Usher
Photo: Steve Granitz/ Getty Images

Usher was set to release his next album, Raymond vs. Raymond, in early 2010, but since the single "Papers" has everyone buzzing, he won't keep fans waiting much longer. The singer has bumped up the album-release date to December 21, a rep for Usher confirmed to MTV News on Friday (November 13).

Producer Bryan Michael Cox spoke with MTV News recently about his work on the upcoming album, promising a deeply personal project from Usher.

"I think Usher is in a place where he really wants to express what's going on in his life, as any artist would," Cox said, referring to Usher's divorce from Tameka Foster-Raymond. "All the greats did it. Marvin Gaye did Here, My Dear. All the greats express where they are personally."

Cox said the album will tell the stories everyone wants to hear, especially since Usher is back on the single scene.

"I think [the new album] is where we are going to see Usher as an artist. I'm very curious to hear what the rest of the album is going to sound like," Cox said about Raymond vs. Raymond. "Our records are definitely in that lane of touching on what's going on in his life, so we are going to see what's going to happen. I'm very excited about the album. I think he has a lot to say."

• Usher

Sean Garrett
Photo: Universal

Sean "The Pen" Garrett has the swagger of a boxer. Fast with a verbal jab, expert at talking an Ali-worthy streak of trash and prone to referring to himself in the third person, the fire-hot producer/songwriter (Beyoncé's "Diva," Fergie's "London Bridge," Usher's "Papers" and Mario's "Break Up") is planning to take some rare "me" time later this year to hunker down on his first solo album.

"Sean Garrett as an artist is what fans are missing," he said recently during a break from a workout at an Atlanta gym. "I'm making the kind of records Bell Biv Devoe and Bobby Brown made, songs you love and get excited hearing, with crazy beats and incredibly creative. I'm trying to be a little innovative and make songs girls will love. I'm pulling out all the stops."

Soon, he promised, he'll announce his new label deal, and by the end of December, he's penciled in six weeks or so of intense recording time — the first extended studio lockdown in his nearly decade-long career — to begin laying down the tracks for the yet-untitled album he hopes to have out next summer.

But, like any savvy boxer, Garrett knows when to pull punches and save some for the ring, so while he won't reveal too much about what guests he might have on the album, he did promise this: "I confirmed today that one of the biggest superstars in the world will be on it." Beyond that, he was not saying much.

Garrett released a Japan-only solo disc, Turbo 919, last year, but he said the upcoming album will be his true solo debut after more than half a decade of toiling behind the scenes for everyone from Ashley Tisdale and Amerie to the Pussycat Dolls, Jesse McCartney, Mary J. Blige and Chris Brown.

The first single from the album, the recently released Gucci Mane-featuring tune "Up in Your Heart," is a prime example of Garrett's skills: a hypnotic chorus over a sneakily insidious spare beat and a hook that instantly grabs your ears. "If people love [Mario's] 'Break Up,' they're gonna love my album," said the supremely confident hitmaker. "The biggest comparison I can make [as an artist] is to Kanye, because there's so much energy and so much to talk about, and I want to have so much fun on the record. People have tried to keep me in this songwriter/producer box, but I'm so much more of a bigger talent."

Working hard to make the album what he called "bulletproof," Garrett said despite his proven track record of hit writing, he feels like an underdog on his solo effort. That's why he's working extra hard to prove himself as he plans to continue his winning streak with a song on the upcoming Rihanna Rated R album, as well as tunes he's writing for Lady Gaga and Britney Spears, another single with Mario, "Stranded," and a new one from Jamie Foxx's upcoming album, "French Kiss."

"I have to take the same type of approach I take on the hit records I write: I can't rush it," he said. "I'm a f---ing superstar artist/writer/producer, and I will give my fans what they want and what they're asking me to give them: a phenomenal album. I'm the underdog, man, I can't go wrong. I got nothing to lose. Underdogs can't lose."

In the meantime, Garrett promised that he will also continue to be a presence on the radio and on the mixtape front, pointing to his current spot on the Gucci song "In My Business" alongside Drake.

• Sean Garrett
• Beyoncé
• Rihanna
• Usher

Usher and Tameka Foster
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

Usher seems to be taking some very specific shots on his new Sean Garrett-penned single "Papers," most of which fans have assumed are aimed at the singer's estranged wife.

