowest-charting songs — but along with "Sins of My Father," which deals with breaking generational curses, it spotlights his depth as an artist.

"Tell Me," Hard II Love (2016)

Usher set out to make music he wanted to with 2016's Hard II Love . Though it marked his first album to miss the top spot in eight years, the 15-track LP is a welcome return to his R&B roots. He does just that in "Tell Me," a nearly nine-minute carnal extravaganza that acts as the album's centerpiece and encompasses the physical, emotional, and spiritual connection between two lovers.

At face value, "Tell Me" boasts Usher's endurance in the bedroom, but on a deeper level, it's about intimacy — an element missing from a great deal of today's R&B, especially from the male perspective. His golden falsetto shines through, making eight and a half minutes sound like the sweetest serenade.

"Boyfriend" (2023)

Last summer, things got interesting when Keke Palmer stopped by Usher's acclaimed Vegas residency, where she was serenaded by the "There's Goes My Baby" singer. Seen by millions, the lighthearted moment turned negative when Darius Jackson, the father of Palmer's child, publicly shamed her for the sheer outfit she wore to the show.

But in the name of entertainment, Usher seized the moment, flipping the controversy into a new earworm. Adding fuel to the fire, Palmer stars in the video, which appears to be filmed in Vegas. And the lyrics are as cheeky as they come: "Somebody said that your boyfriend's lookin' for me/ Oh, that's cool, that's cool/ Well, he should know I'm pretty easy to find/ Just look for me wherever he sees you."

The stunt jokingly earned Usher the nickname "Domestic Terrorist," but more importantly, it illustrated his power to still generate buzz as a well-established artist amid the rise of R&B's new class comprising younger male singers like Steve Lacy , Jvck James, Brent Faiyaz , and Lucky Daye .

Thirty years after his debut, Usher proves he's the last of his kind with the voice, sales, and stage presence to back it up. In a recent interview with Vogue , he described his highly anticipated Super Bowl performance as a "celebration for everybody, for all of us, from the beginning up until this point." 

It'll be the single biggest showcase of his career, but judging by his showmanship, he'll meet the moment while reminding the world of his greatness as a new, exciting era begins — one that demonstrates he's still at the top of his game.

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Photo: Williams Peters

Meet Usher Collaborator Pheelz, The Nigerian Producer & Singer Who Wants You To 'Pheelz Good'

After working with Usher on two tracks for his latest album, 'Coming Home,' Lagos' Pheelz is looking inward. His new EP, 'Pheelz Good II' drops May 10 and promises to be an embrace of the artist's unabashed self.

If you were online during the summer of 2022, chances are you’ve heard Pheelz’s viral hit single "Finesse." The swanky Afro-fusion track (featuring fellow Nigerian artist Bnxn) ushered in a world of crossover success for Pheelz, who began his career as a producer for the likes of Omah Lay, Davido , and Fireboy DML.

Born Phillip Kayode Moses, Pheelz’s religious upbringing in Lagos state contributed to his development as a musician. He manned the choir at his father’s church while actively working on his solo music. Those solo efforts garnered praise from his peers and music executives, culminating in Pheelz's debut EP in 2021. Hear Me Out saw Pheelz fully embrace his talent as a vocalist, songwriter, and producer. 

"I feel important, like I’m just molding clay, and I have control over each decision," Pheelz tells GRAMMY.com about creating his own music. 

2022 saw the release of the first two tapes in his Pheelz Good trilogy: Pheelz Good I and Pheelz Good (Triibe Tape) , which was almost entirely self-produced. The 29-year-old's consistency has paid off: he produced and sang on Usher ’s "Ruin," the lead single from his latest album Coming Home , and also produced the album's title track featuring Burna Boy . But Pheelz isn't only about racking up big-name collaborators; the self-proclaimed African rockstar's forthcoming projects will center on profound vulnerability and interpersonal honesty. First up: Pheelz Good II EP , out May 10, followed by a studio album in late summer.

Both releases will see the multi-hyphenate "being unapologetically myself," Pheelz tells GRAMMY.com. "It will also be me being as vulnerable as I can be. And it’s going to be me embracing my "crayge" [crazy rage]...being myself, and allowing my people to gravitate towards me."

Ahead of his new project, Pheelz spoke with GRAMMY.com about his transition from producer artist, designing all his own 3D cover art, his rockstar aesthetic, and what listeners can expect from Pheelz Good II .

This interview has been edited for clarity.

What sparked your transition from singing in church to realizing your passion for creating music?

For me, it wasn’t really a transition. I just always loved making music so for me I felt like it was just wherever I go to make music, that’s where I wanna be. I would be in church and I was the choirmaster at some point in my life, so I would write songs for Sunday service as well. And then I would go to school as well and write in school, and people heard me and they would love it. And I would want to do more of that as well. 

A friend of my dad played some of my records for the biggest producers in Nigeria back then and took me on as an intern in his studio. I guess that’s the transition from church music into the industry. My brothers and sisters were in the choir, but that came with the job of being the children of the pastor, I guess. None of them really did music like me; I’m the only one who took music as a career and pursued it.

You made a name for yourself as a producer before ever releasing your music, earning Producer Of The Year at Nigeria’s Headies Awards numerous times. What finally pushed you to get into the booth?

I’ve always wanted to get into the booth. The reason why I actually started producing was to produce beats for songs that I had written. I’ve always been in the booth, but always had something holding me back. Like a kind of subconscious feeling over what my childhood has been. I wasn’t really outspoken as a child growing up, so I wouldn’t want people to really hear me and would shy away from the camera in a sense. I think that stuck with me and held me back. 

