25/02/2024
Huh? Help me out here, fam: On the day of the Super Bowl (11th Feb 2024) I heard the dumbest interview ever on Danish television. An alleged 'music expert' was commenting on the choice of Usher as the halftime show performer. The journalist, Birgitte Borup (), stated that it was an unwise choice, as Usher essentially was a 90s has-been. She went on to say that he: "had a couple of hits back in the day" and that: "Taylor Swift would have been a wiser choice". (Don't even get me started on the last one). HOWEVER: OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR! I for one - a working, professional r&b, soul, jazz, gospel musician of 40 years, married to the same, black, American man for 33 years with 2 mixed kids and years living and studying jazz at Manhattan School of Music in New York City - REJOICED, when I heard of the choice! Usher is a solid, incredible, quadruple threat (vocalist, actor, dancer, composer) etc. etc. etc. One of the few to lift the heritage from MJ and Prince (and yes; I know of Chris Brown...). Ok, so the whole thing was pathetic, as the journalist was a middle aged, Danish, caucasian woman making ignorant statements about a style of music, about America, and about black culture that she obviously knows NOTHING about. It stank of looking in from the outside. CRINGE!!
I do realize that I am in fact also a "middle aged, Danish, caucasian woman", BUT with a different story, background and DNA than said journalist. Take away? Homage to Usher: For bringing back the richness of thick, full r&b chords drawing on soul, jazz & gospel. For sprinkling your music with phat beats. For leaving demons and devils out of your stage show. For bringing back infectious joie de vivre. Well done my good and faithful servant!! PS: U don't have to call, BB!
Official HD video for "U Don't Have To Call" by UsherListen to Usher: https://Usher.lnk.to/listenYDSubscribe to the official Usher YouTube channel: https://U...