But in a new interview with People magazine, Tameka Foster-Raymond claims that "Papers" is purely "entertainment," saying "people shouldn't take it literally." And even though the mother of Usher's two children doesn't believe he intended the song as a commentary on their short marriage, "Given what we're going through," she said, "it's in poor taste."

In the magazine's November 9 issue, on newsstands now, Foster-Raymond, 38, opens up about the painful divorce proceedings, revealing that she found out about them when friends and family called to ask her if she was OK. "Usher and I weren't really speaking then," she said. "He was away recording, and I was angry at other things going on."

The magazine claims that during the time Foster-Raymond was alluding to, Usher was spotted out with another woman while working on his upcoming Raymond vs. Raymond CD. "He filed two days later."

She still claims not to know why the two-year marriage ended and said their relationship is cordial now and she's still in love with him. She said their marriage was "pressure-filled" from the beginning, with careers, children, fans and age combining to undercut their chances. "I don't blame myself," she said, knocking down reports that she got pregnant in order to trap the 31-year-old star into marrying her. "We definitely tried for it. And last I checked, he wasn't trapped. He did music videos while I was pregnant."

The one rumor Foster-Raymond did confirm was that she has had disputes with Usher's mother/manager, Jonnetta Patton, though she said they were not serious disagreements and that their relationship was cordial. "We didn't have documentable arguments," she said. "I don't think she was happy about [me and Usher]. He was a sex symbol, and I don't fit in the marketing plan. She probably felt it was career suicide."

Foster-Raymond describes Usher as a very romantic, caring partner and said that if they ever argued, it was about him leaving the family behind for work. And while she said their second child (Naviyd) was unplanned, she paints the period where Usher left to begin work on the new album earlier this year as the time when things began to fall apart.

"When I see my kids, I think of what should have been," she said of Naviyd and older brother Usher Raymond V. "I saw us growing old together. The world is probably saying, 'She's already old!' "

Foster-Raymond also described her near-death experience in February when she went into cardiac arrest when she was about to undergo liposuction in Brazil. She claims she was visiting an employee's son for his birthday and decided to have plastic surgery so she could have a flat stomach by Valentine's Day.

"I was in a coma for two days," she said. "I woke up, like, 'Where am I?' My husband was there. He was so sweet. He washed my hair and made sure I had quiet."

As for the 911 call Usher made September 11, in which he cited "potential domestic violence" the previous day, Foster-Raymond said she had no idea what the incident was about but questioned why she'd key a car registered in her name.

"I still love him very much, and I'm sure I always will," she said. "Do I want to be with him? I don't know."

• Usher

Gucci Mane and Usher's "Spotlight"
Photo: Big Cat Records

Gucci Mane's mingling with mainstream heavyweights is finally being channeled into his own projects. After appearing on records with the likes of Mariah Carey, the Black Eyed Peas and Mario over the past few months, Gucci — who was votest the #6 Hottest MC in the Game by MTV News recently — has corralled a marquee name to help kick off his own anticipated album: Usher appears on Mane's new single, "Spotlight." The song is from Gucci's The State vs. Radric Davis LP, which is slated for release in December.

"The spotlight ain't nothing without you girl," Usher sings over Polow Da Don's ATL-bounce beat. "And the dance floor ain't nothing without you, girl/ You a show-stopper/ Let's get it poppin'."

Gucci comes in with laid-back rhymes about his lifestyle.

"Slow-dancing in my mansion with no panties, wanna get there/ Three girls Gucci trippin'/ That's a lot of women," Mane spits. "Expensive denim jeans on ... I don't want no violence, but damn she trying to kill me/ She trying to make me feel her/ I'm trying to make her feel me."

Gucci and Usher shot a video for the song over the weekend in Atlanta. The clip was directed by Benny Boom and according to Gucci's camp, it's heavy on performance and club scenes. Young Money princess Nicki Minaj makes a cameo in the clip, and Gucc's leading lady comes straight from the bloodline of one of the most successful actors in Hollywood history: Bria Murphy, daughter of Eddie, is the woman who makes Gucci goes crazy in this one.

Gucci has been especially relentless when it comes to releasing music lately: Over the weekend, he put out three mixtapes dubbed the Cold War series in conjunction with DJs Drama, Scream and Holiday. And weekend before last, Gucci and Drama dropped The Burrprint (The Movie 3-D) mixtape.

• Gucci Mane
• Usher

Usher
Photo: MTV News

From the sound of things, Usher can't wait to sign those "Papers."

