Usher

Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond

Pushkin Industries

Music, Society & Culture

4.5 • 4.2K Ratings

🗓️ 23 February 2023

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Usher is one of few R&B acts from the ‘90s who has gone on to become a global superstar. Since the start of his 30-year career, Usher has sold over 65 million records worldwide. He’s also starred in the Broadway musical Chicago, been a coach on The Voice, and recently added a Las Vegas residency to his long list of artistic achievements.

On today's episode Justin Richmond talks to Usher about why conflict has always been a big motivator in his songwriting—especially when working with producer Jermaine Dupri on his 2004 classic album, Confessions. Usher also explains how elder statesmen like Quincy Jones have helped him maintain a level of sophistication throughout his career. And he reveals why he thinks his first ever single was too raunchy.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Usher songs HERE.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Pushkin
0:11.2	Usher is one of the few R&B acts in the 90s who's gone on to become a global superstar.
0:17.3	If you ask him today how it all happened, he'll tell you he manifested it all as a kid
0:22.2	back in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
0:24.8	Usher and his mom moved to Atlanta when he was just 12 years old so he could pursue a career
0:28.9	in music.
0:29.9	His first big break came in 93 when a song called me a Mac was released on the poetic
0:35.0	Justice soundtrack.
0:36.8	Shortly after he was signed to the face records and first found mainstream success with the
0:41.3	release of his sophomore album My Way in 97.
0:46.2	Since the beginning of his 30 year career, Usher sold over 65 million records worldwide.
0:51.9	He's also starred in the Broadway musical Chicago, Benic Coach on the Voice, and recently
0:57.8	added a Las Vegas residency to his long list of career achievements.
1:02.9	The Vegas show which sold out all of its 2022 dates was just extended to include 15 more
1:08.0	shows in June and October.
1:11.2	As you can probably imagine, Usher is a busy man.
1:14.2	I caught up with him on Zoom for today's episode between a vocal lesson, meetings with
1:18.6	his team, and his beautiful kids pressing for his attention.
1:23.2	During our chat, Usher explained why conflict has always been a big inspiration for a song
1:27.2	writing, especially when working with producer Jermaine Dupree, JD on his 2004 classic album,
1:33.4	Confessions.
1:34.4	Usher also talks about how Elder Statesmen like Quincy Jones have helped him maintain
	...

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