Usher Talks New Album, Jay-Z Collabo
May 15,2008 00:00
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While in the UK to perform at Radio One's Big Weekend, Usher performed new music from his upcoming album Here I Stand, then spoke with BBC Radio's Tim Westwood about his album and how his life has changed since the release of Confessions.During his interview with Westwood, Usher described how he's stayed busy by devoting time to his non-profit foundation, getting married and having a child. He also took a page out of Puffy's guide by adding Broadway to his repertoire with a stint in the musical Chicago.
"I started a label... a lot has changed," Usher told BBC Radio. "Over a year and a half of recording allowed me to really tell the story that I felt was necessary for this day and time as well as where I am in my life. What I wanted to talk about was a lot of those personal experiences.
With production help from will.i.am, Polow Da Don and Jermaine Dupri, as well as features from Young Jeezy, Lil' Wayne and Beyoncé, Usher's album, Here I Stand is the direct result of those experiences, particularly his new union with Tameka Foster.
"The story I'm telling on this album [are] based off the decisions I made; I took a stance that was against the norm," Usher said. "When you find your mate for life, you feel something. Dealing with that and manning up in that is a lot. There is a story that explains it to the tee on the album it's called 'Before I Met You' and the whole thing is about...
'I was a hustler and a player before I met you / I tricked a lil somethin' I hit a lil somethin' before I met you, but all of that done changed / my game, my frame of mind you got it right and I'll love you for life.'
When I played it for men they are like this is thing self explanatory, if I play it for my chick it will immediately get my chick what she need, I won't have to say it,'" he explained.
The message he delivers is one that Usher believes will stand the test of time.
"When you think of the classic material of the past, it's records like this that last forever," Ush said of Here I Stand. "20 years from now I hope to look back and love this album for the classic material that came out of it."
Among that soon to be classic material is Usher's Jermaine Dupri-produced collaboration with Jay-Z, "Best Things" which, for both newlywed artists, seems to speak directly to both of their lives.
"You spend a lifetime being chosen and the one time you choose, this is what you say, this is what you feel," Usher said. "I did a record with that sums it up. It's called 'Best Things.' Jay opens the record by saying 'seeds become plants, boys become men.' There you have it, that's it right there.'"
Here I Stand lands in stores May 30th via Jive Records.