While Diddy‘s inciting debate about if R&B is dead, some of its power players scoff at the notion – most recently including the likes of Jacquees, Chris Brown, and Usher (all of whom have been appointed the genre’s king by their respective fans).
The latter, who stands as one of the best-selling artists in history with over 100 million total records sold worldwide and nine Billboard Hot 100 hits (second only to Stevie Wonder among male R&B acts), hasn’t been shy about his dedication to the format over the years.
Said dedication acts as sturdy support for why the 43-year-old believes he should be named R&B’s reigning monarch.
Hear his case for the crown inside.
Shortly after announcing he had added 25 more shows to his hotly-selling Las Vegas residency (as we reported here), the GRAMMY winner hit the promo trail to share the news.
Among his stops was a phoned visit to SiriusXM’s ‘Radio Andy’ to chat with resident interviewer Bev Smith.
“You know that people call you the king of R&B. And from our conversation right now, I feel like you are ready to really own that title and to ascend to that throne. Are you willing to accept that, king of R&B?,” she quizzed the ‘Yeah!’ singer.
His response showed he was more than willing to do so.
“I mean, you call me that, I’ll definitely carry it,” he replied before praising his musical predecessors. “I’mma tilt my crown knowing that I’m standing on the shoulders of all of the icons of our time. It is Michael [Jackson] that I stand on the shoulders of. It is James Brown that I stand on the shoulders of. It is Ronald Isley I stand on the shoulders of. It is Luther Vandross, it is Barry White, it is Teddy Pendergrass, it is all of these incredible artists like Marvin Gaye that will never be forgotten as long as there’s a breath in my body to breathe.”
But despite also saluting the likes of Prince, Little Richard, and Rick James in his response, Ush made clear he feels that he is the last among those who are suited to carry the genre’s torch.
“When you hear my voice, you hear all of those people I just said,” he started before later sharing, “I’m carrying them. So if anything you want to give me a crown? I’m the last of my kind.”
All-in-all, Usher believes the weight of his catalog makes him worthy of the ‘king’ title.
“I’ve been working to the point where I do own that, and I do deserve it. I ain’t gonna ask for it no more because you’re gonna give it to me,” he said of his nearly 30-year career.
Usher is truly the last of his kind who sings live and performs at the same time. I’m still waiting on Bruno mars to step up. I believe Bruno is the only one from this generation who can carry R&b forward.
Bruno isn’t really R&B. His music until very RECENTLY was POP and was never played on Urban formats. He followed the same path as Justin Timberlake.
Usher been singing R&B since ‘93-94.
Dude was literally wearing Walmart and JC Penneys outfits while singing women was beautiful just the way they are. Then after the Uptown Funk era when he started getting R&B and hip-hop airplay he changed his entire look to shades and gold chains while singing women are bittcchhes with ugly assss friends lol SMDH
Yesss 😂
He did an entire 360 from his appearance to lingo simply because he sang an R&B song?? Was it that MF serious, lol
When Usher sang “Dj Got Us Falling In Love Again” …
He never did all that extra sh**.
Wear The Crown,usher Raymond 1V. There is no one more deserving than you.You yourself earned it.This is your season of Wealth,Blessings,Prosperity,Love and Happiness.Always put God FIRST and you shall remain successful. I salute you soldier,for you alone have won the war.Yessssss!Wear The Crown.
The FACTS are that NO OTHER male R&B artist in the past 30 years have sold more ACTUAL and PURE sales albums or songs than Usher. No other male R&B artist in the past 30 years have more number one songs than Usher. Everyone can have a opinion but the numbers and charts don’t lie, also when Usher sales and certifications finally gets updated the numbers will speak even louder.
This!
Between Billboard record and album sales. Stevie Wonder & Usher are the biggest R&B acts.
Cheer to our King of h e r p e and sweaty armpit 💅🏾💦 yea man, you are the BEST💋
Usher is a flop. CB is the real king of R&B…..
?????????
Confessions ALONE outsold Chris entire discography. Is it crack???
Some of them are ridiculous, lol
It’s like when deciding who the King Of R&B is, ppl don’t wanna acknowledge the Billboard record/albums sales.
In your dreams and then U woke up
Usher n Beyoncé are the last generation of superstars tbh
Beyoncé is a king?
Usher is the King Of Rnb That’s it that’s all!
Well I’m gonna say this the king of rnb is jail for 30 years I know people going around his name and that’s fine usher is great artist and entertainer of rnb but the man in jail has done it all for himself and everyone else