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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > September > 03 > Entry
Usher In Intimate Settings — A Good Thing?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In television, it’s referred to as “jumping the shark”.
But in music — more specifically, with one of contemporary music’s superstars — what to make of this? Atlanta’s R&B multimillion-seller Usher is reportedly planning a 15-city tour in “intimate” venues.
(Read about it HERE ).
Now when fellow arena-packing artist Justin Timberlake made such a run (performing here at the Tabernacle, before later doing Philips and Gwinnett Arenas) it was an incredible, up-close appearance; as it was very band and live-music-oriented. The name “Usher”, however, is almost synonymous with “major production”.
He explains to the Associated Press that “There’s only a few artists that can pull that off. I feel like I’ve had such a connection with my audience. This album, I felt like, was definitely the type of one that was more intimate. So what better way to get up close and personal than to make it all women?”
But with the relatively lackluster acceptance of his current CD, “Here I Stand” - currently No. 38 on the pop charts, and not certified platinum after 13 weeks, while rapper Lil Wayne is at two million in 11 weeks, and the “Mama Mia!” soundtrack is at a million in 7 — do you think he could still fill arenas? Believe this is a smart move to reenergize interest in that album? Will you be watching tomorrow when he (and country pin-up Keith Urban and Brit-pop sensation Natasha Bedingfield) perform at the National Football League’s kickoff concert?
Comments
By gloria
September 3, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Yes, I love Keith Urban!!
By dont bite me bro
September 3, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Mary J fights dogs.
By LALA
September 3, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
WHO CARES ABOUT USHER!!!!!
By Rich
September 3, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
Sorry Mark. The concert will be just for ladies. You seem kind of hurt just like you were hurt about Young Jeezy. I don’t think either one of these brothers would go for you and your ilk. Maybe in the next life you will be the woman you want to be.
By Rich
September 3, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Also until the AJC stops giving a platform for these racist to vent, I think it and it’s advertisers should not be purchased.
By DONE
September 3, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
His last album was a total snoozer. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
By dan steele
September 3, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
It would be tough for Usher to fill arenas with just ladies. Now Teddy Pendergrass. Back in the day his concerts were women only and he had no trouble selling out the arenas.
By Jewels
September 3, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
I was an Usher fan. But the last few years of him have just been too much. The marriage, the new album, the comments he has made. Just too much. He thinks he is the only black man to stand up and take care of a child. I guess his wife’s ex-husband didn’t take care of his kids. His music made you feel good. Now it doesn’t make you feel anything. His last few shows on tv he looks old and out of shape and doesn’t know how to lip sing to any of the songs. So I will skip the show!!!
By Blkshepherd
September 3, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Who the hell cares about Usher? He is sooo 3yrs ago or more. I wouldnt have attended if it was a both gender concert. And as for the ladies who do go, when the concert is over your purse will empty..you will be all hot and bothered and he will go home to his wife, son, and stepchildren and he will not even give a second thought about you. I could understand if dude was not married and single..then atleast you have a shread of hope. But he is MARRIED duhhh..supposely quite in love with his wife which he aint going to leave for you..but he will glady Spend your hard earned cash on his wife and family and not give you a second thought. All of those celebs aint thinking about anyone of us. I adore Love worship Diana Ross(who dont even know I exist and probably would ignore me in the crowd even if we had eye to eye contact and stood 3 feet in front of me..same with Beyonce..love her..she has Jay Z, a millionare many times over..why would she even give me the time of day..LOL>.go right ahead and make Usher even richer..after all..its Your money. LoL..Besides with all the constant new and upcoming artists which appear every six months..does Usher even matter anymnore..Can we say Usher is Yesterday? he is off the market ladies! get a grip.
By Shawn
September 3, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Jewels, wow!
By Reality Rick
September 3, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Lets be honest here, folks: He’s a victim of COLORISM! Period.
When Chris Brown, who’s fair-skinned, and not to mention younger, came on the scene, Usher was done!
Black Entertainment is dominated by half-white, high-yellow, super-light, entertainers. Don’t believe me? Lets take a look: Mariah, Beyonce, Keischa Cole, Rihanna, Chris Brown - these six probably account for 1/2 of the radio play in urban markets!
Usher, brother, I am sorry to the barrier of bad news: Light is in!
By Pro Hater
September 3, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Hopefully this is a reality check for Mr. Raymond. Something needed to happen to bring down that massive ego a couple notches. I wish him the best of luck, but he needs to eat some humble pie.
