Usher‘s greatest hit single, “Yeah!” virtually did not occur, if not for his label boss L.A. Reid threatening him like a mob boss … not less than, that is how producer Rico Love remembers it.
The adorned singer/songwriter was a current visitor on Dwelling Grown Radio the place he appeared again at his first huge break — writing the “Throwback” music on Usher’s chart-topping “Confessions” album, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this yr.
Dwelling Grown Radio
Rico says he was readily available when Usher first heard the demo to “Yeah!,” written by Sean Garrett, which initially didn’t impress the R&B megastar … who flat-out refused to report the observe.
Rico admits he additionally thought the music was corny — he says the opening lyrics, “Up in the club with my homies/Tryin’ to get a little V.I./Keep it down on the low-key” … made him fall on the ground laughing.
Alternatively, Reid — who was the President of Arista Data on the time — heard successful and demanded Usher push the music out forward of the unique first single, “Burn.”
TMZ Studios
When Usher pushed again additional, Rico says Reid did not give him a lot of an possibility and advised him to “do the f***** song” and hung up on him instantly after!!!
The powerful love paid off in plaques … “Yeah!” topped the charts for 12 weeks straight, and “Confessions” went on to be licensed Diamond. Rico calls it nice A&R’ing.
This Sunday would be the final told-ya-so second when Usher (and presumably Lil Jon and Ludacris) rock the music for hundreds of thousands through the Tremendous Bowl!!!