A recording of the 911 call the singer made last month to report that estranged wife Tameka Foster allegedly keyed his car leaked online on Thursday (October 15). During the call, which is streaming on TMZ, Usher revealed that the police had just visited his Atlanta home the night before when the two had a domestic dispute.

"I want to report a situation where my car has been keyed," Usher is heard saying, before the operator confirms that the call is regarding property damage. "Yes, property damage. It happened last night apparently. I called [last night] and filed a complaint because of a potential domestic violence [situation] between me and my ex-wife. She had come to my house. They sent the police here last night; we filed a complaint."

Usher goes on to explain that he found his car keyed the next day after someone came to service the vehicle for a flat tire. He said Foster followed him home and then fled the scene after police were called. Usher told the operator that his assistant and the service team then saw his car keyed the morning after.

"This story is totally preposterous," a rep for Foster told MTV News. "It did not happen. The car in question belongs and is registered to Tameka. Check out the registration number."

Usher, 30, and Foster, 38, have two young sons together from their marriage. According to documents obtained by TMZ, the September spat between Usher and Foster was initially over their children. Usher reportedly told police he believes his car was scratched in retaliation for the fight that occurred hours before.

Usher and Foster are splitting after nearly two years of marriage. The singer shocked fans by filing for divorce this past June amid reports that he and his wife hadn't lived under the same roof in months. Leading up to the divorce Usher was photographed often in Las Vegas, where he was working on new material with longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri.

In the past, Usher professed his love for Foster repeatedly and defended her from vicious rumors, most memorably in 2008 on "TRL." He also rushed to her wife's side earlier this year when Foster suffered a cardiac arrest following cosmetic surgery. By then, though, things may have been ending between the pair.

Last week, a new Usher song called "Papers" leaked online that perhaps pulled back the curtain on the Usher/Foster union.

"For you I gave my heart and turned my back against the world/ 'Cause you were my girl, girl, girl," Usher sings in the chorus. "I done damn near lost my mama, I done been through so much drama/ I done turned into the man I never thought I'd be/ I'm ready to sign them papers."

Sean Garrett, who helped pen the song, told MTV News that the song's subject matter was a sheer coincidence and had nothing to do with the superstar's divorce. But producer Bryan Michael Cox recently told us that Usher "really wants to express what's going on in his life" in his upcoming Raymond vs. Raymond album.

• Usher

Usher
Photo: Logan Fazio/ FilmMagic

Usher "damn near" lost his mama in the new song "Papers," but has he lost his touch when it comes to making classic albums? Producer, songwriter and longtime Ursh collaborator Bryan Michael Cox says if you're sleeping on his man, wake up. The upcoming Raymond vs. Raymond is going to be the album to talk about.

"I think Usher is in a place where he really wants to express what's going on in his life, as any artist would," Cox told MTV News, referring to Usher's divorce from Tameka Foster-Raymond. "All the greats did it. Marvin Gaye did Here, My Dear. All the greats express where they are personally. [Usher's] last album was that too. I think [the new album] is where we are going to see Usher as an artist. I'm very curious to hear what the rest of the album is going to sound like. Our records are definitely in that lane of touching on what's going on in his life, so we are going to see what's going to happen. I'm very excited about the album. I think he has a lot to say."

B. Cox said Usher is just one of many of several artists he's in the lab with these days. "Nelly to Mary J. Blige, Johnta Austin, Pleasure P, Musiq Soulchild — we're doing some things for Plies. I hope that sticks," he said.

Cox's main priority is his new artist, singer Bertell, who's got a new single called "She's Bad," featuring Bun B. That song is the follow-up to "Beat It Up."

"The main thing is, we from the same place," Cox explained of what attracted him to Bertell's music. "We're both form the southwest side of Houston. He's a little younger than me. We both speak the same language. His hustle is incredible. When we met, he had a song on the radio at 1,000 spins. He was doing it on his own. I was like, 'I need to get down with this cat.' He's talented. I think this cat is one of the up-and-coming guys."

• Usher

Usher
Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images

The last time Usher's art was inspired by his life, the singer went on to sell 10 million copies of his 2004 ode to breakups and make-ups, Confessions. If his new song "Papers" is any indication, his upcoming album Raymond vs. Raymond may break some sales records.

The track could be heard as a postmortem on his relationship with Tameka Foster-Raymond, from whom the singer filed for divorce in June after nearly two years of marriage. The pair, who have two children together, endured a contentious union filled with speculation over feuding and infidelity. On "Papers," Usher pulls back the curtain, revealing that a rumored rift between him and his mother was very real.