But then COVID happened and then I caught COVID and I’m like Oh my god and like that [ snaps fingers ] What I am doing? Why am I not going full steam? Like why do I have all this amazing awesomeness inside of me and no one gets to it because I’m scared of this or that?

There was this phrase that kept ringing in my head: You have to die empty. You can’t leave this earth with all of this gift that God has given you; you have to make sure you empty yourself. And since then, it’s just been back-to-back, which just gave me the courage.  

How did you react to " Finesse" in former President Barack Obama’s annual summer playlist in 2022?

Bro, I reacted crazy but my dad went bananas. [ Laughs. ] I was really grateful for that moment, but just watching my dad react like that to that experience was the highlight of that moment for me. He's such a fan of Barack Obama and to see that his son’s music is on the playlist, it just made his whole month. Literally. He still talks about it to this day. 

Experiences like that just make me feel very grateful to be here. Life has really been a movie, just watching a movie and just watching God work and being grateful for everything.

At first he [my dad] [didn’t support my career] because every parent wants their child to be a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer. But when he saw the hunger [I have], and I was stubborn with [wanting] to do music, he just had to let me do it. And now he’s my number one fan. 

Your latest single, "Go Low" arrived just in time for festival season. What was it like exploring the live elements of your art at SXSW and your headlining show in London at the end of April?

I have always wanted to perform live. I’ve always loved performing; Pheelz on stage is the best Pheelz. Coming from church every Sunday, I would perform, lead prayers and worship, so I’ve always wanted to experience that again.

Having to perform live with my band around the world is incredible man. And I’ll forever raise the flag of amazing Afro live music because there’s a difference, you know? [ Laughs .] There are so many elements and so many rhythms and so many grooves

I’ve noticed that much of your recent cover art for your singles and EPs is animated or digitally crafted. What’s the significance, if any, of this stylistic choice?

It still goes back to my childhood because I wasn’t expressive as a child; I wouldn’t really talk or say how I felt. I’d rather write about it, write a song about it, write a poem about it, or draw about it. I’d draw this mask and then put how I’m feeling into that character, so if I was angry, the mask would be raging and just angry.

The angry ones were the best ones, so that stuck with me even after I started coming out of my shell and talking and being expressive; that act of drawing a mask still stuck with me. And then I got into 3D, and I made a 3D version of the mask and I made a 3D character of the mask. So I made that the main character, and then I just started making my lyric videos, again post-COVID, and making them [lyric videos] to the characters and making the actual video mine as well.

In the future, I’m gonna get into fashion with the characters, I’m gonna get into animation and cartoons and video games, but I just wanna take it one step at a time with the music first. So, in all of my lyric videos, you get to experience the characters. There’s a fight [scene] among them in one of the lyric videos called "Ewele"; there is the lover boy in the lyric video for "Stand by You"; there are the bad boys in the lyric video for "Balling." They all have their own different characters so hopefully in the near future, I will get to make a feature film with them and just tell their story [and] build a world with them. I make sure I put extra energy into that, make most of them myself so the imprint of my energy is gonna be on it as well because it’s very important to me.

You and Usher have a lengthy working relationship. You first performed together in 2022 at the Global Citizen Festival, then produced/co-wrote "Coming Home" and "Ruin." Take us through the journey of how you two began collaborating.

It started through a meeting with [Epic Records CEO] L.A. Reid; he was telling me about the album that they were working on for Usher and I’m like, "Get me into the studio and lemme see what I can cook up." And they got me into the studio, [with Warner Records A&R] Marc Byers, and I wrote and produced "Coming Home." I already had "Ruin" a year before that. 

["Ruin"] was inspired by a breakup I just went through. Some of the greatest art comes from pain, I guess. That record was gonna be for my album but after I came home I saw how L.A. Reid and Usher reacted and how they loved it. I told them, "I have this other song, and I think you guys would like it for this album." And I played "Ruin," and the rest was history.

Before your upcoming EP, you’ve worked with Pharrell Williams , Kail Uchis , and the Chainsmokers in the studio. What do you consider when selecting potential collaborators?

To be honest, I did not look for these collabs. It was like life just brought them my way, because for me I’m open to any experience. I’m open to life; I do it the best I can at any moment, you understand? 

Having worked with Pharrell now, Dr. Dre , Timbaland, and the Chainsmokers, I’m still shocked at the fact that this is happening. But ultimately, I am grateful for the fact that this is happening. I am proud of myself as well for how far I’ve come. Someone like Timbaland — they are literally the reason why I started producing music; I would literally copy their beats, and try to sound like them growing up. 

[Now] I have them in the same room talking, and we’re teaching and learning, making music and feeding off of each others’ energy. It’s a dream come true, literally.

What's it like working with am electro-pop group like the Chainsmokers? How’d you keep your musical authenticity on "PTSD"?

That experiment ["PTSD"] was actually something I would play with back home. But the crazy thing is, it’s gonna be on the album now, not the EP. I would play it back home, like just trying to get the EDM and Afrohouse world to connect, cause I get in my Albert Einstein bag sometimes and just try and experiment. So when I met the Chainsmokers and like. "Okay, this is an opportunity to actually do it now," and we had a very lengthy conversation. 

We bonded first as friends before we went into the studio. We had an amazing conversation talking about music, [them] talking about pop and electronic music, and me talking about African music. So it was just a bunch of producers geeking out on what they love to do. And then we just talk through how we think the sound would be like really technical terms. Then we get into the studio and just bang it out. Hopefully, we get to make some more music because I think we can create something for the world together.

I’ve noticed you dress a bit eccentrically. Have you always had this aesthetic?

I’ve always dabbled in fashion. Even growing up, I would sketch for my sister and make this little clothing, so like I would kick up my uniform as well, make it baggy, make it flare pants, make it fly. 

