USHER FIX

New York radio station Hot 97 announced the lineup for the annual mega show Summer Jam on Monday afternoon (May 3). The event takes place June 6 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey, with Usher headlining a lineup that includes Drake, Nicki Minaj, DJ Khaled and Ludacris.

Trey Songz, Juelz Santana, Fabolous and Reflection Eternal fill out the roster, with Gucci Mane — who is due to be released from jail soon— rounding out the bill.

For headliner Usher, the top spot at the show is another feather in his cap for what is proving to be a strong year, which has already included a #1 album.

“This album means so much to my career,” Usher recently said told MTV News about Raymond v. Raymond. “I think this is the one time where I’m able to put it all in, emotionally and the good times — super-freaky and then also super-emotional. Raymond v. Raymond, artistically, is one of my greatest pieces of work, not only just because of the content, but also the people whom I got involved in it: T.I., Will.I.Am, Puff, Nicki Minaj.”

The album also features “She Don’t Know,” a track with Ludacris, who collaborated on one of Usher’s biggest hits, 2004′s “Yeah!” And the video for the Will.I.Am collaboration “OMG” recently hit the Internet. The clip is all performance as Usher brings his dance moves to the forefront. “A lot of people may have felt like I lost my swagger,” Usher said. “Let me tell you something: I play long-balls, so now we back. This one is it: Raymond v. Raymond!”

As always, you can expect some of the performers to bring out surprise guests — it’s a Summer Jam tradition. Some of the biggest names in the game have come out unadvertised for the concert. Just last year, Jay-Z set off his Blueprint 3 campaign by performing “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)” as a special guest of Young Jeezy’s.

In 2001, it was Jay-Z pulling a trump card, bringing out Michael Jackson.

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Usher - Lil' Freak (Remix) ft. Nicky Minaj & Sean Garrett

Usher is single again and the swaggering singer is on the hunt in his next video. According to Nicki Minaj, who guest-raps on the track, Usher’s “Lil Freak” should help put him back in the spotlight with the ladies.

“The video is freaky. And it’s a great concept, a great story line,” Nicki told MTV News. “And it’s a great concept, a great story line.” The Young Money femcee described the premise as being similar to the “Saw” movies. “It felt just like one of the sequels to ‘Saw,’ ” she said. “It was dope.”

In those flicks, the main character, rather than punishing them with death, gives his victims a number of challenges. A quick listen to “Lil Freak,” where Usher sings about ladies going out to find other ladies for him, and you’ll understand the similarities.

The clip will be the second video from the singer’s upcoming Raymond v. Raymond his sixth studio album, due March 30. ,

The video for “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home),” directed by Chris Robinson, debuted on MTV.com in January.

The lead single, the sweeping “Papers,” was the first offering from Raymond v. Raymond, a seemingly autobiographical take on his impending divorce from Tameka Foster.

“For you I gave my heart and turned my back against the world/ ‘Cause you were my girl, girl, girl,” he sings on the chorus. “I done damn near lost my mama, I done been through so much drama/ I done turned into the man I never thought I’d be/ I’m ready to sign them papers.”

Usher filed for divorce from Foster last year after nearly two years of marriage and two children. Foster struck back at Usher, however, in an interview with People magazine, calling the track “entertainment.”

“People shouldn’t take it literally,” she told the magazine.

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Usher, Nicki Minaj and director Taj on the set of the “Lil’ Freak” video…

From the opinions of his ex-wife, to the Trey Songz contrasts, to his recent wardrobe choice as the 2010 NBA All-Star Game’s lead performer, many have questioned if Usher’s sex appeal has started to wither. But music video director, TAJ Stansberry, believes the visuals he helmed for his client’s most salacious single yet, “Lil Freak,” will dispel any doubts.

“This probably has the potential to be [his sexiest video ever],” Stansberry says of the 17-hour Tuesday shoot. “As far as people talking about his sex appeal… there was a crowd on set of mostly women and when I looked at their eyes… let’s just say I think he’s going to be okay.”

The 29-year-old director—also responsible for Usher’s Raymond vs. Raymond promo video in December—revealed to VIBE how the music video’s concept will redefine the meaning of the song’s keyword: Freak. “My general idea was to take the word and show it’s many faceted sides, twisting and turning it to where there’s really no distinguishing between one freak and another. Usher went there,” he says. “When you’re engaging in sexual activity, there are many transitions and this is not about what they look like literally, but what they look like metaphorically. It’s about luring people into a situation. Because you have your thoughts on a ménage à trois, but then we’re doing it in a non-obvious way.”

As far as the song’s female feature, Young Money front woman, Nicki Minaj—who can be heard rapping about her pursuit of a belle with “a real big ol’ ghetto booty”—Stansberry says the femcee’s lyrics mirror her role on set. “[Nicki] had a few looks that I really liked. She played the part, but still was her. If you really listen to her words in the song, you can kinda visualize her outfit.” 

The produer, who also worked with Minaj on Ludacris’ recent video for “My Chick Bad,” continued about Nicki’s rapport with her male collaborator. “Usher’s one of the best entertainers in the world, then you have Nicki Minaj who’s fresh on the scene. Put them together and there’s just sparks, it was real good.”

But Usher and Nicki won’t be the video’s only stars. “Ciara and Jamie Foxx are in the video. I’ll give you that,” Stansberry spilled. “There might be some other people as well, who knows.”

For those waiting to see if Usher can recharge his sex symbol status, Stansberry assures that video’s debut is in the near future. “I know [Usher] also shot the music video for “Oh My God” with will.i.am, so I’m not sure if this video is coming out first. If mine is first, I assume [it will premiere] sometime in March.”

Usher’s sixth album, Raymond vs. Raymond is slated for release, March 30. “Lil Freak” is currently #42 on iTunes Top Songs. —Tracy Garraud

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Usher will soon start shooting the video for “Lil’ Freak” ft. Nicky Minaj according to TAJ_DIRECTOR (the director for the video) on Twitter. Check it out below.

Trey Songz has totally remixed Usher’s “Lil’ Freak” re-doing Usher’s part (& Nicky’s too). I think it’s ok, but does this mean he’s trying to say that Usher original version wasn’t good enough? I don’t know…. What do you guys think?

Click here to listen/download.

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