Usher Claims He's Going To "Wake Up R&B"

BYGabriel Bras Nevares3.7K Views
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Given the soulful legend's Vegas residency and teases concerning new music, fans are expecting something big from the superstar soon.

Usher fans, get ready, because the star singer just posted a TikTok video saying he's going to "wake up R&B." Of course, many would argue that the genre's never slept, but the Southern born and bred artist wants to reach a new level. Moreover, he went through a pretty heavy pop phase at the end of the 2000s and along the 2010s. However, in that time, he eventually took a backseat to big releases. With the extension of his Las Vegas residency and more big moves, it looks like Usher's set on dominating the industry with new music.

What's more is that he already has something locked and loaded in store. For example, on Valentine's Day he released a sultry and tantalizing visual tease for an upcoming "GLU" single and music video. Also, the tease stars Lori Harvey, which also caught fans' attention. Even though it's unclear when this will drop, and what exactly it consists of, it was enough to get fans ready. In this latest tease, in which he walks around a mansion in a comfy bathrobe, he's probably banking on the grandiosity and opulent image that his powerful music evokes.

Usher Plans to "Wake Up" R&B

Furthermore, fans can't wait to see the 44-year-old star return to some of his artistic roots. In fact, he recently proclaimed that his classic 2004 album Confessions was "the birth of toxic R&B." While elaborating on his point, he said that back in the day, to be toxic meant to be honest. Even though he sung about relationships and overcoming their pitfalls, he said that being toxic now is more akin to acknowledging your personal pitfalls with no remorse. However you'd define it, one thing's clear: few artists can do that style as vividly, passionately, and with as much class as the "Burn" hitmaker.

Last year, Usher celebrated the 25th anniversary of his acclaimed project My Way with an expanded edition. Considering his Vegas shows as well, he's at a career peak where he can look back at the greatness he accomplished and bask in his status. Fortunately for his fans, that vantage point hasn't dissuaded him from continuing to push himself and show why that status is so earned. Whatever he brings, we're sure it'll make a big splash. Regardless of the final product, come back to HNHH for the latest news and updates on Usher.

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.
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