By Jessie
September 3, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
I like Usher and think he’s got great talent. I wish him well unlike Mark. Mark uses the AJC blogs as his own personal hate forum. One day,in person I hope he mouths off to the wrong indivdual and get knocked into oblivion.
By Jewels
September 3, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Chris Brown last album sucker as well. Get a grip color has nothing to do with it. It’s about whos how and whos not. And he is just not.
By Kelly
September 3, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Ladies only event? He may be able to pull it off.
Its unfortunate that folks just abandoned him because he changed his lifestyle. He couldda married someone better with less baggage too. He done messed up marry “Tameka”…she had 3 kids and aint even cute..lawrd. I wish him the best.
By April
September 3, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
I’ll be watching the NFL kickoff. Keith Urban is fantastic.
By KD
September 3, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
From the perspective of ALL the women that I have spoke with, his marriage has taken away quite a bit of his luster.
By KD
September 3, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
From the perspective of ALL the women that I have spoke with, his marriage has taken away quite of bit of his luster.
By Ron
September 3, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Just another THUG!!!
By Pro Hater
September 3, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
That’s hilarious! Usher Raymond IV a thug??? Sorry Ron, but there is nothing thuggish about Usher. Oh, I forgot, this is America where Black male = thug.
By JOHNNY CUMMINGS
September 3, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
I PERSONALLY LOVE USHER- HOW ABOUT ONE FOR THE MEN!
By Kayla
September 3, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
Well he lost my money when he made it a ladies only event. That was something I would have enjoyed with my man. Not my girls. Mary J with the girls, yes. Usher with the girls, no. He’s not that kind of artist
By MC
September 3, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
I have purchased every Usher CD except this newest one.
When his first single came out about causal sex in a club, I decided to not to buy it. I don’t think I missed anything.
By MC
September 3, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
I have purchased every Usher CD except this newest one.
When his first single came out about causal sex in a club, I decided to not to buy it. I don’t think I missed anything.
By Rufus
September 3, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Usher is not all that. He is a cool buy and all but he is no romeo. Just being real.
By jbean3
September 3, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
Never been impressed by Usher - not a fan. And his marriage made him even less impressive, esp when he was on the cover of Ebony(?) - he did not have on a wedding band. Is he not proud of his wife, esp since she bore him a son. Will not even consider buying tickets to his so called “intimate” tour.
By sweetga
September 3, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
I agree its his attitude that has me not listening to him anymore. I heard the Q100 interview a couple of years ago and remember thinking how annoying he was-throwing a temper tantrum over something stupid. Then he does that interview where he claims how hard it is to stay faithful to his wife! I mean, what kind of fool sells songs about love and devotion and then whines about how hard married life is? Forget him. Chris Brown and Ne-yo are hotter anyway.
By Ex Usher Fan
September 3, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
I kinda feel sorry for the brotha, his best days are behind him and he alienated quite a few of his fans, his marriage is hurting his popularity, his core fans have moved on and I don’t see him capturing any new fans anytime soon! I don’t see the intimate setting helping at all, most women don’t want to be in an intimate setting with a married father of three!!!!!
By LMAO at "Reality Rick"
September 3, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
Rick Rick Rick, LOLOLOLOLOL, I guess, AKON, T-Pain, Jeezy, Ne-YO, LIL-Wayne, Rick Ross, etc…… couldn’t a person make the same claim that these 6 account for the other 1/2 of all radio play in Urban Markets? Usher released a F’d up album and didn’t have his mother on the project, you and I both know that black folks are riding with anyone that put’s anything before Mama!
By Lauren
September 3, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Good point Ex Usher Fan. Why would any self respecting woman want to be in an “intimate” setting with a married man? Sounds like he is disrespecting not only his fans but his wife also.
By Not Really Feelin' Him
September 3, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
I agree with 95% of the posts. Usher is old news. There were one or two “cute” songs on the latest album. Maybe he should start catering to the Kiss 104.1 crowd to boost up his sales.
By nic
September 3, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
Nobody is checking for Usher anymore. At one point and time, I did, however I find his recent comments about the media blasting him and his wife, more specifically, very annoying. Not to mention his lack luster cd. A couple of good songs but not worth buying, and def not worth paying $60 for a concert ticket.