I think that stuck with me until now, trying different things with fashion. And now I have like stylists I can talk to and throw ideas off of and create something together. So yeah, I want to get into the fashion space and see what the world has in store for me. 

What can fans expect as you’re putting the finishing touches on your upcoming EP Pheelz Good II and your album?

Pheelz Good II , [will be] a close to the Pheelz Good trilogy of Pheelz Good I , Pheelz Good Triibe Tape and Pheelz Good II . The album is going to be me being unapologetically myself still. But it will also be me being as vulnerable as I can be. 

It’s going to be me embracing my crayge [crazy rage]. Like just embracing me unapologetically and being me, being myself, and allowing my people to gravitate towards me, you get me. But I’m working on some really amazing music that I am so proud of. I’m so proud of the EP and the album.

Mr. Eazi’s Gallery: How The Afrobeats Star Brought His Long-Awaited Album To Life With African Art

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

9 Reasons Why Usher's 'Confessions' Is R&B's Definitive Blockbuster Album

Just before Usher kicks off his extensive world tour, the R&B superstar celebrates the 20th anniversary of his magnum opus, 'Confessions.' Here's a look at the ways the album changed the genre — and cemented Usher as an icon.

"All of us have our Pandora's boxes or skeletons in our closets," Usher told MTV News while promoting his 2004 album, Confessions . "I've got a lot of things and stuff built in me that I just want to let go of."

He sure wasn't kidding. The concept album, and loosely based around his relationship with TLC 's Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas — essentially played out like a prime-time soap opera set to music. But its brutally honest narrative and earworm hooks connected like no other contemporary R&B record before or since, solidifying Usher as one of music's modern greats.

In fact, Confessions was the second-best selling album of the 2000s (only behind *NSYNC 's 2000 juggernaut, No Strings Attached ), thanks in part to four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers and a string of attention-grabbing videos that allowed Usher to showcase his skills as a singer, dancer, actor, and all-round loverman.

Just after delivering a career-defining Super Bowl halftime show performance, Usher celebrates  20 years of Confessions on March 23. To commemorate the anniversary, here's a look at why Confessions remains the R&B scene's definitive blockbuster.

It Saved The Record Industry 

Thanks to the rise in illegal downloads and decline of "Total Request Live" - friendly blockbusters, the music industry began 2004 staring down a fourth consecutive year of declining sales. Step forward their savior, Usher Raymond IV.

Confessions shifted a colossal 1.1. million copies in its first week, the highest number since Eminem 's The Eminem Show in 2002, and didn't stop selling. By the end of December, its total had ballooned to nearly eight million — double its closest competitor, Norah Jones ' Feels Like Home , to become the year's biggest commercial smash.

Usher's magnum opus was widely credited with getting the American public back into record stores again, resulting in a 1.6 percent increase in overall album sales. But Confessions ' journey wasn't done there. In 2012, it was awarded diamond status, joining TLC's CrazySexyCool and Boyz II Men 's II as the only R&B representatives in the exclusive club, with its current tally now reportedly standing at 18 million!

It Invented Crunk&B 

Crunk, an energetic form of southern hip-hop defined by its 808 basslines, kick drums, and general party-starting vibes, originated in the mid-1990s. But it took nearly a decade for the sound to crossover from the Miami underground to the top of the charts. And then the lead single from Confessions took the scene to another level.

With its high-pitched synth hook, emphatic beats, and hype man chants from the subgenre's self-proclaimed king Lil Jon , "Yeah!" had all the hallmarks of a crunk classic. But Usher's smooth, soulful tones and Ludacris ' playful rhymes gave the dance floor anthem a much stronger melodic edge, prompting critics to coin a new term, Crunk&B.

Several artists took note of the crunk and contemporary R&B crossover, with both Ciara 's "Goodies" and Chris Brown 's "Run It" also topping the Hot 100. But "Yeah!" remains the sound's crowning glory, as proven by the diamond status it achieved right before Usher's Super Bowl halftime show (Usher is also now only the third ever Black artist to have a diamond-certified single and album, alongside Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston ).

It Further Bridged The Gap Between R&B And Hip-Hop 

While previous albums Usher , My Way, and 8701 had all been grounded in slick, soulful R&B, Confessions was a concerted attempt to bridge the gap between his signature sound and the grittier world of hip-hop. The man himself admits that he took just as much inspiration from Eminem and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony as his usual suspects, like Michael Jackson and James Brown, to create an album that was aimed equally at the bedroom and the clubs.

Alongside the famous guest appearances from Lil Jon and Ludacris, the LP also drew upon the production talents of Roc-A-Fella regular Just Blaze . Meanwhile, on the special edition, Jadakiss laid down some bars on "Throwback," while the remix of "Confessions Part II" boasted rhymes from Shyne, Twista , and Kanye West .

That's not to say thatNot that Usher forgot his roots, though., Has proven by his collab with Keys ("My Boo"), recruitment of legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis , and contributions from long-time collaborators Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox all helped remind of his R&B prowess. "I feel like it is the base of everything," Usherhe said about his love of R&B at the time. "I want to make it more prominent."

It Was A GRAMMY Favorite 

Although Ray Charles posthumously won the most awards of the night, the 2005 GRAMMYs undoubtedly still belonged to Usher. The R&B star not only took home three golden gramophones, but he also brought the house down thanks to a spellbinding duet with the Godfather of Soul.

A sharp-suited Usher first took to the stage for an epically choreographed performance of Confessions ' fifth single "Caught Up," before James Brown — who even at the age of 71 still had several moves of his own — popped up for a joint rendition of his classic, "Sex Machine."

