Moulin Rouge
Proud Member
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/.../I-miss-Michael-Usher/articleshow/6305363.cms
In conversation with CNN’s “Talk Asia”, Usher talks about his discovery of teen sensation Justin Bieber. The interview will be aired on August 14 and 15, at 4.30pm and 1pm, respectively.
Today, you’re 31 years old, have sold 45 million albums and got five Grammy’s. When you were just a little Usher back in the day, going from talent show to talent show, trying to get somebody to give you your shot at stardom, is this how your pictured things turning out for yourself?
I remember standing in parking lots and meeting celebrities asking them to listen to me sing. Some of them passed me over, some of them gave me a shot and others lived to regret it. I definitely always had an idea of what I wanted to do, and knew as long as I could dedicate myself – energy, time and effort – the dream could come true. Having a team of people around me, like my mother and others who would support the growth of me... Growth of me as an artist makes me who I am today. So, I’m very happy with the results and there is so much that I have yet to do. This is only really the beginning of the story. Believe it or not, even some 40 million records later, it’s still the beginning.
When you cast your mind back to the early days, was it difficult trying to convince people that you had what it took?
Well, I was convinced. So I didn’t really need that confirmation from outside. It’s the beginning of the career that’s the hardest because you don’t get the awards and you have to work a little bit harder. I have had people in the business to help me find my way – LA Reed, Baby Face, Sean Puffy Combs at the time. I wanted to do things my way and eventually, began to incorporate what I wanted to talk about in my music, and it worked. So that was the beginning of it working, and me moving in the right direction. My albums – “8701” and “Confessions” were evolutions and explorations for me. The belief was really in me first, the fact that I felt like there was something that I had to offer as an entertainer and I wanted to do this.
Would you say you’re living your dream?
Swagado! I’m definitely living my dream to the fullest and am very happy that the Lord has blessed me the way that He has, to be a shining light in this place of positivity. This is an indication that if you simply believe in your dreams, you can make it. Hopefully, this will motivate children and adults all around the world. As I grow closer to my full destiny, hopefully you will stay tuned for because this is only the beginning.
Your mum was a single parent and she was also your manager for a long time. She’s not anymore. What’s your relationship like now, now that you’ve had that professional parting?
One of the most beautiful parts about life is evolution. The one thing that we know for sure is that change is inevitable. Though me and my mother have worked for many years together, we decided to sever our ties not because of any discrepancy, but growth. I’m actually really happy that now I’m able to have a closer relationship with my mother because it’s not all business. As I watch her with my children, it’s incredible... It’s almost as though she’s reliving it again. You’ve got two boys now. How has fatherhood impacted you?
It’s made me a better person, more conscious, more patient. I’m a very proud father, and I do my best to instill great values in them. Although, they’re only one and two years old, I’m teaching them everything that I know they need to learn right now, So that they’ll grow up to be sharp young men, like their dad.
You’ve got a lot of friends in high places. Even Michael Jackson was a friend of yours. Since his death, people have said, “Usher, you must assume the mantel, now”, as there are these similarities between you and him, especially when you’re on stage. What do you feel about this?
To bear the comparison to someone as great as Michael Jackson is the ultimate compliment. Of course, I’m definitely honoured, and I only hope to have career as long as his. It’s was very unfortunate not just for me, but for all of us when we lost MJ because he’s made such a meaningful contribution to music, entertainment, philanthropy and life. And to take that throne is nothing that I was ever aiming for.
There are some great clips of your performance with Michael Jackson and Chris Tucker on stage. What was it like working with him?
That was just an emotional moment. It was a moment that was not rehearsed. I was backstage and the organizer of the show – David Gas says, “You ready to make some history?” Since Michael Jackson’s thing was always about making history, and I’m like “What do you mean?” And he’s like, “I’m gonna take you to the stage and you’re gonna perform with Michael”. I said, “We didn’t rehearse!” He’s like “You just gotta get out there and just go. It’ll be fine.” And that’s entertainment! There was a dance break within the song, and he says “There’s gonna be a dance break. You go out there and you just have fun.” So I went out and I danced and I slid a little bit, Michael slid and then of course, Chris Tucker came out. It was an impromptu moment that turned out to be a piece of history. I’ve shared some very intimate moments with him just to get a little bit of his insight about entertainment. The one thing that he always said to me was “Be mindful of history. Always think about, be conscious of history. Don’t get caught up in just the moment. Understand that each moment is a piece of history, and you should approach it that way.” Of course, it’s not so happy or pleasant for the person who’s paying the bill. But definitely, you know, be mindful of the history that you’re making. I miss Michael.
You discovered new sensation Justin Bieber. It must feel great to be able to make somebody else’s dream come true...
Yeah, definitely. I was first introduced to Justin by my staff, who said, “You should go online and take a look at this kid, he’s incredible.” So, I saw him and arranged a meeting with his manager. I said this kid has definitely got what it takes to be something incredible and I’d really like to invest into his future. I was very mindful of my own story of getting into this business at a very young age. So I took him to LA Reed, who had signed me when I was 15 and we signed him to Island Def Jam... The rest has become history. We worked on an album, spent a lot of time together in Atlanta, Georgia. I look at him like a son, like a little brother. I felt like I could make a meaningful contribution to his career, and so far, it’s looking that way. I’m really happy.
In your latest album “Raymond vs Raymond”, what are you trying to say by its content and also the title?
The content is dictated by inspiration. We all have a sense of balance that we have to deal with as people, be it good and bad, be it right and wrong, whatever it may be. I’m a Libra, so this balance is very intense in me. So, the dichotomy of music entertainer and music person is what this album’s inspiration really was. The balance between my personal life and my entertainment is what this album was all about for me, or at least the creation of it, or that’s where I was in creating it.