"For you I gave my heart and turned my back against the world/ 'Cause you were my girl, girl, girl," he sings on the chorus. "I done damn near lost my mama, I done been through so much drama/ I done turned into the man I never thought I'd be/ I'm ready to sign them papers."

Just weeks after the divorce, "Papers" songwriter Sean Garrett told MTV News that he and Usher worked on an "explosive" number about a breakup. Garrett claims, however, that the record was not directly inspired by real life; he said he wrote the song prior to the singer's divorce filing.

"Let's say I wrote a record for Usher three or four months ago where I really didn't have any idea of what he was going through personally. I work really hard at creating records I feel that's gonna fit like a glove to an artist," Garrett explained. "Me and Usher have a close relationship; I tend to sort of assist certain artists in giving them a direction, where I think they need to go in their next move. I felt that was the direction we needed to go. I felt that was the question everyone wanted to know: Was [his relationship] good or was it bad? Was it right? Are you happy or you're not?"

At the time of the divorce filing, Foster believed her marriage to Usher was intact, according to papers filed in an Atlanta court. In February her husband rushed to her aid after a botched cosmetic surgery resulted in Foster suffering a cardiac arrest. In better times, Usher defended his wife, most memorably during an appearance on MTV's "TRL."

But on "Papers," Usher paints a much different picture of the relationship, a far cry from wedded bliss. "I ain't afraid to say I got needs, but the only time you here for me/ Is when the bottles are popping and everything is sweet," he sings during a slow groove.

Originally titled Monster, Raymond vs. Raymond is tentatively slated to be released later this year.

• Usher

DJ Khaled
Photo: MTV News

Behind The Beats: DJ Khaled

"I'm in beast mode," DJ Khaled told Mixtape Daily when he stopped by to visit the 1515 Boys in a Champion hoodie and an extra scruffy beard.

You can't blame him for the look. The Miami don is hard at work on his next album, Victory, the fourth installment of his hit anthems. The project is slated for a 2010 release on his We the Best imprint with E1 Records.

Like a cocky chef who's confident in his skills, Khaled gave us some of the ingredients he's using to cook up Victory but was hush-hush when it came to what we can actually expect. The meal ain't ready yet — until then, he's gonna leave us starving.

"I worked with someone I never worked with before that I always wanted to work with," Khaled said coyly. "I won't tell you if it's one of my singles or one of the singles, 'cause I like that to be a surprise. But I did work with someone I always wanted to work with; his name is Usher. I did work with him, and I'm excited by that. I worked with someone [else] I never worked with before; his name is Drake. I'm a fan of his music. I think he's talented."

Of course, the Runners, Plies, Rick Ross and the rest of the Florida family are gonna be part of the album. Another big name that will be featured heavily on the project is Young Jeezy. Khaled said Mr. 17.5 will be a "major" part of Victory.

"I got everybody on there," Khaled boasted. "I'm giving you little vibes about what's going on. Jeezy is a major part of my album. We doing this, this album right here. I gave you 'We Takin' Over.' I gave you 'I'm So Hood.' I gave you 'Go Hard.' I gave you 'Holler at Me.' I do this. I make timeless music."

When it comes to putting his albums together, Khaled thinks of his collaborators like a team. He has his regulars — from Fat Joe to Ross — and on each album, he adds new players to the roster. Every artist Khaled reached out to this time put in some heavy work, going above and behind with their verses. That, in part, inspired the album title.

"People always think 'victory' is the win," Khaled explained. "To me, it's a struggle. It's a grind. It's a hustle, going through roadblocks. There's a lot of stuff [done] to get a victory. I feel like I'm at a point in my career right now where I'm at that victory point. Because I've been through so much, and I feel like the music I'm making is so powerful — because I make this music for the people."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

• Mixtape Daily: DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne, DMX, KRS-One And More

• DJ Khaled
• Usher
• Drake

Justin Bieber
Photo: MTV News

Justin Bieber is Usher's protégé, so one would think there's a good chance that his mentor might make an appearance Bieber's debut album, My World, which hits stores on November 17. But if he does, Bieber isn't exactly letting info about the collaboration out of the bag.

"You might just see Usher on the album — you'll have to see November 17," Bieber told MTV News. And as for any other collaborations, he also kept his answer vague: "Again, you'll have to see November 17."

