Usher says no one is surpassing Michael Jackson’s impact: “Everybody has their space in history”

[ September 15, 2024 ]

When it comes to an artist exceeding Michael Jackson’s influence, Usher is certain who wins the debate between him and Chris Brown

BY Angelina Velasquez

What would music look and sound like without the influence of Michael Jackson, the world’s biggest and most iconic pop star to grace the global stage? We may never know for sure, but the generation of entertainers who used his career as a blueprint to chart their own success makes his impact undeniable.

Usher is among the artists who have found ways to weave hints of the “Thriller” superstar into his performances and stage persona, dance moves included. But if you were to ask him who, if anyone, might be the second coming of Jackson, he wouldn’t name himself or any other pop-R&B act.

“The same as in history, there’s been inspiration that defines who and inspired who I am. There will only be one Little Richard. There will only be one James Brown. There will only be one Michael Jackson. There will only be one Prince. There will only be one Usher,” he told The Associated Press. “So with that, everybody has their space in history. I’m just trying to make certain that we remember it.”

The eight-time Grammy Award-winner released his ninth studio album, Coming Home, performed at the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show, launched a world tour, PAST PRESENT FUTURE, and has been receiving his flowers for his decades-long career all year. He is currently promoting his international concert film, USHER: RENDEZVOUS IN PARIS, that completes its three-day run in AMC Theaters on Sunday (Sept. 15).

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Usher Talks Being a Dad While Previewing New ‘My Way’ Vegas Residency

[ July 18, 2022 ]

Usher is back in Las Vegas with “My Way: The Las Vegas Residency” at the Dolby Live at Park MGM, and he’s talking to “Extra” about this new show following a successful run with his first at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Usher also opened up about his good friend Justin Bieber, with whom he recently vacationed in Idaho after Justin’s his Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis.

“As an artist, I think we are all going to experience some things that people may not necessarily understand,” Usher said, referencing a performer’s life being “a life that comes with a great deal of pressure.“

He went on to say, “I think [Justin] has obviously taken the world on a journey. I am happy that I was at the beginning of and I am still a part of to this day, as a friend.”

Revealing how Bieber is doing, Usher said, “He is doing great. Seeing him on vacation, we managed to hang out with each other, and I think that whatever he may be experiencing right now it’s actually really great to see that he has the support from his fans and his family.”

Usher is giving the fans “My Way,” but the show is really their way. He said, “It’s all about giving the ladies what they want to see, you know? It’s about giving Vegas something they may not have experienced before… It’s a bit theatrical… So many things throughout my career — Broadway, acting, skating, hit records, dancing — I try to put all of those things into my show. I’ve played arenas and stadiums, but to be here at Dolby Live theater and give them this intimate view of my music and also to share with them the things that I am passionate about and the places that I’ve gone… whether it’s the heat of the strip club or the intimacy of the moments that’s nice and slow… It’s all of that into one.”

Usher is also bringing roller skating to his Vegas stage! “It’s something that I have always loved and is authentically Atlanta culture… You listen to ‘Good Love.‘ We shot it in Atlanta at Cascade, where I am at either on Sundays or Wednesdays when I am in Atlanta. It’s the culture. It’s the culture that I have always loved.”