Usher was no doubt in a celebratory mood. By this point, he'd picked up three of the eight categories he'd been nominated in: Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Yeah!," and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal alongside Alicia Keys for "My Boo." (As of press time, Usher has won eight GRAMMYs and received 23 GRAMMY nominations.)

It Brought A Confessional Side Back To R&B 

From Marvin Gaye 's Here, My Dear to D'Angelo 's B rown Sugar , some of the greatest R&B records of the 20th century resulted from artists baring their souls as if their lives depended on it. This was an approach that had largely fallen by the wayside as time went on, with some suggesting that the genre gradually became more emotionally stunted.

Usher, on the other hand, had no qualms whatsoever about laying it all on the line, namely the ups and downs of his relationship with Thomas. On the falsetto-voiced "Burn," he willingly displays devastation over his breakup ("I'm twisted 'cause one side of me's telling me that I need to move on/ On the other side I wanna break down and cry"). And even by the penultimate track, "Take Your Hand," he still seems to be in a state of torment ("In your loving, every time I feel your touch/ Second thoughts, more doubts started building up").

Usher's confessional approach continued in 2008 with Here I Stand 's love letter to then-wife Tameka Foster and then again in 2010 with the divorce-themed Raymond vs. Raymond . And many other R&B artists, including Janelle Monae and Beyoncé , have since made career bests by delving similarly deep into their personal lives.

It Inspired A Generation Of R&B Lotharios 

Think of any R&B lothario who's emerged in the last 20 years and chances are they've been heavily inspired by Confessions . Jason Derulo has said as much, describing it as a "classic album" and "just start to finish awesome"; Ne-Yo echoed that sentiment to BBC Radio 1 , calling it "flawless top to bottom." While Bryson Tiller explicitly told Fuse he wanted to make a record in the same vein. And you can hear its influence in everything from Drake 's more romantic offerings to August Alsina's intimate revelations.

And 10 years after Robin Thicke co-penned and co-produced Confessions ' sensuous bedroom jam, "Can U Handle It," he released his own breakup tale with 2014's Paula .  Though he hasn't ever explicitly cited Confessions as an influence, Paula is a concept album about Thicke's real-life marriage breakdown, which essentially doubled up as a begging letter to his estranged wife.

It's A Storytelling Masterclass 

In 2023, it was announced that an untitled drama series inspired by Usher's back catalog was in the works. No doubt that the project, said to be "about Black love in Atlanta and individuals looking to find a place to call home," will draw heavily upon the storytelling masterclass that is Confessions .

Take "Truth Hurts," for example, the relationship tale in which Usher initially presents himself as the wounded party before revealing that he was, in fact, the one being adulterous ("I've been blaming you when I'm the one that's doing wrong/ I'ma go on/ My guilty conscience is the real reason I wrote this song").

Usher also appeared to enjoy keeping audiences guessing about whether his confessions were truly autobiographical or borrowed from the album's male-centric production team. See the two title tracks, which suggested the lothario had himself become a father following a one-night stand, when in reality, the paternity drama was all Dupri's.

"We wanted the media to ask us questions," the latter admitted to Vibe in 2014, citing Michael Jackson as a key attention-grabbing influence. "Nobody knows who the f— Billie Jean is. We're still looking for her."

It Helped Breathe New Life Into Several Soul Classics 

While much of Confessions was interested in pushing R&B forward, it wasn't entirely averse to getting a little nostalgic. The record is filled with cleverly chosen samples from the soul of yesteryear, from Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes ' "Is There a Place for Me" on "Take Your Hand" to Willie Hutch 's Mack's Stroll on "Superstar" and Preston Love's "Chili Mac" on "Whatever I Want."

And nearly 20 years before Doja Cat repurposed a Dionne Warwick classic to chart-topping effect on 2023's "Paint the Town Red," Usher brought the Motown legend into the contemporary R&B world by borrowing from "You're Gonna Need Me" on the aptly titled "Throwback."

It Broke Multiple Chart Records  

You know an artist has reached true greatness when they start being mentioned in the same breath as The Beatles . In 2004, Usher became the first act since the Fab Four to have both the biggest and second biggest-selling singles of Billboard's year-end chart with "Yeah!" and "Burn," respectively. And this was far from the only major milestone Confessions achieved. 

Until Taylor Swift 's Fearless spent an additional fortnight in the top spot in 2009, the album's nine weeks atop the Billboard 200 was the longest run of the millennium. And with "Confessions Part II" also reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100 (ironically, replacing "Burn"), Usher not only became the first artist in  history to achieve three consecutive chart toppers, but also the first act to spend more than half a calendar year atop the Hot 100 at 28 combined weeks. 

Twenty years on, Confessions is still the highest-selling record by a Black artist this century. And further exemplifying his staying power and impact across the globe, Usher will soon embark on a lengthy world tour that has sold out from Brooklyn to Berlin — a momentous way to honor the album that changed the R&B game.

24 Songs Turning 20: Listen To 2004's Bangers, From "Yeah!" To "Since U Been Gone"

Photo: L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

17 Love Songs That Have Won GRAMMYs: "I Will Always Love You," "Drunk In Love" & More

Over the GRAMMYs' 66-year history, artists from Frank Sinatra to Ed Sheeran have taken home golden gramophones for their heartfelt tunes. Take a look at some of the love songs that have won GRAMMYs.

Editor's Note: This is an update to a story from 2017.

Without heart-bursting, world-shifting love songs, music wouldn't be the same. There are countless classic and chart-topping hits dedicated to love, and several of them have won GRAMMYs.

We're not looking at tunes that merely deal with shades of love or dwell in heartbreak. We're talking out-and-out, no-holds-barred musical expressions of affection — the kind of love that leaves you wobbly at the knees.

No matter how you're celebrating Valentine's Day (or not), take a look at 18 odes to that feel-good, mushy-gushy love that have taken home golden gramophones over the years.

