Friday, December 15, 2006
posted by Chi-Chi at 12/15/2006 | Permalink
On a Newsstand by you...Usher and One Chance does "XXL Hip-Hop Soul" magazine
USHER & ONE CHANCE DOES "XXL HIP-HOP SOUL" {SOME SERIOUSLY FINE SEXY MEN!}
Usher and his R&B group One Chance does "XXL Hip-Hop Soul" magazine.
Usher on his 'hiatus':
"When I'm on hiatus, I get very fidgety. So helping others to put out music gives me a chance to convey my creativity. It pacifies my passion for music temporarily."
Usher on his R&B formula:
"I have my own formula, and no one has figured it out. But I say go for it. I encourage the competition. Jay-Z said it best the other day at the BET Hip-Hop Awards: 'Men lie, women lie. But numbers don't lie.' That's a profound statement. The proof is in staying power."
Usher on how his R&B group One Chance has been received so far:
"They were treated like shit on the last tour they went on. Not getting 100 percent respect from the crowds and stuff. But I told them, that's what happens when you're new. You can't get caught up on how glamorous television makes this business look. It may take a second album before people catch up."
Usher on the music heard on the radio:
"Umm, I don't know. Am I impressed? [sighs heavily] I'll say this. I'm a student of the game and I give credit where it's due. I just hate it when people don't give homage to people who've paved the way."
Usher on letting other folks run the R&B game until he comes back:
"What I said was, "Ya'll play with it until I get back.' One of the biggest misconceptions about me is that I'm cocky and conceited. When a person works hard, they should believe in themselves. They asked me a real question. They wanted to know what I think of people trying to take my spot. To them I say: Congratulatins, and come on down, You are the next contestant on "The Song May Be Right.' But for the most part, I stand by what I said: Ya'll play with it 'til I get back."
Usher on what to expect from his new music:
"I'll give you something. This is going to be a legendary project for me. The other records have been great and extremely successful. I hope that this one will be just as successful. I hope that this one will be just as successful. It's going to be honest and true. I'm doing this next album for the movement of R&B."
Usher on his critics who think his record label, USH Records is a waste of time:
"Don't knock me for having a dream. Get away from the crabs-in-a-barrell mentality. I'm going to give ya'll an album, just chill out. I've seen too much on the business side not to apply it. And I'm trying to apply it in a way that will be helpful to the state of music. In the end, it will be gratifying for everyone."
Usher on the possiblity of losing his mogo (FYI: he runs the Camp New Look, a non-profit organization that currently team up with A/X Exchange to do a Love 4 Life dog tags which benefits the victims of Hurricane Katrina)
"Come on now. When it comes down to handling my B-I? Let me step to a mic. You know how I do." {I love this man's business swagger!}
Read Usher's interview with XXL Hip-Hop Soul down below:
Part One [here]
Part Two [here]
Part Three [here]
One Chance's Jon on Usher:
"He's almost like our big brother. He shows us the ins and outs, he hells us what he's gone through. And only that, when we go to his concerts, we see how hard he works, in his practices, he's in there all night until the next morning, and then changes himself right on the spot. He'll be at a concert about to go on, and he'll want to change his routine up. We see what it takes to be the best, and the quality we need to learn from him. Just so we can be the greatest."
One Chance's Courtney on the group all being from Chi-Town (Chicago):
"If you notice all successful groups [have members] from the same city. I'm not saying they necessarily grew up together, but they grew up as a group."
One Chance's Jon on the group's work ethics:
"We call it 'grustling.' Grinding and hustling. You learn how to grustle to get there. Once you're at a certain position, people see your swagger when you walk in the room."
Usher on One Chance:
"The only way I can explain [them] to you is if you really know how cool Chi-Town people are. They're very approachable, not trying to be too extra or too much for the ladies, too much for the fellas or too hard. They're some real dudes."
Read One Chance's XXL Hip Hop Soul interview down below:
Part One [here]
Part Two [here]
Rico Love also signed onto USH Records:
It's about TIME Usher came back!