Usher is back. At least it seems as so.
The R&B crooner appears to have taken a soft launch approach to the release of two new singles ‘No Limit’ and ‘Crash.’
For, his promotion of both songs has been noticeably scant and the video for one (Limit) has yet to launch.
Nonetheless, the 37-year-old took to the stage on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ this week to perform.
‘Crash’ was his pick on this occasion. Watch Mr Raymond in action below…
Awesome performance!
His vocal (and control of) were oh so on-point and the moody mise en scène added to the arresting nature of the showing.
All we need now if for Ush to stop trying to get his feet wet and pull the trigger on his comeback campaign. Time waits for no one.
???????❤️??
Vocally, he’s underrated. Artistically, he seems so lost nowadays. Po’Ersha. I wish him the best, he was my first celebrity male crush.
He’s underrated vocally because
1) He’s recognised more for his performer/dance ability
2) He chooses to release trash like No Limit that hide his vocal ability.
His voice has improved with age though. I’ve seen him live and was shocked as to what he can do with it.
I don’t think “No limit” hides anything, he still showcases vocals more often than not within the majority of his singles. Looking 4 Myself was highly acclaimed for Usher’s vocals, yet most of his fans preceived it as a souless EDM package.
Problem is, his R&B efforts get little exposure due to low commercial performance, as opposed to his Pop/EDM music which basically recognised more. R&B fans need to support R&B.
I don’t get the assertion that he’s “lost” either. Releasing singles that appeal to different audience is a deliberate choice. It’s to balance their appeal. Again, something Usher wouldn’t really need to resort to if his “R&B” fans actually bought his R&B music in recent years.
RIP usher, he fell off.Stephy, his voice isn’t underrated it’s mediocre.
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[12] 20
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[13] 43
France (SNEP)[14] 84
New Zealand Heatseekers (Recorded Music NZ)[15] 6
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[16] 44
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[17] 94
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[18] 20
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[19] 3
🙁 I still have faith tho. Hopefully, he’ll resurrect outta that grave lol … Mariah did it, let’s see if Usher can too
I’m not dragging him.He should be up there slaying with Justin Timberfake and Justin Bieber.
I think Usher is still an icon/legend
Confessions>>>>>>>>>>>>>JT
JT flop is coming. Justin Bieber is a different generation, to compare him to Usher is dumb.
Mark 111 I’m not comparing Usher and Justin Bieber.JT and JB are the only two male singers slaying the charts today.Drake is doing well but he is a singing rapper.Crash should be in the top 10.
The Justins are doing pop songs, not even the same genre. I don’t think you guys understand levels of artistry. Don’t get me wrong, Usher is chasing chart success, instead of doing what Beyonce and Rihanna doing, craving a new Lane and out of the box. Like JohnDenial said, Usher is afraid to grow up. Something about artist entering their 40s is when they have a image crisis.
I get what you’re saying but Usher’s genre is R&B/Pop. He experiments with POP and he is bigger than the two.Crash is Pop, why isn’t it charting? I don’t think it’s the music, it’s the artist.
Firstly, if ur saying Usher’s vocals on this particular record is mediocre then i agree…but i hope ur not talking from a general point of view..because he is unequivocally underrated.
Secondly, it’s not the artist..it’s his audience. Most of Usher’s fans have been prone to critisising his diversity, to the point where they’v actually not acknowledged when he’s actually done well. Of his peers, he’s the least accepted for versatility. Beyonce (whose considered a standard for him at times) is also diverse, and her fans support her.
Most Usher fans just seem to be disengaged. I read a blog posted a week ago someone complaining about Usher making EDM…until i actually pointed out that it was 4 years ago since he did so. They are completly oblivious to his R&B efforts in recent times. “Climax” as his best Pop/R&B fusion that merges old and new fans – and it didn’t even crack the top #15. That’s already an indication that something’s wrong. Basically, ppl have generalised 2/3 of his Pop/EDM attemps on his whole music/albums, so now that perception overshadows no matter whatever qualities he showcases like “Good Kisser”/”She Came To Give It To You”. Doesn’t hold the masses attention. He can’t keep releasing flop R&B singles – R&B fans aren’t supportive.
Mediocre? Tripping. Name any contemporary male singer who has a better vocal range.
Crash Is flopping
‘Crash’ is awesome. It has feeling. It has soul. I’d have liked to see it do better on charts – for his sake – but, as long as he still keeps making music, I’m good. Longevity… You’ve had it. Keep doing your ‘thang’, Ush’.
