![]() But after a triumphant 20 years in the business, it was both fitting and commendable that, in the city that helped make him a superstar, he saw the value in looking back.įollow the AJC Music Scene on Facebook and Twitter.Justin Bieber & Usher Watch LeBron James Courtside on Opening Night Usher is all about moving forward, and one of these days he’ll finish that new album he’s been teasing. Usher, amusingly, ceded the spotlight to his rapper pals and engaged in some twisting and sliding around the stage while they performed.īut Usher is the consummate smoothie, and he quickly steered the show back into his own territory with "Bad Girl" and the Grammy-nominated "Good Kisser," an intriguing amalgamation of funk, rap and soul that spotlighted more of his gravity-defying knee bends, sexiness that never devolved into smarminess and a fur hat. ![]() is on a stage, the electricity in the room is palpable, and his triple shot of “Whatever You Like,” “Fancy,” from protégé Iggy Azalea, and “No Mediocre” threatened to hijack the show, especially when Young Thug burst into the mix. Photo: Akili-Casundria Ramsess/Special to the AJC.īut the parade of guests wasn’t over yet.Īny time T.I. (Akili-Casundria Ramsess/Special to the AJC) Usher brought his smooth moves to Philips Arena last month for a hometown show. Dance favorite "Good Kisser"was released as the lead single off the album. The UR Experience is the precursor to the release of his eighth studio album entitled UR. 9, 2014 - ATLANTA: Usher displays his famous moves for his opening set of his UR Experience tour in Atlanta performing at the Philips Arena. “That’s classic ATL right there,” Usher said after the breezily fun interlude with his comrades.ĭec. They were soon joined by Lil Jon and Ludacris for, of course, “Lovers and Friends.” His buttery falsetto soared on “Climax” and he thoroughly inhabited the beautifully brokenhearted “Burn.” Of all of Usher’s numerous relationship songs, “Burn” is his most mature proclamation and on this night, a heartfelt sing-along with the audience prompted one of many sincere expressions of gratitude from the singer, who frequently flashed his boyish grin and batted those puppy-dog eyes.Īfter a brief exit from the stage, Usher returned in a black tank top (which, much to the delight of the ladies in the crowd, he later removed for the rudimentary drum intro he played for “Good Kisser”), a thick gold chain and gilded sneakers and brought his longtime associate Dupri out for a playful romp through “Lemme See” and “Hey Daddy (“Daddy’s Home”) (check out the better-than-nothing video below). Proudly displaying his Sugar Ray-worthy biceps and the mini Chia Pet on his chin, Usher frequently detoured into soliloquies about love lost and found, using them as gateways to songs such as the strutting, funky “Twisted.” He deftly maneuvered between “You Make Me Wanna…” – brilliantly redesigned with electric guitar and fat horns – and “U Remind Me,” a slow jam brew of liquid soul and dramatic flair. Usher is the rare breed who excels at both (his longtime vocal coach, "Mama" Jan Smith called him "a remarkable vocal specimen"). Plenty of musical acts possess some dancing skills, but most of them use it to mask other deficiencies, like, perhaps, singing. He emerged from a puff of smoke, his red sneakers and omnipresent microphone headset the only things visible, and, after a few pops of pyro, he spun and glided through “My Way” and jogged in place to the bass thuds that propel “OMG.” Photo: Akili-Casundria Ramsess/Special to the AJC ![]() ![]() (Akili-Casundria Ramsess/Special to the AJC) Yep, that's a dramatic entrance. 9, 2014 - ATLANTA: Best-selling, multiple-award winning musician, songwriter, dancer and actor Usher brings his UR Experience Tour back home to Atlanta performing at the Philips Arena with opening acts August Alsina and DJ Cassidy.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |