Raymond single is a testament to Usher and Rico Love’s creative brotherhood. Mix that with Usher’s lyrical prose, and a rhythmic hit was born. Nicki Minaj perfectly compliments the salacious track with her animated delivery and creative puns. As if the production isn’t temptatious plenty, the vividly suggestive lyrics reveal just enough to still leave listeners making their own deductions. “Lil Freak” features a distorted sample of “Living for the City” by Stevie Wonder, filled with dark orchestral synths and looming horns. Co-produced by the latter, Polow created the perfect theme song for Usher’s brazen escapade. Two years after topping the Hot 100 with “Love in the Club,” Usher and Polow da Don reunite on the ominously seductive single. Whether it’s the staccato vocal performance, the abundance of synths or the cheering crowd, you can’t deny the urge to bust a move. Masterminded by will.i.am, this EDM banger completely deviates from the majority of Usher’s library but we get reminded of his roots at the 3:12 mark. “OMG” is not only one of the most popular songs of 2010, but it’s also one of the most successful songs of Usher’s career, becoming his ninth Hot 100 topper.

Talk about the genre-blend overload of R&B and dance-pop with a dash of auto-tune. Usher is no stranger to pouring his life into his music, as Confessions was an evident example, but this single was personally intimate. Providing the track’s mellow buoyancy, the true-to-life lyrics make up for the linear production. Usher nails the execution of emotion, but the spirit of the buzz single falls flat. He shared with MTV in 2010 that the song was actually written and recorded prior to his marriage ending. “Papers” is one of the few songs that somewhat touches on his marital woes. Usher was enduring his divorce shortly before the creation of Raymond v Raymond, which had people speculating if that would be the main topic of the album. His signature sound is much preferred among his day-one fans but tracks like “More” show there are multiple facets to his talent. Given its infectious sound, the single leaves much to the imagination with its simplistic lyrics and easy-going melody. As a part of Usher’s electro-dance catalog, “More” is a catchy, horn-heavy tune that broadens his capabilities as an artist. If the high-energy dance track sounds somewhat familiar, the song was used in commercials to promote the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. To celebrate the anniversary of Raymond v Raymond, below are his singles ranked from the album. Raymond won Album of the Year at the Soul Train Awards later that year and Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011.įrom the melodic mid-tempo “Making Love (Into the Night)” to the slinky “Pro Lover,” Usher made it clear that he hadn’t lost his sly, yet irresistible euphonic charm. As his last platinum -selling album, Raymond v. He led Billboard’s year-end tally in 2010 as the top R&B male performer, proving the necessary redirection worked in his favor. In relation to the romantic struggles between man and woman, the album is about “ the honesty a man has to have.”įinally, back from what he seemingly considered an unexpected fall from grace, Usher reminded listeners why they continued to follow his journey with an expected comeback. He didn’t want his personal life to directly influence the music. Met with a lackluster response and a finalized separation, Usher gave fans what they wanted and returned to his ladies’ man persona but with a seasoned approach.Įven though the multi-awarded superstar was going through a highly publicized divorce from Tameka Foster, Raymond v Raymond wasn’t a mirror reflection of his situation. The album didn’t exactly meet the expectations fans and critics were highly anticipating. He shifted gears content-wise on Here I Stand, replacing his enticing playboy lines for mature lyrics on family and monogamy. His music sold a fantasy of sorts, through a role that briefly subsided when he became a father and husband.ĭuring the short-lived union, it caused Usher to reevaluate the direction his music was taking, deciding to lend to a serious side that was yet to be seen. He ascended to mega-stardom in 2004 with the certified diamond album Confessions, cementing his rightful place in the R&B hall of fame.

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