Frank Sinatra , "Strangers In The Night"

Record Of The Year / Best Vocal Performance, Male, 1967

Ol' Blue Eyes offers but a glimmer of hope for the single crowd on Valentine's Day, gently ruminating about exchanging glances with a stranger and sharing love before the night is through.

Willie Nelson , "Always On My Mind"

Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, 1983

In this cover, Nelson sings to the woman in his life, lamenting over those small things he should have said and done, but never took the time. Don't find yourself in the same position this Valentine's Day.

Lionel Richie , "Truly"

Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, 1983

"Truly" embodies true dedication to a loved one, and it's delivered with sincerity from the king of '80s romantic pop — who gave life to the timeless love-song classics "Endless Love," "Still" and "Three Times A Lady."

Roy Orbison , "Oh, Pretty Woman"

Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, 1991

Orbison captures the essence of encountering a lovely woman for the first time, and offers helpful one-liners such as "No one could look as good as you" and "I couldn't help but see … you look as lovely as can be." Single men, take notes.

Whitney Houston , "I Will Always Love You"

Record Of The Year, Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, 1994

Houston passionately delivers a message of love, remembrance and forgiveness on her version of this song, which was written by country sweetheart Dolly Parton and first nominated for a GRAMMY in 1982.

Celine Dion , "My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From Titanic)"  

Record Of The Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, 1999

This omnipresent theme song from the 1997 film Titanic was propelled to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 as the story of Jack and Rose (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and GRAMMY winner Kate Winslet) swept the country.

Shania Twain , "You're Still The One"

Best Female Country Vocal Performance, Best Country Song, 1999

Co-written with producer and then-husband Mutt Lange, Twain speaks of beating the odds with love and perseverance in lyrics such as, "I'm so glad we made it/Look how far we've come my baby," offering a fresh coat of optimism for couples of all ages.

Usher & Alicia Keys , "My Boo"

Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals, 2005

"There's always that one person that will always have your heart," sings Usher in this duet with Keys, taking the listener back to that special first love. The chemistry between the longtime friends makes this ode to “My Boo” even more heartfelt, and the love was still palpable even 20 years later when they performed it on the Super Bowl halftime show stage.

Bruno Mars , "Just The Way You Are"

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, 2011

Dating advice from Bruno Mars: If you think someone is beautiful, you should tell them every day. Whether or not it got Mars a date for Valentine's Day, it did get him a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona , "Fool For You" 

Best Traditional R&B Performance, 2012

It's a far cry from his previous GRAMMY-winning song, "F*** You," but "Fool For You" had us yearning for "that deep, that burning/ That amazing unconditional, inseparable love."

Justin Timberlake , "Pusher Love Girl" 

Best R&B Song, 2014

Timberlake is so high on the love drug he's "on the ceiling, baby." Timberlake co-wrote the track with James Fauntleroy, Jerome Harmon and Timbaland, and it's featured on his 2013 album The 20/20 Experience , which flew high to No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Beyoncé & Jay-Z , "Drunk In Love"

Best R&B Performance / Best R&B Song, 2015

While "Drunk In Love" wasn't the first love song that won Beyoncé and Jay-Z a GRAMMY — they won two GRAMMYs for "Crazy In Love" in 2004 — it is certainly the sexiest. This quintessential 2010s bop from one of music's most formidable couples captures why their alliance set the world's hearts aflame (and so did their steamy GRAMMYs performance of it).

Ed Sheeran , "Thinking Out Loud"

Song Of The Year / Best Pop Solo Performance, 2016

Along with his abundant talent, Sheeran's boy-next-door charm is what rocketed him to the top of the pop ranks. And with swooning lyrics and a waltzing melody, "Thinking Out Loud" is proof that he's a modern-day monarch of the love song.

Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper , "Shallow"

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance / Best Song Written For Visual Media, 2019

A Star is Born 's cachet has gone up and down with its various remakes, but the 2018 iteration was a smash hit. Not only is that thanks to moving performances from Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, but particularly thanks to their impassioned, belt-along duet "Shallow."

H.E.R. & Daniel Caesar , "Best Part"

Best R&B Performance, 2019

"If life is a movie/ Know you're the best part." Who among us besotted hasn't felt their emotions so widescreen, so thunderous? Clearly, H.E.R. and Daniel Caesar have — and they poured that feeling into the GRAMMY-winning ballad "Best Part."

Kacey Musgraves , "Butterflies"

Best Country Solo Performance, 2019

As Musgraves' Album Of The Year-winning LP Golden Hour shows, the country-pop star can zoom in or out at will, capturing numberless truths about the human experience. With its starry-eyed lyrics and swirling production, "Butterflies" perfectly encapsulates the flutter in your stomach that love can often spark.

Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber , "10,000 Hours"

Best Country Duo/Group Performance, 2021

When country hook-meisters Dan + Shay teamed up with pop phenom Justin Bieber, their love song powers were unstoppable. With more than 1 billion Spotify streams alone, "10,000 Hours" has become far more than an ode to just their respective wives; it's an anthem for any lover.

Lovesick Or Sick Of Love: Listen To GRAMMY.com's Valentine's Day Playlist Featuring Taylor Swift, Doja Cat, Playboi Carti, Olivia Rodrigo, FKA Twigs & More

Photo: Michael Owens/Getty Images

Usher's Super Bowl Halftime Show Was More Than A Performance, It Was A Celebration Of Black Excellence

From celebrating Atlanta's HBCU culture to shining light on Southern rappers like Ludacris and Lil Jon, Usher brought the brilliance of the Black South to Las Vegas.

In the days leading up to Usher’s Super Bowl performance , the singer waxed poetically about the significance of this moment not only in popular culture but for Black music.

