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.