The 15-year-old promises that although the album will sound a lot like his single "One Time," a catchy, up-tempo pop tune, it will also touch on subjects other than puppy love. "It's basically about my world and what I want in my worldkind of thing. ... There's a lot of different songs about girls. Yeah, a lot about girls," he added. "But there's a lot of stuff about real life and stuff that I've gone through. Just stuff [that] teens in general can relate to."

He says that his choice to sing about subjects that go deeper than teenage crushes stems from his own life experiences and the fact that he doesn't see enough of other artists his age doing that. "There are a lot of people, especially young artists, that are just, like, they make songs that are cookie cutter — everything is perfect — and real-life things aren't perfect," he explained.

"There's a song on my album called 'Down to Earth' that is just, like, my relationship with my dad and how my mom and dad split up ... at a very young age," he continued. "So there's just a lot of stuff that they can relate to and it's just going to be a lot of fun."

• Justin Bieber
• Usher

Justin Bieber
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images

Justin Bieber is poised to become pop music's next big thing, thanks to his rabid Internet fanbase. And at 15, he's already been sought after by Justin Timberlake and Usher. Usher eventually won the label bidding war and signed the young artist, who has more than 200,000 fans following him on Twitter.

But that doesn't mean he's a household name just yet. That all could change once he steps onto the red carpet at the Video Music Awards on Sunday. So how did he make it to this point in his career?

"My manager found me on YouTube," he told MTV News. "He actually flew me out to Atlanta for the first time. I was going to the studio to meet some people."

But that initial encounter didn't work out the way he might have wanted it to. "Usher happens to roll up in his Range Rover, so I was like, 'Man, that's Usher.' So I ran up to him." Unfortunately, Usher turned down the chance to hear Justin sing right there on the spot. But the "Yeah!" singer eventually came around.

"He actually watched my videos and was like, 'Man, I should have let this kid sing,' " he said. "And he flew me back to Atlanta. I got to sing for him, and then a week later, I had a meeting with Justin Timberlake. They both kind of wanted me."

People are still competing to win Bieber's attention, but now they're the ones posting videos online. Come VMA night, the fan who posts the video Bieber likes the most will get a shout-out on the red carpet. (Want to be that person? Let us know why you're Justin Bieber's biggest fan!)

"Being able to have them all participate just makes me feel good," he said about the contest. "Having them make videos for me is awesome. I mean, without my fans, I wouldn't be here, so I definitely am thankful for my fans. You guys keep coming up with the videos. They're awesome, so just keep coming with them."

Watch the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards Preshow this Sunday, September 13, at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the big event, live at 9 p.m. Check out our interactive map of New York to see how the city is celebrating the VMAs all week long, and stay tuned for party coverage, concert reports, behind-the-scenes updates and more.

• Discovering Justin Bieber

• Justin Bieber Works The Crowds

• Usher
• Justin Timberlake
• Justin Bieber

Halle Berry, Mary J. Blige, More At The 6th Annual Black Ball

• Usher
• Mary J. Blige

Mariah Carey, Usher, More Stars Scheduled To Appear At Michael Jackson's Memorial

• Usher
• Mariah Carey
• John Mayer
• Stevie Wonder
• Jennifer Hudson

The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Miranda Cosgrove, More Arrive At 2009 Kids' Choice Awards

• Jonas Brothers
• Miley Cyrus
• Miranda Cosgrove
• Vanessa Hudgens
• Ashley Tisdale

Be The Change: Youth Inaugural Ball Photos

• Kanye West
• Fall Out Boy
• Usher
• Kid Rock

Beyonce, U2, Usher, More Perform At "We Are One" Inaugural Concert

• U2
• Beyoncé
• Will.I.Am
• Usher
• Shakira

Usher Kicks Off His One Night Stand Tour In Atlantic City

• Usher

T.I., Young Jeezy, Kanye West And More At Atlanta's Birthday Bash 2008

• T.I.
• Young Jeezy
• Webbie
• Game
• Plies

Madonna, Usher, More Perform At Radio 1's Big Weekend In England

• Madonna
• Usher
• Robyn
• Duffy
• The Feeling

Kids' Choice Awards In L.A.

• Usher
• Rihanna
• Ashlee Simpson
• Fallout Boy
• Akon

2008 Grammy Awards Performers And Presenters

• Foo Fighters
• Beyoncé
• Rihanna
• Aretha Franklin
• Mary J. Blige