The Grammy Award winning singer and philanthropist, along with his foundation “New Look”, revisited the Mississippi Gulf Coast to continue the work he began in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. ‘Usher’s New Look’ along with’Trustmark National Bank’, ‘Visions of Hope’, and ‘Beau Rivage Resort and Casino’ announced a partnership to offer home replacement and renovation benefits to employees who owned homes that were destroyed significantly by the destructive hurricane. Through this year’s program, 80-100 families are expected to be supported through a housing initiative that provides homebuyer and financial education, training and counseling to displaced employees. The announcement took place during a kick-off rally before 1,500 Beau Rivage employees. Since its inception, ‘New Look’ has provided assistance to over 750 families throughout the New Orleans region with rent and utility assistance. The Rally was held at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi.

Usher ended his vist on the Gulf Coast at the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, LA to meet with medical professionals including LSU Health Science Center and US Doctors for Africa, to better understand the health care crisis facing youth in New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Speaking at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi

At Childrens Hospital in New Orleans

Sony Ericsson announced today that five-time Grammy Award-winning artist Usher will headline Sony Ericsson’s Walkman music phone campaigns in North America. The partnership covers the United States and Canada, in addition to more
than twenty countries in Europe and will include title sponsorship rights for Usher’s North American tour later in the year. Sony Ericsson will engage in joint marketing activities with exclusive wireless operator, AT&T in the United States.

Usher will discuss the details of the partnership and make a surprise announcement at a press conference at the Sony Club at the Sony Building in New York City on May 28th.

“This partnership with Usher is the ideal campaign for us to build on the leadership that we’ve established in the mobile music arena,” said Karen Morris, Sony Ericsson vice president of marketing in North America. “Consumers will be able to get the ultimate mobile music experience, thanks to Sony Ericsson and Usher.”

“New and exclusive content from Usher’s new album and tour on AT&T is the kind of mobile content our customers have come to expect,” said Andy Wilson, vice president, marketing for AT&T’s wireless operations. “This program with Sony Ericsson allows our customers to connect with Usher wherever they have their mobile phone.”
Continue Reading »

»Here I Stand
May 27, 2008
Talking to some of the collaborators on Usher’s next album, Here I Stand (due in June), all indications point to the project being a blend of mature music and songs that will make the girls dance.

Former Roc-A-Fella R&B artist Rell wrote the title track, which is produced by the Grammy Award-winning team Dre & Vidal.

“It’s a ballad,” Vidal Davis said earlier this week. “Classic. It’s a smash. It shows that despite all the things he’s been through, he’s still here. The first time [Usher] heard it after Rell wrote it, he said, ‘I gotta cut that.’ He’s really grown [on] this album. He’s talking about some issues.”

Dre & Vidal worked with Usher on 15 songs last year in New York and Atlanta and finished with him in August. “Here I Stand” is said to be addressing Usher’s fans and family. “The song is saying, ‘No matter how far I go, no matter how long it takes, here I stand,’ ” Vidal said.

Polow Da Don, who produced the album’s first single and current No. 1 song in the country, “Love in This Club,” worked on two other records for the album as well.

Continue Reading »

2 The Advocate | Based out of Chicago, One Chance is gearing up to make it big with their single, “U Can’t,” featuring Young Joc. Not only is this single getting airplay, but the group is also about to release their debut album and begin a summer tour with multiplatinum artist Usher.

One Chance isn’t an overnight success, they have been working on their career for quite a while. The group’s story started with brothers Jon and Michael Gordon.

Continue Reading »