Speaking with Kelly Carter on "Good Morning America," Usher reflected on the history of Black entertainers who performed for the masses under restrictive laws . Although a majority of those laws have been overturned, it would be remiss to not think about the recent series of court cases that have targeted Black musicians, such as Atlanta-based rapper Young Thug , whose music is currently being used against him in court . 

For singers like Usher who have been privy to the ways in which Black music — and those who create it — have been mistreated, his halftime performance was as much as a statement as it was a tribute to those who came before him. "I'm coming through the front door with this one," Usher told Carter.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@recordingacademy)

It is only fitting that the performance opened with lines from "My Way" — the title of his Las Vegas residency, which has featured a who’s who of prominent figures in pop culture — before launching into "Caught Up." Usher then descended from his anointed throne in a crisp, all white Dolce & Gabbana ensemble, he began a Michael Jackson -inspired dance routine with an array of backup dancers; the standout being renowned celebrity choreographer Sean Bankhead.

Usher made it clear early on, however, that his performance was no mere spectacle. He paused to deliver a testimony, one that bears repeating despite his new album and $100 million-earning Vegas residency : "They said I wouldn't make it, they said I wouldn't be here today, but I am." 

Once the air cleared and Usher thanked his momma for her steadfast advocacy and faith in him, he led Allegiant Stadium in a sing along of "Superstar." The track from 2004’s Confessions recently inspired a viral challenge on TikTok. 

A consummate performer and supporter of his peers, Usher wasn't content to simply highlight his own success. The singer transformed Allegiant Stadium to " The Yard " — the singular place at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, where students gather to talk, discuss, and have fun — and filled it with music. 

Usher’s Yard included a performance of "Love In This Club" with the assistance of two members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. , the second oldest Black fraternity in the U.S. The trio was supported by the Jackson State University marching band, known as the "Sonic Boom of The South," to finish the song. 

Even his brief moment of affection with singer Alicia Keys , who joined the singer for "My Boo," can be described as a "homecoming hug." Homecoming is another HBCU tradition, where alumni convene at their respective campuses and greet their former flame with a hug.

When Jermaine Dupri entered the stage to announce the 20th anniversary of Confessions , the transportation was complete. The audience was no longer in Vegas, but in Atlanta, the Black Mecca of the world. And Usher is Atlanta’s nucleus.

It is here that the spirits of Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye , and Prince accompanied Usher as he bewitched millions with a singular microphone and momentum stage presence. A haze of purple clouds and smoke led the way for singer H.E.R. , the night’s self appointed "Bad Girl" and her crew of roller skating baddies.

While Usher may have began the halftime show with the enthusiasm of a young boy who just got his chance to perform a solo in the church choir, by its end he was fully inhabiting his chart-topping sex icon persona. Will.i.am ’s voice rippled through the stadium as Usher, donning a blue and black Off-White outfit reminiscent of football shoulder pads, glided onto the stage with an aura that is equal parts charismatic and sinful sweet. 

Skating, a main tenant of Atlanta’s culture, is embedded in Usher’s ethos and a part of his larger business. The singer loves skating and owns several skating rinks.

Usher finished the extravagant performance with "Yeah!" — a song beloved in Atlanta and far, far beyond. That the song is turning 20 this year and still resonates with a global audience (not to mention a football-loving one) is further evidence that Usher truly is the "King of R&B."

"Your moment is your moment. And this is a moment I’ve prepared for during the last 30 years," Usher told Billboard ahead of the Super Bowl. 

He certainly owned his moment. Usher's Super Bowl halftime show was no singular performance or an audition, but a coronation. He was receiving the torch carried by all the Black entertainers who preceded him, and reminding the world that the South still has something to say. 

Surrounded by Ludacris and Lil Jon ,  strippers, and his own marching band, Usher closed the night out with the A-Town Stomp and one important phase: "I took the world to the A!" 

Usher's Biggest Hits, From Baby-Making Slow Jams To Dance Floor Classics

• 1 Usher's Biggest Hits, From Baby-Making Slow Jams To Dance Floor Classics
• 2 Meet Usher Collaborator Pheelz, The Nigerian Producer & Singer Who Wants You To 'Pheelz Good'
• 3 9 Reasons Why Usher's 'Confessions' Is R&B's Definitive Blockbuster Album
• 4 17 Love Songs That Have Won GRAMMYs: "I Will Always Love You," "Drunk In Love" & More
• 5 Usher's Super Bowl Halftime Show Was More Than A Performance, It Was A Celebration Of Black Excellence

Usher, Kanye to Tour

By Andrew Dansby

Andrew Dansby

R&B crooner Usher and rap super-producer Kanye West are responsible for two of the biggest selling albums of 2004. Now the pair have decided to pool their popularity for this summer’s The Truth tour, to launch August 5th in Hampton, Virginia.

Usher will be plugging his monstrous hit Confessions . The record has spent nine of its twelve weeks at Number One. The record slipped to Number Two this week, but its sales of 171,000 pushed Confessions past 4 million copies sold. Having produced hits for Jay-Z, Twista and numerous others, West has fared well with his debut, College Dropout . The record has sold more than 2 million copies and sits at Number Twelve on the album chart this week.

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The tour is currently scheduled to run twenty-four dates wrapping up on October 7th in New York City.

