This week’s From The Vault pick features two R&B titans who joined forces for what would become one of 2004’s biggest releases. Of course, we’re talking Usher and Alicia Keys’ ‘My Boo’.
After the tremendous success of their albums, the Diamond-selling ‘Confessions’ and the Multi-Platinum ‘The Diary Of Alicia Keys’ – Ush and AK united to record the Jermaine Dupri produced track; a decision that would prove a wise one as it gave them their 7th and 2nd #1 on Billboard Hot 100 respectively.
In addition to its 6 weeks reign atop of the said chart – and a #36 ranking on the Decade-End tally – ‘My Boo’ reached the fifth spot of the UK charts and was nominated for two Grammys, winning one and losing the other… to none other than Alicia Keys and her signature hit ‘If I Ain’t Got You’.
The Chris Robinson directed visual complimenting the song’s lyrics saw the two singers reminiscing on the love that once was, wandering the empty streets of New-York and eventually meeting in Times Square.
Eight years later, Usher and Alicia are still slaying the charts and blazing stages worldwide. Sure, neither may shift the type of units they once did (see: recession, rise of illegal downloading, and the general roller-coaster that is a “career”) . However, they remain major industry figures and have cultivated success narratives that serve as both inspirations to both newcomers as well as their chart rivals. Indeed, while some of the acts outselling both at present are popular, these two are also respected – a particularly important difference.
Talents like those never cease to amaze, so we’re confident these two have a few more successful decades in music ahead of them.
