Usher To Release Versus LP In August

An extension of Raymond v. Raymond, album features eight new songs.By Mawuse Ziegbe





Usher

Photo: Mike Coppola/FilmMagic




R&B megastar Usher will release an extension of his latest hit album, Raymond v. Raymond, on August 24. The album, entitled Versus, features eight new songs, including the Pitbull collaboration "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love," which recently premiered on the singer's website. In addition to Versus, Usher will also put out Raymond v. Raymond (The Deluxe Edition) on the same day. The deluxe edition of the crooner's chart-topping album will include all the tracks from Versus and the original version of Raymond v. Raymond.
The singer's latest album took the top spot on the Billboard albums chart when it debuted earlier this year, moving more than 300,000 copies during its first week of release. Before Raymond dropped, the hit-making heartthrob told MTV News that the album held special significance for him.
"This album means so much to my career," Usher said. "I think this is the one time where I'm able to put it all in, emotionally and the good times — super-freaky and then also super-emotional. Raymond v. Raymond, artistically, is one of my greatest pieces of work, not only just because of the content but also the people whom I got involved in it: T.I., Will.I.Am, Puff, Nicki Minaj."
Usher has also proven he has an eye for talent with the breakout success of teen protégé Justin Bieber. Drawing from his history of cranking out R&B and pop smashes, Usher recognized early on that the Beeb's talent extends beyond his pipes.
"I felt like his voice was incredible. I feel he was very charismatic, and that's what it takes to be able to handle what this is," Usher told MTV News. "It's the ability to turn it on and understand, but it was a very real ability. It was actually just him."



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