The Truth tour dates:

8/5: Hampton, VA, Hampton Coliseum 8/6: Baltimore, 1st Mariner Arena 8/7: Raleigh, NC, RBC Center 8/10: Cleveland, CSU Convocation Center 8/13: Cincinnati, US Bank Arena 8/14: Columbus, OH, Schottenstein Center 8/20: Washington, DC, MCI Center 8/21: East Rutherford, NJ, Continental Airlines Arena 8/25: New Orleans, Superdome 8/26: Houston, Toyota Center 8/31: Oakland, Oakland Arena 9/2: Los Angeles, Staples Center 9/11: Auburn Hills, MI, Palace of Auburn Hills 9/15: Dallas, American Airlines Arena 9/17: Memphis, FedEx Arena 9/18: St. Louis, Savvis Center 9/19: Kansas City, Kemper Arena 9/23: Miami, American Airlines Arena 9/24: Tampa, St. Pete Times Forum 9/25: Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Arena 9/30: Charlotte, NC, Coliseum 10/1: Greenville, SC, Bi-Lo Center 10/3: Atlanta, Philips Arena 10/7: New York, Madison Square Garden

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Usher Announces ‘Past Present Future’ Tour

Usher has announced a big tour called Past Present Future spanning multiple cities in the U.S.

Produced by Live Nation, the 24 city USHER: Past Present Future tour will visit arenas across North America starting August 20 at Capital One Arena in Washington DC making stops in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Toronto, Atlanta, and more, before wrapping up in Chicago at United Center on October 29. More dates across the glob are expected to be revealed soon.

Take a look at the dates below. Tickets will be available starting with Citi and Verizon presales beginning Wednesday, February 7. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Monday, February 12 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com.

Usher will release a new album titled Coming Home on Feb 9th.

USHER: Past Present Future NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES:

Aug 20 | Washington, DC | Capital One Arena

Aug 24 | Baltimore, MD | CFG Bank Arena

Aug 27 | Boston, MA | TD Garden

Aug 30 | Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center

Sep 2 | Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena

Sep 3 | Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena

Sep 6 | Brooklyn, NY | Barclays Center

Sep 7 | Brooklyn, NY | Barclays Center

Sep 12 | Detroit, MI | Little Caesars Arena

Sep 17 | Denver, CO | Ball Arena

Sep 21 | Los Angeles, CA | Intuit Dome

Sep 22 | Los Angeles, CA | Intuit Dome

Sep 28 | Oakland, CA | Oakland Arena

Sep 29 | Oakland, CA | Oakland Arena

Oct 4 | Dallas, TX | American Airlines Center

Oct 7 | Austin, TX | Moody Center ATX

Oct 11 | Miami, FL | Kaseya Center

Oct 12 | Miami, FL | Kaseya Center

Oct 17 | Atlanta, GA | State Farm Arena

Oct 18 | Atlanta, GA | State Farm Arena

Oct 22 | Charlotte, NC | Spectrum Center

Oct 26 | St. Louis, MO | Enterprise Center

Oct 28 | Chicago, IL | United Center

Oct 29 | Chicago, IL | United Center

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Usher Is Hitting The Road For His "USHER: PAST PRESENT FUTURE Tour"

Today (Feb. 6), Usher announced his “USHER: PAST PRESENT FUTURE Tour.” It coincided with the upcoming release of his new album COMING HOME this Friday (Feb. 9) and his Super Bowl XVIII halftime performance in Las Vegas on Sunday (Feb. 11). 

The trek will span 24 cities, with the opening show taking place in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 20. Additional stops include Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, Austin, Charlotte, St. Louis, and Detroit. It’s also worth mentioning that Toronto, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Oakland, Miami, Atlanta, and Chicago have back-to-back dates. The arena run will conclude on Oct. 29 in the last-mentioned city.

Presale tickets for Citi card members and Verizon users start on Wednesday (Feb. 7), with general sales opening next Monday (Feb. 12) via LiveNation.com at 10 a.m. local time.

U ready for me? Presenting USHER: PAST PRESENT FUTURE, starting August 2024! Tickets on sale Monday, Feb 12 @ 10am local. Sign up for the fan presale starting Friday, Feb 9 @ 10am | https://t.co/0yQPF9MEQd pic.twitter.com/gZRg2BTFfX — Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) February 6, 2024

The “USHER: PAST PRESENT FUTURE Tour” will take place less than a year removed from his My Way Las Vegas residency , which ended after 100 shows in December. The series of concerts welcomed notable guests like Doja Cat, Keke Palmer, Saweetie, Kimora Lee Simmons, and more.

Meanwhile, COMING HOME is expected to pay tribute to Usher’s musical legacy. It boasts 20 songs and guest appearances from Summer Walker, 21 Savage, Latto, Burna Boy, The-Dream, H.E.R., Pheelz, and Jung Kook. Pre-release singles include “Ruin,” “Risk It All,” “Good Good,” and more.

In partnership with Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS , Usher revealed that there will be a bonus track titled “Naked.” The shapewear label teamed up with the R&B legend for its Mens Stretch T-Shirt and 5” Boxer Brief in several new colors.

“Launching this campaign ahead of multiple career milestones feels like a full circle moment, with SKIMS supporting the release of my new album, COMING HOME ,” Usher said in a press statement. “With the way that I move, being this comfortable in what you wear is essential. SKIMS is about embracing who you are, inside and out, and feeling empowered to express yourself authentically.”

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by SKIMS (@skims)

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Usher Announces ‘My Way’ 25th Anniversary Edition / Reveals Documentary Trailer

Usher is commemorating a major career milestone with a celebratory new release and a companion documentary.

Full story below…

This month brings with it the 25th anniversary of the superstar’s 1997 sophomore album ‘My Way’ and, to mark the occasion, Usher is releasing a special incarnation of the LP.

Christened ‘ My Way 25 th Anniversary Edition,’ the set features the original 7x Platinum album in its entirety, as well as three new reimagined versions of ‘My Way,’ ‘Nice and Slow,’ and ‘You Make Me Wanna.’

