We approached Jadakiss and he was finishing his album at the time. We ended up making it into a song about lost love which worked out perfectly.” “Originally Jay was supposed to get on it, but he was on vacation and wasn’t going to make it back in time to meet the mastering deadline. Dre as an exit record… Once it became apparent that Detox wasn’t going to happen ’cause he was doing other things, we gave the record to Usher…. Said Just Blaze: “ Detox was supposed to be his final album, that’s why the sample on the song is singing, ‘You’re going to want me back.’ It was originally intended for Dr. Dre’s long-gestating album Detox-with a guest verse from Jay Z. The super producer told that plans were to feature the beat for Dr. Just Blaze would’ve still been waiting to place the beat for “Throwback” if his own producer intuition didn’t kick in. “Throwback” was originally made for Detox Usher’s brother, James “JLack” Lackley, produced both the album’s spacey intro. 1973 was a good yearīecause every sample that appears on the album-from Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “Is There A Place For Me” (“Take Your Hand”) to Dionne Warwick’s “You’re Gonna Need Me” (“Throwback”) to Willie Hutch’s “Mack’s Stroll/The Getaway (Chase Scene)” (“Superstar”)-was mined from ‘73 vinyls. The couple got married the following year. Robin supplies the album favorite “Can U Handle It?” while Paula P. Whoops! Paula Patton makes a cameo, tooįortunately, she gets her just due. Faith Evans lends phantom vocalsįaith drops some background vocals on the Dre & Vidal-produced “Superstar,” but was mistakenly not credited in the liner notes. The alternate is a demo, whose accompanying vocals are supplied by Kortney Kaycee Leveringston. But some stans also remember another version that surfaced on mixtapes back in 2004 that was thought to co-star Jay Z’s boo, Beyoncé. Yet four albums later, in the wake of multi-platinum sales, he's matured from a teen pop star to a sultry singer of considerable substance.The Special Edition bonus track “My Boo,” Usher’s dedication to a first love, featured Alicia Keys’ angelic voice. It's scary to think that it's now 10 years since the 14-year-old first made his mark on the RnB scene. The jury is in and the record-buying public has voted with their hard-earned cash. Is it mere theatre or is he really putting his cards on the table? On Confessions Part II he tells his lover, "I'm having a baby by a woman I barely even know," while Truth Hurts may well have significant meaning to Ms Thomas. There's meaty hip-grinding licks on Caught Up, and a funky 70s rub on both Throwback (complete with loops and backing vocal samples from Dionne Warwick) and the Harold Melvin-sampling Take Your Hand.Īs the title implies, this is an autobiographical album, and the lyrics see him glide from the sexually charged (That's What It's Made For and Can U Handle It?) to the almost embarassingly personal. The album opens with the first single Yeah, featuring Ludacris, and from there on presents the listener with a plethora of potential singles. It's a proven fact that sex sells just look at Janet Jackson's coverage following her Super Bowl 'boob'! The recent media frenzy surrounding Usher's exploits has more than paid dividends, helping to propel him to the top of the UK singles and album charts. It also begs the question: how many of the tracks on his fourth long-player were written with her in mind? At least while I'm still young." This may go some way to explain his recent parting with Rozonda Thomas from TLC after three years together. It's impossible for me to be in a relationship. If you believe the tabloid press, Usher Raymond has one mighty libido.