Usher lacks artistry in my opinion. He´s very talented and didn´t have a problem while the music he´s better at was dominating the charts. And he deserved it (unlike most people in their 20s now, he can sing and dance). But tehre are only a few artists that transcend decades and genres, very few, and Usher is not one of them. In a way you can understand what I´m saying: Mariah Carey at almost 50 years old has a bigger chance at having a huge hit and successful era with the right product and promo than Usher (from now on). I don´t think Usher will see BIG success again. Like I said, this is no shade cause he´s talented and has already had a very successful career.
Usher been out since 1993. Yo clinging the past @ss should have known that.
AND? LOL
I can’t stand John but I agree with everything.I would like to add that Usher lacks creativity and he’s not unique enough for me.He has good bops made for the charts.My Way is his best work in my opinion.I think Ginuwine was more creative and seriously underrated. He was experimenting with Timberland music in the 90s. “Pony” was more unique than any Usher hit.Rkelly was on another level.”Trapped in the Closet” might have been corny to some but it was creative and his “Down Low” days was legendary. Usher lacks creativity.
Trapped in The Closet is a blue print for Lemonade, tbh…
I think Climax would give Pony a good run for it’s money imo.
As much as I want him to win, I just don’t see it happening.The two Justinas have replaced him on the charts. The problem with Usher is he’s too predictable. His loyal fans have abandoned him, people moved on.
Oh,
Wrong songs. Usher is almost 40, yet still trying to cater to the Chris Brown and Justin Bieber audience. Take the mature rout, the irony is that this is the time a Here I Stand type album is needed. Minus the cheesy songs on it, the the direction that album tried to take was way too early. It’s hard for these r&b males to accept maturity, he should be making Maxwell type songs now. You’re 23 years in the game, at like it.
.
Say it!!! Here I Stand is the sort of album people are literally the type of album people begging for him to release. However, they sure were ghost in 2008 when it initially came out and disregarded it because of his choice of wife. Give Leon Bridges’ album to Usher and he’ll slay, tbh.
If Usher releasedan album on the line of Here I Am or Maxwell new album, hell even similar to Tyrese album, EVERY ONE IN THIS COMMENT SECTION WOULD PURPOSELY STREAM EVERY SONG YET CALL HIM A FLOP AND TELL HIM TO WORK ON HIS NEXT PROJECT. Ppl are always begging for new R&b albums and go missing opening week I’ll never understand. Usher can make flops and cater to younger crowds if he wants, he has had a career ppl dream about. He’s one of the few R&b singers to sell 1.1 mill opening week and have a diamond certified album. Anything he do at this point is just because, if he wants to chase charts so what, Rihanna, both Justin’s, Chris, Trey, everybodyis trying to chase charts in this streaming market.
The irnoy is that “Good Kisser” and “She Came To Give It To You” ft Nicki Minaj already clearly strived for music that was reflective of his age…when they peak at #65 and #89, it only goes to show that its the R&B fans who aren’t holding up on their part. Im certain if those were Bruno Mars/Justin Timberlake singles, they would have been successful. I don’t blame him.
He definitely needs to evolve. I can hear him working with Majid Jordan.
This is a pretty cool track, but it’s not going to be a hit in today’s market. Usher is having to answer the same question as Mariah Carey — what does a record for me sound like in this market and at this point in my career, after more than 20 years in the business? When I saw Usher trying to go trap at the BET Awards, I knew he was struggling.
Usher will be just fine. He just needs to reconnect with the general public and his target audience with music like he did with his “Confessions” era. The sooner he stops chasing the young music listeners, the better the material he releases will be.
I disagree. Even if Usher was to release Confessions R&B type (God forbid because its outdated) it still won’t be a success. If u mean create a new R&B sounds that indicates he’s still Usher….that also won’t be a success, purley because the ppl who devouted Usher are nowhere to be found, at least in commercial numbers.
Climax should have done so and it didn’t. His R&B fans aren’t alltogther connected, they’re disengaged. Releasing “Good Kisser” & “She Came To Give It To You” ft.Nicki Minaj didn’t do help either. They haven’t backed him since getting married.
