Usher is the undisputed King of R&B, and rightfully so he is gracing the cover of Billboard magazine with his crown perched atop his head. As the singer gears up for his winter trek ‘The UR Experience’ he dishes on the tour, the delay in his album which he attributes to creative process, being mentored by Diddy and also dishes on his troubled protege Justin Bieber.
Check out some of he excerpts below.
On the delay of his album
“I just ain’t ready,Meaning I have more that I want to say and more that I want to do. My process is pretty different. L.A. Reid will tell you, it takes two albums to make one with Usher.”
On The UR Experience Tour
Most tours cater to the specific launch of a project — not this time. The focus this time is the music. Going all the way back to the beginning.”
On finding quality time with his kids while working
“I’m not a morning person, but I’ve become one as the result of having kids,” “The morning is my private time to spend with my boys. The music industry doesn’t allow you to go to bed until five in the morning anyway. You have to just keep rolling.”
On Justin Bieber
“Our relationship is more man-to-man now,” he says. “He’s making his own decisions and it’s important to show support. I can say I’m not happy with all the choices my friend has made, but I’m supportive of him. I try my hardest to give as much positive reinforcement as I can. I’ll punch him in the f—ing chest when I need to, and give him a hug and kiss when I need to. It’s more than just mentoring. I love the kid.”
On Being mentored by Diddy as a kid
“I’d say I earned my stripes in New York City,” “My time with Puff, it gave me chutzpah.”
“I got to see performers like Tupac Shakur,” “Redman, Method Man, Ice Cube. I got to perform onstage with The Notorious B.I.G., be in sessions with him and Craig Mack. I got to be part of the driving force that was Bad Boy, that was Puff.”
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