Here’s an interview with One Chance. They have recently signed with T-Pain’s record company Nappy Boy Records. For those of you who don’t remember or know of Usher’s former group, one of their videos “Look At Her” is below. And did he say Usher’s not “real” ? Hmmm, I wonder what that’s all about. I for one loved their music, but with all of that @$%& they had to say, their music better be bangin’.
Z100’s Jingle Ball 2009 (Madison Square Garden)
Everybody knows that you sing and dance, but not many people know that you’re a part-owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. So let’s ask what every New Yorker wants to know: Is LeBron James coming to New York next season?
A. I don’t know. I don’t think any of us can answer that question. Only he can answer that. I think he’s just having fun; 25 is a very relaxing year. I remember 25 — I kind of came into my own. LeBron is an anomaly. He’s a unique talent. As you come into your space, you find your home and you become more confident. So, hopefully, he’ll stay home. Or, at least, he’ll make it his home for business.
Q. You got your start in Atlanta, but do you remember the first time you came to New York City?
A. Sure I do. I was 14 years old and had just signed my first big record deal. L.A. Reid signed me to LaFace Records and wanted to give me the true essence of what being an artist was, so he put me around a very relevant star at the time, Puffy. I ran with him in New York and he helped me understand the industry. I was blown away by the city, but that’s not really why I was here. I was pursuing my career. It wasn’t until years later that I even understood what this city had to offer. I knew there were a lot of people that never slept, at least that’s what they said, but I didn’t understand how many great things could come out of New York.
Q. Is performing here different from performing at other places?
A. Absolutely. If you can win over the crowd in New York City, you can do it anywhere, and that’s the truth. The New York crowd is very hard to please, but if you’ve got them, they’ll stick with you. Of course, if you flinch for a moment, if you’re timid, they’ll boo you off the stage. Luckily, I’ve never been booed in my life. I’ve had a bad concert, but I’ve never been booed — unless it was karaoke.
Q. You’ve just released your new cologne, VIP. What does an entertainer know about cologne?
A. VIP is my fifth line of fragrances and I’ve learned a lot. The creative process, no matter what, is based on taste, and this is just another way of interpreting my vision. This fragrance is intended to be elegant, confident and sexy at the same time. I view it like making a song. Both have top notes, middle notes and bottom notes. There is also a first verse, then a second verse and a bridge.
“More” from Usher, made for the TNT NBA All Star Game in Dallas, Texas (Feb. 12-14, 2010).
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Multi-platinum recording artist Usher surprised Macy’s staff and Santa with an early morning visit to the flagship New York City store.
Usher showed appreciation for the early store opening by bringing coffee to the Usher VIP fragrance sales associates and made a trip to Santaland with a special gift of his Usher VIP fragrance, for one very important person that works especially hard this time of year – Santa Claus. He also took advantage of the stop to finish up some of his own holiday shopping.
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Usher knows his stuff when it comes to fashion.
The R&B singer describes his style as “flashy classy” and he is known for seamlessly moving between three-piece banker suits and leather jackets. He admires edgier designers such as Rick Owens, Marc Jacobs and Kris Van Assche.
Usher has enough business savvy to say it’s not the right time for him to launch his own label, but he is in New York to promote his new fragrance, Usher VIP, a follow-up to Usher He, which ranked in the top 40 of men’s prestige fragrance sales this year, according to market data researcher NPD.
This is all moonlighting for him, though. Musically, Usher had the No. 3 hip-hop song according to Nielsen/BDS with “Papers.”
On this day Usher is in a luxurious hotel suite wearing a long blue cardigan sweater, dark jeans and black leather boots to answer fashion questions from The Associated Press:
_AP: What’s the most important element of your look?
Usher: It’s about how you feel, not about `fashion.’ It’s about healthy living, the combination of foods you eat. … Those ancillaries are what lead you to `fashion.’ Fashion can be a beautiful scarf, soft cashmere sweater or cool boots.
_AP: Where do you find inspiration for your style?
Usher: My taste develops the more I’m introduced to things, the more I travel and experience different lifestyles. I always go out and embrace where I am — I don’t stay locked up in a hotel room. I am an eclectic spectator.
_AP: Why isn’t there an Usher fashion label yet?
Usher: I’m building a lifestyle brand and I’m not rushing to do clothes. I feel like I’m speaking to my customer now with the fragrances, and, in this economy and with my style and attention to detail, my clothes won’t come cheap. It’s not the right time.
_AP: What did you wear when you sang at President Obama’s holiday concert earlier this month?
Usher: I worked with the president’s tailor. I wanted an edge but be appropriate and I wanted to be warm. The scarf I wore was attached to the jacket, which was cashmere and had waxed silver thread. I wore a slim pant that was dressy and well tailored — and I’m in good shape now so I didn’t mind showing off a little. I wore black boots that were like spats with French buttons by Dsquared2. … It was all new for the president.
_AP: What’s with the beard?
Usher: It keeps me warm.
We admit it; we initially thought this could be another celeb fragrance best reserved for the heavy cologne-loving teenage boy set. But it isn’t so. Usher VIP is a woody blend of clean bergamot, fresh tangerine and exotic saffron with a warm note of nutmeg. It’s sophisticated yet subtle, with scent layers reminiscent of higher end designer fragrances.
Another thing we dig? The star also plays philanthropist. Usher’s New Look is a non-profit created by the singer that helps underprivileged children develop their business and entertainment talents, and then teaches them to use their new skills to affect positive change in their own communities.
Move over, Britney. There’s a new celebrity fragrance in town. And this one is hot.
“Fragrance is the one thing that stays on when everything else comes off,” Usher tells StyleList with a knowing smile.
When we met the Grammy Award -winning crooner at the midtown London Hotel yesterday, he looked cozy yet stylish in a charcoal grey cable knit sweater and dark rinse jeans. It’s no surprise the 31 year-old entrepreneur’s own sense of style was the inspiration behind his new fragrance – Usher VIP, now available in department stores nationwide.
“I asked myself – if I’m meeting a woman for the first time on a date, what scent do I wear? What if it’s a business meeting with executives, or an on-stage performance? So I created a scent that ties sexy to intelligent to elegant, one that you can wear in all different situations with style.”
“My Nanny always played all these ranges of music – lots of James Brown and old blues hits. She was always supportive and nurturing, even when I was trying to find my way and it wasn’t easy. So was my Mom. I want to be able to help other kids develop their talents like that,” says Usher.
With all of these projects, it’s no wonder Usher’s month has been packed. And with the holidays right around the corner, we wondered what a star who seemingly has everything could want for Christmas.
“Oh man, I want to make sure that my kids have the most incredible Christmas! This is Usher’s second and Naviyd’s first,” Usher says of his two children. “My Nanny and I started this tradition where we always come together on Christmas and cook desserts. I want my kids to be a part of it now. It know it’s going to be real messy, but it’s all about having fun together.”
Source: Stylelist.com
Usher wants to know what you think about his new fragrance Usher VIP for men. Share your thoughts on #UsherVIP on Twitter and be entered to win a chance to meet Usher and other great prizes!
They are announcing the winners on UsherVIPSweeps.com and on Twitter @UsherVIPSweeps. The deadline is January 17, 2010. Tweet now!
For full instructions go to UsherVIPSweeps.com. For even more chances to win, go to the Usher VIP Facebook page here.
To buy Usher VIP click here.
Usher’s Twitter