Y’all chill out I understand Crash is flopping but No Limit is the obvious hit . It’s actually climbing the charts and its about to hit top 40. In my opinion he should’ve performed No Limit on the Tonight Show since that’s the obvious song the GP is here for . But cmon y’all Usher has a wayyyyyyyy bigger chance of having a comeback then Mariah. 1st of all Usher can still book big stages and still has access to perform on huge promo platforms like IHeartRadio Festival,VMAs, Billboard Awards etc. he just needs to slay those performances and change his look also. Besides Chris Brown there’s no other black male R&B act that can actually get those type of platforms but Usher. Y’all too quick to count people out
At this point Usher needs to re-evaluate himself as an artist. I suggest he look at his prime albums 93 debut – Confessions 04 and make a wise decision on the album dealing with maturity, sensual, humanity, love, heartbreak and positivity felt lyrics that’ll hit the heart and souls of his audience.
His prime was NOT that 1993 mess. Usher didn’t become USHER until, My Way… His prime was from 1997 – 2004.
I can’t help but notice the general severity of ignorance in these comments, anyone can have a view, but the reasons of his situation isn’t too complex.
Usher’s R&B work goes astray because his R&B fans abondond him in retail. There is no support – that is what resulted in Usher doing songs like “No limit”.
“No limit” doesn’t signify Usher’s overall sound, its just to bring in hip-hop/trap audiences. It’s not permenant, hence why “Crash” is completly different.
Usher doesn’t lack artistry in my opinion at all, of all his entertaining peers : Genuine, Sisqo, JT, Chris Briwn…his sound is practically more melodic than all of them and has a better dance to ballad ratio. Songs that are also unmatched as far as vocal substance like Moving Mountains, Climax, There Goes My Baby and the uptempos like “Yeah”! who i can’t find an equivalent in either of their discogs. He’s successful with a wide range of producers. Same case for the videography.
The only reason Usher’s struggles are being compared to Mariah Carey’s (which shouldn’t happen) is due to the link of his artistry to his personal life. Stale narratives. The focus was always narrowed down to inner context rather than his actual qualities. Thats why getting married and telling fans to stop “talking” about his personal life caused a disconnection & effected him professionally. It was a PR didaster he never recovered from.
Usher has definitely evolved lets not be dumb . BUT after R vs. R I think is when he lost it a little bit. Usher just needs to release a strong but current R&B with a little trap influence to cater to the younger audience because those are the ones buying the music. I really hope with this album he gets it right this time. Just my opinion
A strong but current Rnb with a little trap is exactly what “No Limit” is. Have you not listened to it?
I love the performance. The slow motion was key to me liking it.
Wow
All the best Usher. You really have been trying for some years to get back on top.
Just not sure why its’ not happening.
YES he is vocally underrated and is one of the best R&B vocalists currently out.
Matter of fact…he was my go to vocal when singing growing up.
He has a great voice.
usher will keep on struggling until he brings jpat in the scene coz that lady knows how to present usher but i think its his destiny to taste some failure. These songs r not gonna work till he releases some club banger coz nowadays ppl just want to be part of a hype or movement and the biggest example is drakes one dance & jts cant stop the feeling (totally b******* single).For me drake hotline bling is more dominant than one dance yet it didnt chart for 9 weeks. Usher is making all the wrong moves right now just to get to the top.Good Kisser is a worthy hit but the timing to release that single was wrong and she came to give it to you flopped coz its a mimmic of blurred lines. Ppl today r craving for something new and unique which usher isnt offering. He is following the lane instead of creating it. Usher should work with Max Martin, Dr.Luke,Diplo, Skrillex,Timbaland,Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis,Jermaine Dupri,Stargate, Andre Vidal etc.
What? Usher has done nothing but try and be the forefront of everything that’s in mainstream music already. It’s a little contradictory to want him to work with current producers that everybody’s using, yet be distinctive at the same time. He has Diplo for “Climax” (wasn’t good enough on the mainstream), and Max Martin for “Scream” which was a top 10. He always has Jimmy Jam & Tyler Lewis for his album R&B tracks as well as Dupri etc Good Kisser should have been a hit, it combined elements of the dance wave, had a good balance of sounding both classical, yet contemporary, lyrically up to par, was soulful and involved back-up vocalists…personally, the only thing missing is the R&B fans to actually acknowledge the work.
That forefront time is over for him now. Now he is following the youngsters lane his song lyrics, his style he is completely lost. His performances are also not upto the mark and these current producers r the hit machine right now thats why every artist want to work with them. Why would JT want to work with Max Martin? simply bcoz jt really liked the weeknd can’t feel my face and thats why cant stop the feeling s*** came out all he wants is to b like MJ thats it.Jt getting the decade award is totally unfair it should be usher instead. Usher is better than any other male artist out there man there was a time when he really had his own unique style but now he is totally different i dont even know what to call him now that trap s*** no limit aint usher sry.