On one side, there is Usher the megastar -- an artist whose fleet feet, creamy croon and enviable abs have earned him 45 million in worldwide record sales and the nagging title of heir to Michael Jackson.
Then there is Usher Raymond, the 32-year-old dad to toddler sons Usher Raymond V and Naviyd Ely Raymond who retreats to his home in Alpharetta and serves as a member on the Woodruff Arts Board when not touring the world.
Usher, despite his Dallas birthright, is so associated with Atlanta that most assume he is a native.
He attended North Springs Charter School of Arts and Sciences when it was simply North Springs High School, signed with Atlanta-based LaFace Records as a teen and spent most of his pre-superstar days in Sandy Springs.
Now, the accolades rarely stop.
His latest albums, “Raymond v. Raymond” and its companion, “Versus,” signaled his return to the dance floor with “OMG” (his ninth No. 1 hit in the U.S.) and “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love,” which he performed to exhilarating effect on the recent American Music Awards, where he also picked up a new pair of trophies.
His recently launched OMG Tour -- which plays Philips Arena on Sunday -- is frequently described in reviews as “eye-popping” and a “spectacle.”
Even Glamour magazine is part of the praise train, naming Usher one of the 50 sexiest men alive (“I like being one of the 50, but I’m working on No. 1,” he said with a charmingly cocky laugh).
And let’s not forget that he’s also responsible for bringing Justin Bieber to the masses.
After a couple of years of personal disruption -- the death of his father, as well as the divorce from Tameka Foster, the mother of his sons -- Usher is back on the field and last week talked with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about his tour, his family and that undiminished physique.
Q: Would you say this tour is your most elaborate production?
A: This one tops the "Confessions" tour. It’s obviously very challenging. There are jokes about how many times I change clothes on stage, but it’s the change of a jacket. I don’t change that much! But it’s much more a state-of-the-art show. Energy-wise, I put in at least as much as the past. It’s not really harder; it’s a different experience, and I have to pace myself a little more. I leave everything of myself on the stage.
Q: We’ve seen those photos of you onstage without some of your clothing. What kind of workout regimen are you on?
A: I’ve not been working out as much because I deplete myself of everything on stage. But I try to eat healthy. The after-parties don’t make it easier, but it makes it worth the work the next day. I work with a soft tissue specialist that keeps my body in tune. I have to function as though I’m an athlete -- that would be parallel in terms of the energy I put into performances, like what a football player does. When I do have a chance to hit the gym, I work with a lot of resistance bands.
Q: This is a pretty extensive world tour. Will you take your sons with you?
A: They come out with me occasionally. It’s fun because they get a chance to be with their dad and I get a chance to relax and enjoy them at the same time. On the road, it’s standard procedure -- the boys have their own room with their Legos and trucks, and I’ll come in to read with them. We have family across the country, so there is usually a cousin or aunt around.
Q: How has fatherhood changed you? Do you feel like you have to be in super-protective mode every time you go out?
A: Privately, they don’t have to deal with the pressures of being celebrity kids because of their age. For the most part, they can still go out with the nanny, and we’ll go out together to the zoo and amusement parks. They’ve been able to travel all over the States, and they might come with me to Australia. Things they would only see in books they can experience firsthand, like the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty ... I feel very fortunate to have my kids get cultured.
Q: What is your involvement on the Woodruff Arts Board?
A: To be on the board is to be a representative of the arts in Atlanta. It was a fortunate opportunity given to me to be part of such a selected board of individuals. I just wanted to be part of something major. Arts by far are one of the most important aspects of our lives and how we express our emotions. I wanted to be part of such a strategic organization and make sure the youth understand the importance of art. We’re still working on things -- we have a lot of plans for Midtown, and there’s definitely a lot to look forward to.
Q: You’ve had a couple of tumultuous years -- do you feel as if you’ve gotten your footing back?
A: Let me ask you -- does it look like I lost my footing [laughs]? Some people might consider what I’ve experienced rough but others say, [stuff] happens. I never look at anything as bad -- they’re just experiences. I wouldn’t say they were tumultuous. There are plenty of people who have truly tumultuous lives. Is this a resurgence in a way? Yes, I would accept that, but I wouldn’t call it a comeback. After doing something for as long as I have, you wouldn’t expect every moment to be a high point.
Q: What is your involvement in Justin Bieber’s career at this point? Do you consider yourself his mentor?
A: Absolutely -- his mentor, a friend, someone who has had a great deal of experience in the industry. I’m only hoping to pass what I’ve learned back to him. I try to act as a realistic balance for him. There are so many things that will come and go, but true friendship will never die.
Q: Obviously you knew he was talented when you signed him, but did you ever expect this kind of mania?
A: We had high hopes for the best, and that’s what happened.
Concert preview
Usher with Trey Songz
7 p.m. Sunday. $36.55-$143.25. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
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