Usher took the stage in the UK at Radio One's Big Weekend where he performed some of the soon to be hits from his upcoming album "Here I Stand." Afterward the five-time Grammy Award winner spoke with BBC radio's Tim Westwood about his new album and how it is a reflection on the recent changes in his life. "I started a label... a lot has changed," Usher said.
Apparently, "Here I Stand," is a far cry from 2004's "Confessions". During his four-year hiatus Usher got married to his former stylist Tameka Foster, had a baby and performed in Chicago on Broadway. He also did collaborations with Mary on the track "Shake Down" while he and R. Kelly messed around with the "Same Girl." As said by the young crooner these experiences are enough to change a man. "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."
The track, "Before I Met You," speaks of his current place in life with the lyrics, "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." Meanwhile, fellow newlywed Jay-Z, makes an appearance on the track, "Best Things." Usher spoke about Jigga's performance on the Jermaine Dupri produced track saying, "Jay opens the record by saying 'seeds become plants, boys become men.' There you have it, that's it right there." Jay's wife and frequent collaborator, Beyonce, is also featured on the album's second single, "Love In This Club, Part II."
The album boasts an all-star roster of today's most popular producers including, Polow Da Don, will.i.am, Bryan-Michael Cox, Jazze Pha, The-Dream and R. Kelly. A license plate with the numbers "1126" graces the cover in a tribute to the day Usher's son was born. Courtesy of Jive Records, "Here I Stand" is scheduled to be release on May 30th.
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