Multi-platinum recording artist Usher chatted up the Tom Joyner Morning Show about his upcoming eighth studio album, his sexy single “Good Kisser” and upcoming his upcoming UR Experience tour.
“It’s been about three years since I’ve been touring. Since then I’ve been doing a lot of fun stuff,” he says. That includes his stint on The Voice, and his recent win with singer Josh Kaufman.”I’m taking a different approach than I have in the past. I’m picking up the bass – picking up instruments – singing a capella here and there. I’m still in the process, but I can tell you that every night it’s a unique experience. Every night is different you never know what’s going to happen.”
Usher says that he wants every show to be totally unique.
“I can tell you that when artists do that, they don’t always play their hits. I will be playing my hits. But it’s intended to be unexpected. I want to give you a different take on a lot of records and things that I’ve done in my career.”
On what to expect from new tour:
“At my late age of 28, I’ll be revealing my abs and all of that. But you know I ain’t 28, right?” (Usher turns 36 in October.)
On portraying Sugar Ray Leonard in “Hands of Stone”:
“It will be out at the top of the year. The film is done. We shot it out in Panama. Sugar Ray Leonard was one of the quickest on his feet so I had to use every part of my body as a dancer, but I enjoyed getting ready for it.”
“I acted with some incredible actors, Ruben Blades, Ellen Barkin, De Niro, it’s going to be an incredible movie.”
On his personal drama:
“I stay lifted. Every day makes me a better man. What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger. Everything that I’ve been able to live through just makes me focused, man.”
On whether he provides guidance to protege Justin Bieber:
“Of course. I don’t know whether he’s always listening, but….”
On what “Good Kisser”s really about:
“After the fifth listen, you look around and say ‘You know what you’re singing about, right?’
Catch Usher performing live on The Today Show on NBC Friday, September 5 and on Fashion Rocks on CBS on Tuesday, September 9th.
