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A house party hooked R&B superstar Usher up with Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, publisher of music games such as Guitar Hero and DJ Hero. As a result, Usher’s No. 1 song OMG will be included in the upcoming DJ Hero 2 game.
Usher also performed the song with will.i.am at Activision’s pre-E3 concert at Staples Center last week in L.A. Also on the bill: Eminem, Jane’s Addiction, N.E.R.D., DJ David Guetta, Soundgarden lead singer Chris Cornell and Tool’s James Maynard Keenan.
How did you get involved with the DJ Hero 2 game?
My musical contribution is OMG. Sometimes it’s not about what you know but who you know. Me and Bob (Kotick) actually met at his house and had a pretty cool relationship. He had obviously a few projects that were of interest. But more than anything just the potential of doing something in the future. This is kind of like an opening, the beginning of a very beautiful relationship.
I was at one of the launch events here in Los Angeles (for the first DJ Hero game) where Jay-Z performed. I’ve been tracking it. It’s really a game that I think is very interesting and obviously would connect with my consumer and I think this song fit. These kids can’t come to the club. This game brings them to that experience. That’s my honest opinion. They obviously love the music but not many of them are able to have that experience. That’s why I wanted to be associated with this game.
Musicians seem to have differing opinions about music games.
I think that this game brings them closer to a very relevant culture. Entertainment isn’t just performing on stage. Think about the first time you heard a smash or the record that you loved in a club and the DJ did something real cool with it. This allows them to be a part of that, like a cultural experience.
What else do you have going on? Obviously things are good now (with a recent No. 1 album Raymond v. Raymond and four hit singles from the album).
Pretty well. Obviously the tour is coming later this year. Just steady doing business and making sure I keep my finger on the pulse of what is going on.
What is catching your eye these days?
There is a lot of things. I think the world is looking for a kind of a relief because there is so much negativity. So many things to talk about and music is to be used in that way. But at the same time I do want to continue to entertain and give people something positive.
What thoughts do you have about video games as a medium?
They are great not only to pass time but to allow yourself to become a part of that world, that experience if it’s a war game or there’s a specific era or time you want to enjoy. You have that in a game. Or back to being in a club. You don’t get that 100% but you get a feeling or a piece of it. We are very competitive and sometimes these are our greatest times of exchange when we are able to battle our friends and compete with them.
Any particular type of video game you prefer?
It could be sports. I pass time on the plane or the bus. It could be a war game or a little basketball. I never get out on the field, so it’s my own little fantasy.
By Mike Snider
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