Usher Raymond IV shares he wouldn’t be the artist he is today without Bad Boy Records while talking about his mentor Sean “Puff Daddy/Diddy/Brother Love” Combs as the latest guest on the popular Club Shay Shay Podcast with Shannon Sharpe.
“I wouldn’t be the artist I am today without going to New York City,” Usher replied to Sharpe when asked about being mentored by Brother Love as a child.
After signing with LaFace Records in 1994, Usher was sent to New York City to create his self-titled debut album, which Sean Combs produced as the executive producer. Over the years, Usher and Diddy continued to collaborate on various hits, such as Puff Daddy’s “I Need A Girl Pt. 1” and Usher’s “I Don’t Know. “
During the Club Shay Shay interview, Usher talked about Confessions being the only diamond-selling R&B of the 2000s, 8701 being his best body of work, advice from T.I., turning down joining a potential supergroup including Pharrell, Diddy, Jay-Z, and himself, and so much more. Here’s the complete episode synopsis:
“The legendary Usher joins Shannon Sharpe at Club Shay Shay for a drink and chat that goes far beyond the music charts. Usher gives the inside scoop on his upcoming performance during the Super Bowl Halftime Show and drops a bombshell – he was once slated to be part of a mega group featuring Jay-Z, Pharrell, and Diddy. Usher and Shannon delve into the what-ifs of this powerhouse collaboration. Past the hypotheticals, Usher discusses his the definitive moments of his career, including his Vegas residency that recently wrapped up. Then, Usher provides an inside scoop to the sides of showbiz many people never get to experience, like what really went down at Diddy’s Flavor Camp. As if being an 8x Grammy Winning pop icon wasn’t enough of a job for Usher, he also reveals that he was once the babysitter of none other than Beyoncé. As the secrets and stories unfold it becomes clear that this episode is more than a conversation, it’s a backstage pass to the stories behind the stage, all served with a side of Usher’s signature charisma.”
Usher is set to perform the highly-anticipated half-time show at Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, February 11 in Las Vegas. After the Super Bowl, Usher will headline his annual Lovers & Friends Music Festival in May, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Confessions with a full album performance.