Usher, Mary J. Blige Say They Have No Interest in Doing #VERZUZ

Published: Thursday 17th Sep 2020 by Rashad

Almost two months after Chris Brown made headlines for declining an invite to battle Usher on the wildly popular #VERZUZ platform (click here to read that), the ‘Confessions’ crooner has similarly confessed he has no interest in participating in a hit-for-hit duel…with anybody.

His comments echo a previously made statement by his ‘Shake Down’ duet partner Mary J. Blige who also shook her head when quizzed on her desire to spar with a musical equivalent on the Instagram-hosted arena.

Details inside:

Hot on the promo trail for his new song ‘Bad Habits’ and a recently announced Vegas residency (as we reported here), the 8x GRAMMY winner was relayed his thoughts about the tune-for-tune showdown while running the gamut of a radio tour.

Though sure to express his appreciation for the cultural impact of the Swizz Beatz and Timbaland-created phenomenon, Usher maintained he didn’t think the opportunity was suited for him at this time.

See the interview below:

Interview Highlights

0:45 – Discusses using Poet’s name as middle name for his new baby
1:25 – Reveals he’s been doing the majority of Zoom calls pantless
1:55 – Discussed new song “Bad Habits”
7:30 – Discusses his upcoming Las Vegas residency
12:25 – Discusses “I Cry” and if his children were the inspiration for it
16:00 – Back to school learning with his sons
18:00 – Asked about doing a Verzuz

[source: WPGC 95.5 FM]

In a separate chat, Ush played a game with POWER 106 to engage in a solo “VERZUZ” – comparing his hits from different eras to each other.

Starting at the 20:13 mark, look below to see his favorite songs from his prized discography.

*****

Elsewhere, Blige – while hot on the promo trail for her new hit series ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ – took to BRAVO’s ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen’ (September 8).

While reflecting on the Brandy and Monica #VERZUZ battle (which broke ratings records when it aired August 31), the Queen of Hip Hop Soul praised the event but expressly denied interest in participating herself.

See what she said in the clip above.

[photo source: Billy Farell for BFA & Instagram]

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  1. Gworl Bye September 17, 2020

    I don’t blame them. It’s stupid anyway, just sitting around playing songs. Anyone can do that in their own house.

  2. Rashad September 17, 2020

    Mary has a terrible attitude. She could learn humility from Auntie Patti, Auntie Gladys and Auntie Dionne.

    • Dreamer September 17, 2020

      Well Mary’s “bad attitude” has opened a lot of doors for her nearly 30 years later. Mary is no nonsense but still highly professional. I’ve never heard anyone complain about working with her. You’d be surprised at how nasty these so called “nice” celebs are behind closed doors and I’ll keep it at that…

    • TORi September 17, 2020

      Mary is straight forward, she doesn’t have a bad attitude. Mary is very sweet and humble but she doesn’t need to be all the time, especially in this industry.

    • Shayla Queen 👑 September 17, 2020

      Shut up! Mary is the sweetest and she’s the f****** QUEEN. Put some respect on her name!

    • Rhonda With Da Good Wig September 17, 2020

      I used to love her but SHE IS HAVING A BAD ATTITUDE, for years now…
      I think she become blind with fame, we have several Legends some gone that never had attitudes like these…Roberta Flack, Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan, Gloria Gaynor…just to mention a few.
      She isn’t a young singer anymore and she should think some doors may close on later years of her career…

      • IKNOWTHETRUTH September 17, 2020

        LOL SHE IS IN THE LATER YEARS OF HER CAREER R U ZUMB. SHES A NEW YORKER SHE SAID WHAT SHE SAID A QUEEN DOESNT NEED TO COMPETE. SHE HAS 2 HIT TV SHOWS RITE NOW

  3. Unnatural September 17, 2020

    Because blk ppl dont know how to act. They get nasty and start comparing. Bashing one artist over the other. Its gotten so competitive so o dont blame them. Its stupid. Its started out fun but its become a negativity fest. They shld just stop.

    • Shayla Queen 👑 September 17, 2020

      Because they have higher testosterone levels and a lower IQ. People get mad all they want but science is science.

    • Shayla Queen 👑 September 17, 2020

      Look at someone like Nene Leakes and try tell me that she’s not the perfect example of too much testosterone and a lower intelligence.

  4. J September 17, 2020

    They would be a cute battle!

  5. Pat September 17, 2020

    They’ll probably have a hard time getting anybody with bigger brands than them to do this

  6. PB September 17, 2020

    Both of their next releases will flop so they should rethink. With respect 🙂

    • DC September 17, 2020

      Mary has eight multi platinum albums FYI she don’t give af bout sales at this point 👋🏽

  7. Musiqlovah September 17, 2020

    That Cohen dude stay on some shady drama instigating mess. He likes asking these artist difficult question about their peers, of which could put them in hot water. I am a firm believer that his interview with Patti Labelle is what led to the Aretha Franklin rift.

  8. Hated September 18, 2020

    It would’ve been cool to see usher battle Justin Timberlake but there’s other people we can see if they don’t want to battle. Let’s have Ashanti and Keyshia Cole.

  9. AngelKeys September 18, 2020

    Usher Vs Mary J?? What a stupid pairing! It should be
    Usher Vs Justin Timberlake. (No Nsync songs allowed). Mary J vs Joe would have been a better pairing.

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