In conversation with CNN’s “Talk Asia”, Usher talks about his discovery of teen sensation Justin Bieber. The interview will be aired on August 14 and 15, at 4.30pm and 1pm, respectively.
Today, you’re 31 years old, have sold 45 million albums and got five Grammy’s. When you were just a little Usher back in the day, going from talent show to talent show, trying to get somebody to give you your shot at stardom, is this how your pictured things turning out for yourself?
I remember standing in parking lots and meeting celebrities asking them to listen to me sing. Some of them passed me over, some of them gave me a shot and others lived to regret it. I definitely always had an idea of what I wanted to do, and knew as long as I could dedicate myself – energy, time and effort – the dream could come true. Having a team of people around me, like my mother and others who would support the growth of me... Growth of me as an artist makes me who I am today. So, I’m very happy with the results and there is so much that I have yet to do. This is only really the beginning of the story. Believe it or not, even some 40 million records later, it’s still the beginning.
When you cast your mind back to the early days, was it difficult trying to convince people that you had what it took?
Well, I was convinced. So I didn’t really need that confirmation from outside. It’s the beginning of the career that’s the hardest because you don’t get the awards and you have to work a little bit harder. I have had people in the business to help me find my way – LA Reed, Baby Face, Sean Puffy Combs at the time. I wanted to do things my way and eventually, began to incorporate what I wanted to talk about in my music, and it worked. So that was the beginning of it working, and me moving in the right direction. My albums – “8701” and “Confessions” were evolutions and explorations for me. The belief was really in me first, the fact that I felt like there was something that I had to offer as an entertainer and I wanted to do this.
Would you say you’re living your dream?
Swagado! I’m definitely living my dream to the fullest and am very happy that the Lord has blessed me the way that He has, to be a shining light in this place of positivity. This is an indication that if you simply believe in your dreams, you can make it. Hopefully, this will motivate children and adults all around the world. As I grow closer to my full destiny, hopefully you will stay tuned for because this is only the beginning.
Your mum was a single parent and she was also your manager for a long time. She’s not anymore. What’s your relationship like now, now that you’ve had that professional parting?
One of the most beautiful parts about life is evolution. The one thing that we know for sure is that change is inevitable. Though me and my mother have worked for many years together, we decided to sever our ties not because of any discrepancy, but growth. I’m actually really happy that now I’m able to have a closer relationship with my mother because it’s not all business. As I watch her with my children, it’s incredible... It’s almost as though she’s reliving it again. You’ve got two boys now. How has fatherhood impacted you?
It’s made me a better person, more conscious, more patient. I’m a very proud father, and I do my best to instill great values in them. Although, they’re only one and two years old, I’m teaching them everything that I know they need to learn right now, So that they’ll grow up to be sharp young men, like their dad.
You’ve got a lot of friends in high places. Even Michael Jackson was a friend of yours. Since his death, people have said, “Usher, you must assume the mantel, now”, as there are these similarities between you and him, especially when you’re on stage. What do you feel about this?
To bear the comparison to someone as great as Michael Jackson is the ultimate compliment. Of course, I’m definitely honoured, and I only hope to have career as long as his. It’s was very unfortunate not just for me, but for all of us when we lost MJ because he’s made such a meaningful contribution to music, entertainment, philanthropy and life. And to take that throne is nothing that I was ever aiming for.
There are some great clips of your performance with Michael Jackson and Chris Tucker on stage. What was it like working with him?
That was just an emotional moment. It was a moment that was not rehearsed. I was backstage and the organizer of the show – David Gas says, “You ready to make some history?” Since Michael Jackson’s thing was always about making history, and I’m like “What do you mean?” And he’s like, “I’m gonna take you to the stage and you’re gonna perform with Michael”. I said, “We didn’t rehearse!” He’s like “You just gotta get out there and just go. It’ll be fine.” And that’s entertainment! There was a dance break within the song, and he says “There’s gonna be a dance break. You go out there and you just have fun.” So I went out and I danced and I slid a little bit, Michael slid and then of course, Chris Tucker came out. It was an impromptu moment that turned out to be a piece of history. I’ve shared some very intimate moments with him just to get a little bit of his insight about entertainment. The one thing that he always said to me was “Be mindful of history. Always think about, be conscious of history. Don’t get caught up in just the moment. Understand that each moment is a piece of history, and you should approach it that way.” Of course, it’s not so happy or pleasant for the person who’s paying the bill. But definitely, you know, be mindful of the history that you’re making. I miss Michael.
You discovered new sensation Justin Bieber. It must feel great to be able to make somebody else’s dream come true...
Yeah, definitely. I was first introduced to Justin by my staff, who said, “You should go online and take a look at this kid, he’s incredible.” So, I saw him and arranged a meeting with his manager. I said this kid has definitely got what it takes to be something incredible and I’d really like to invest into his future. I was very mindful of my own story of getting into this business at a very young age. So I took him to LA Reed, who had signed me when I was 15 and we signed him to Island Def Jam... The rest has become history. We worked on an album, spent a lot of time together in Atlanta, Georgia. I look at him like a son, like a little brother. I felt like I could make a meaningful contribution to his career, and so far, it’s looking that way. I’m really happy.
In your latest album “Raymond vs Raymond”, what are you trying to say by its content and also the title?
The content is dictated by inspiration. We all have a sense of balance that we have to deal with as people, be it good and bad, be it right and wrong, whatever it may be. I’m a Libra, so this balance is very intense in me. So, the dichotomy of music entertainer and music person is what this album’s inspiration really was. The balance between my personal life and my entertainment is what this album was all about for me, or at least the creation of it, or that’s where I was in creating it.
.....Usher misses Michael just like we do....I remember when Michael was on stage with Usher during the 30 anniversary special...they had such fun together..