The refreshed tracks, which see Ush team with producer Ryan James Ca rr , are said to have influenced the sonics of his blockbuster appearance on Tiny Desk . A showing that now sits at 11 million views. 

Per LaFace Records and Legacy Recordings , the re-release will be supported by a mini-documentary named ‘Usher My Way Reimagined.’

Set to premiere on September 16 (along with the album itself), the YouTube special (which is directed by Dolapo Sangokoya ) will feature Ush musing on the creation of the project and what it inspired for the future. Indeed, the performer notably has named his latest Las Vegas residency after the album. The likes of Jermaine Dupri and other instrumental to ‘My Way’ are also set to appear.

Peep the trailer:

For the 25th anniversary cover, Usher recreated the original’s pose:

‘My Way 25th Anniversary Edition’ arrives on September 16 and is currently available to preorder/pre-save .

A 2LP 180g Silver Cloudy Vinyl edition will land in 2023.

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Now THIS is how a legend moves…. Take notes Nicki ☕️🫖

Not coming from a flop mani stan 💀🤣😂🤣 at least Nicki had a solo #1 hit and more than 100 singles charted on hot 100💅🏾 You must be delusional

I’ll be copping the vinyl edition!

Stop capping. Your broke ass couldn’t afford it. 💀

If YOU too broke to afford $40 that’s on YOU, hunnie! Probably why Monica stays flopping because you and her “stans” can’t afford to cop her s*** 💀

Shayla is horable stupid trashy ashy lady.

@LaTonya ….. Shayla is a BOY in real life. He got more balls than the NBA💀

He looks the exact same. why y’all on usher d*** all of a sudden. He got posts almost everyday now.

You just mad that Crackney gets ZERO posts. And back when she did, it was all about her smoking crack and giving a sweaty, cracked-out performance on the UK X Factor when her last album dropped lmaoooooooooo 🤣

only In your pipe dreams

only In your crack pipe dreams

You always drag Shaynigger and I love it

You vary horable trashy ashy lady

Breezy still better

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With jaws still ajar at the sudden cancelation of the Lovers & Friends Festival 2024 , Usher – who has spearheaded the live extravaganza since its launch – has issued a statement.

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Zaytoven Talks Creating ‘A’ With Usher, Giving Saweetie His Blessing to Date Quavo

'Billboard' caught up with Zaytoven for an inside look at how his 'A' album with Usher came together in just five days, recording in Chicago with Kanye West and Chance The Rapper, and receiving a…

By Michael Saponara

Michael Saponara

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“This is the Usher I fell in love with when he first came out,” Zaytoven explained to Billboard. “He was talking slick and had a certain swagger to himself. I think this “A” album is him getting back to that swaggy.” It wasn’t until a random night in late September when he received the unexpected phone call from a member of Usher’s team, informing him that the R&B legend was interested in linking up for a potential joint album.

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After connecting with Usher for “Papers”  back in 2009, Zay was salivating at the thought of crafting an entire project alongside the 40-year-old. Days later, the pair hunkered down at the Westlake Recording Studios in West Hollywood for what would lead into a five-day marathon to ultimately craft eight tracks collectively forming “ A .”

“‘Peace Sign’ was the song that started everything,” the trap pioneer detailed. “Usher was in the studio and I created something from scratch and ‘Peace Sign’ was the song we did that made us say, ‘Oh, we got something.’ That sparked the whole five day run.”

Trending on Billboard

Usher announces new project produced by zaytoven.

Working at a frenetic pace is nothing new for Zaytoven, as he easily rattles off numerous Atlanta rap titans he’s collaborated with for days at a time honing in on a single project. “That’s how it is when I work with Gucci Mane , Migos or Future and do projects with them. This was about [a month] ago. We literally did the project and got it mixed and mastered within two weeks,” he says.

The 38-year-old took it upon himself to inject a certain dose of youthfulness when creating a relevant trap sonic to complement Usher’s signature croon. “It was up to me to bring the youthfulness and the right now sound to the project,” Zay told Billboard. “I’m an R&B guy, but it seems like it’s not getting the looks it used to. It’s up to me and other producers like me to make the music for these new R&B guys.”

On the Billboard 200 chart dated Oct. 27, “A” debuted at No. 31. Even prior to the Let the Trap Say Amen producer beginning his latest musical endeavor, he received a surprise call from burgeoning Bay area artist Saweetie , who he considers to be basically family, as someone he’s witness grow since she was just a little girl. These days, the “ICY GRL” rapper is now all but confirmed to be dating Quavo  in her first high-profile relationship.

“She actually called me and asked me about Quavo. She wanted to see how he was,” Zay remembered before giving the Migos frontman his stamp of approval. “I’m like, ‘Quavo has been my guy.’ He has shown me nothing but respect in how he treats people. He’s a good dude. She definitely wanted to hit me about him first.”

We couldn’t let Zaytoven get away before asking him to paint a picture and give fans an inside look at his Chicago studio sessions with Kanye West and Chance The Rapper back in August, which he hopes to have land on their Good Ass Job joint album. “I never really even went to Chicago for real. Chance had called me saying, ‘I’m working on a project. Me and Ye working on something.’ I start making beats and Kanye comes from upstairs with some samples he put together. He pulled up a guitar and I started making a beat around it,” he began.

“After I’m midway making the beat, they grab a regular microphone and start freestyling for 10 minutes straight to the beat. The vibe was so crazy and everybody was hyped up,” the Atlanta native excitedly stated. “The song sounded so monstrous. I definitely feel that it should land on Good Ass Job . Kanye was definitely going crazy on the mic.”

Stream “A” below. 

        View this post on Instagram                   YETOVEN THE RAPPER A post shared by Zaytoven (@zaytovenbeatz) on Aug 29, 2018 at 5:19pm PDT

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