Usher Addresses ‘Pop’ Criticism, Rappers Turned Singers

What is today’s definition of R&B ? When does an R&B artist become too pop ? Is Usher a sell out ? Diamond selling “Euphoria” singer Usher tackled recent criticism over his new album “Looking For Myself,” talk of him going too pop and more in a recent interview.

Admitting his music is different that what might be expected, Usher says the goal with “Looking 4 Myself” was to create a “non genre specific record album.”

“I’m not only an R&B artist. I’m not only a pop artist, but I do have music that leans more R&B. As a matter of fact, every time I go all over the world and play “Climax,” people can try to identify. Is it a pop record? Is it a R&B record? Or is it just a record that people like? I think that my point was to create just a non-genre-specific record-album and that’s what I hope Looking 4 Myself is seen as,” says Usher.

With singing rappers and rapping singers, Usher believes R&B has opened up to a point where there should be no boxes or barriers.

“While R&B artists are admired for having incredible voices, it seems now that a rapper could be an R&B artist. It seems now that an R&B artist could be a rapper. There’s really no barriers, no boxes right,” Usher tells The Boom Box. “And that was my whole point. Why I think a lot of people have began to assume, well R&B isn’t as poignant as it used to be, really I just feel that the philosophy of how we do things are different.”

So should other R&B artists, those labeled as such, follow suit ? Usher says you have to be open now, not content with one lane.

“I think we have to be open to different styles of music and just be experimental and that right there creates a new following. That’s how styles like rock, punk were created. By way of just mixing and matching things. So that was my idea and the reason why I decided to work with electronic producers,” says Usher. “I think that music is reciprocal. I think that what might seem like old will, in a minute, feel like new. And I think that as long as people can continue to invest in it, it’ll continue to be relevant.”

But is R&B dead, like some have said recently ? Usher believes the genre is not dead but needs new perspective.

“I don’t think that R&B is dead, I wouldn’t say that but I do think that new ideas allow a different perspective and that is what my contribution is there,” says Usher.

Thoughts ?

Visit The Boom Box for Usher’s full and insightful interview.

Grammy-winning R&B singer Usher has been a fixture in the music industry since his debut album “Usher” was released in 1994. Since then, he’s become one of the biggest names in pop and R&B, with multiple Number One singles and albums under his belt. Recently, however, Usher has come under fire for being a “rapper turned singer” and accused of abandoning hip hop for more commercial sounds. In an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Usher finally addressed these criticisms head on – revealing how he manages to stay true to himself despite the pressure from fans and critics alike.

For years now, some have argued that rap artists who branch out into singing are betraying their roots; selling out to get radio play or appease record labels. When asked about this accusation, Usher responded by saying: “I don’t feel like I sold my soul at all…At the end of the day, it’s still me making decisions – no matter what genre I’m trying.” He went on to explain that while genres may change over time, his core values remain steady throughout any new venture or style shift.

It is clear that Usher refuses to let criticism stop him from taking risks musically or following his heart as a performer. As he told Rolling Stone: “The fearlessness comes when you realize you can be creative within any format… It allows me to challenge myself even further than if I just stayed [in] one lane”. Read on to find out more about how Ushers addresses ‘pop’ criticism and stays true to himself.

Usher’s Response To Controversy

Usher has been in the music industry for decades, and his transition from R&B to pop has generated some controversy. The Grammy award-winning singer recently addressed the criticism with a lengthy statement on Instagram. He began by acknowledging that he was aware of people’s opinions: “I’m sure you’ve all seen the comments about how I’ve changed my sound over the years.” Usher then dove into the history of rap and its evolution into what is now known as hip hop. He argued that this transformation had already happened within rap itself, citing artists such as Kanye West and Drake who pioneered melodic rapping styles.

In fact, Usher claimed that he himself had always tried to push boundaries musically: “My goal as an artist has always been to evolve,” he wrote. “To create something new while staying true to myself and respecting other genres.” Finally, Usher noted that crossing genre lines shouldn’t be surprising or frowned upon — it should instead be celebrated for bringing new sounds onto the mainstream stage. He concluded by reminding listeners that there are no rules when it comes to creativity; ultimately, fans should focus on enjoying music without judgement or preconceived notions about what kind of sound an artist should make.

Popular Rappers Who Transitioned To Singing

Today, many popular musicians have successfully straddled the line between rap and singing. Artists like Drake, Cardi B, and Lizzo are all examples of performers who have showcased their vocal talents while still maintaining a hip hop flair in their music. Kanye West is another artist who has made waves with his blend of genres; from gospel-inspired beats to acoustic ballads, he’s managed to create an entirely new sound that incorporates elements from both rap and pop.

Similarly, Usher himself has always been one to push boundaries musically. He embraced auto-tune on his 2004 album Confessions before it became commonplace in contemporary R&B — and pushed further by experimenting with electronic production on tracks such as “Yeah” featuring Ludacris and Lil Jon. His latest single “Don’t Waste My Time” sees him crafting a soulful ode over upbeat dancehall rhythms — showcasing yet again how genre lines can be blurred when creativity is allowed to take the lead.

Usher isn’t alone in this creative endeavor; across multiple generations of artists, we’ve seen time and time again that embracing different sounds doesn’t mean sacrificing authenticity or originality. As long as they stay true to themselves, performers should feel free explore whatever musical style speaks most deeply to them — regardless of whether it fits into neat categories or not!

Conclusion

I. In conclusion, Usher’s response to the criticism he received showed that he is not afraid of change and taking risks in his musical career. He admitted that while rap may be more popular than singing right now, he believes there will always be a place for singers who can offer something new and unique to their genre.

Usher has shown us that it is possible to transition from rapping to singing without sacrificing creativity or artistry. Artists like Drake and Cardi B have both made successful transitions between genres, proving that rap and pop are two sides of the same coin – just two different ways of expressing yourself musically.

Overall, Usher’s message was clear: you should never feel confined by one genre or style when creating music. I believe this advice applies to all musicians, no matter what type of music they make. Whether you’re an aspiring rapper hoping to break into the world of pop or a seasoned singer looking for a challenge, take heart – with dedication and hard work anything is possible!