By Jay
September 4, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
I think when he fired his mother and married it was a bad move. He lost focus and his music showed lack of focus and preperation.R/b unlike rap is a unselfish venue. It’s not about you. It’s about your audience. You have to connect with them and sing for them. Rap is a more selfish music. It’s about me and my wealth. You can’t loose site of people and there everday life when you sing r/b. People still need love songs. Usher with his beatiful and youthful voice was good for black america. He fell off because people want to have there fantasy of you when you are in the lime light. When you hit them with reality, like all the poor decisions you make in relationships, you burst there bubble. In process you loose fans.A superstar marrying a girl with three kids and a questionable background is not a good look. In Africa a king had his choice of the best qaulity women in the village or city for that matter. It was his reward for being king. The women could not have any baggage. Thats just how it is. Thats our culture. You are bigger than life. You have to play the role. A great women can always improve the image of the most damadged man. But it do not work the opposite way. You can’t make a w** a house wife.Thats how the game is played.
By M Etola
September 4, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this
Usher, let it go. Take care of all them kids and hit the gym….I saw those fat pics on mediatakeout.
By camilla
September 4, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Usher is neither Teddy Pendergrass nor Tom Jones. He is a clever business man who married a dragon. Good luck with his Ladies Only tour, I hope he does not sink his own ship with this.
By Jacque
September 4, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
I’ve purchased every Usher CD every made and every concert he’s done here in Atlanta. I am a HUGE fan, but I was so incredibly disappointed upon hearing this album. I couldn’t bring myself to buy it and I doubt I’ll attend the concert too. I can’t blame him for growing up, but I think his music’s content this time around really alienated his fans. Most of his fans are single women. Why would they want to hear about his marriage and raising kids? We can’t relate. Perhaps he should just take this beating like a man, lay low and just start working on a CD sounding like his old self.
By Usher is the Worst
September 4, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Usher is wack…. end of story Jay, I agree but what’s a w**???
By gagirl
September 4, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
^^^^LOL Yeah, what is a w**??? Look folks, what single woman actually stops to ponder if the artist she’s going to see in concert is married or not?? That’s so stupid and irrelevant. No one said anything when Prince and Brian McKnight performed in ‘intimate’ venues while married. The point here is that Usher SUCKS and no one is checking for him anymore. He needed another ‘Yeah’ when he came back out but instead he put out some crap about making love in the club. WTF?!??! His ego got the best of him and he now needs to go sit down and try and keep his shaky marriage together. Usher, note to self: listen to your mother!!!!!
By gagirl
September 4, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
^^^^LOL Yeah, what is a w**??? Look folks, what single woman actually stops to ponder if the artist she’s going to see in concert is married or not?? That’s so stupid and irrelevant. No one said anything when Prince and Brian McKnight performed in ‘intimate’ venues while married. The point here is that Usher SUCKS and no one is checking for him anymore. He needed another ‘Yeah’ when he came back out but instead he put out some crap about making love in the club. WTF?!??! His ego got the best of him and he now needs to go sit down and try and keep his shaky marriage together. Usher, note to self: listen to your mother!!!!!
By rukidding
September 4, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Maneka has ruined it for him. He should hang it-up or get rid of the tranny that he married.
By Wha???
September 4, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Why are people deciding whether to attend his intimate concert based on his marital status? Intimate setting doesn’t mean he’ll sleep with you. It just means small!! The venue will have a lower capacity!! Wow!!!
Now, I’ve loved Usher from day one until recently. This whole scandalous marriage to Tameka and dumping his mother makes him less appealing. I bought his most recent CD but I hated it. I’ve only listened to it three times. He just needs to regroup and make an album similar to Confessions. This last one was horrible!
By VOLUNTEER
September 4, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Hang it up, Ursh. Concentrate on your family and leave the crooning to the likes of Chris Brown and Neyo, as they’ve done in your absence. God those of us who love real music.
By Michael
September 4, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Very approiate title. With all the STD’s in the African American community. The title one night stand for ladies, is just what the african american community need. People please wake up, you are so destroying culture. I really hope usher stop allowing marketing to prostitute his true talent. This is event is so silly and shameful. It does not edify community, but destroys it.
By EX-Usher FAn
September 4, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
Umm, it’s an intimate “Ladies Only” tour! I can see if it were an intimate venue that couples could enjoy as well, but when you throw the “ladies” only there is a distinction in my opinion of married artist versus a single artist! Neither Prince nor Mcknight were “ladies only”!