Usher, JAY-Z , Pharrell Williams and Diddy.Photo:Karwai Tang/WireImage (2), Eugene Gologursky/Getty, Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Karwai Tang/WireImage (2), Eugene Gologursky/Getty, Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Usheris reflecting on a time when he really did get “Caught Up.”
During the 45-year-old R&B superstar’s latest sit-down on “Club Shay Shay,” Usher revealed that he,JAY-Z,DiddyandPharrell Williamswere “supposed” to form a music supergroup, but plans eventually fell through.
“You gon’ hate me for this one," he said. “JAY-Z, Pharrell, Diddy, and me was supposed to be a group. Yeah, that’s crazy. You gon' hate me for that I know.”
Usher performs in Las Vegas in July 2022.Denise Truscello/Getty
Denise Truscello/Getty
After clarifying that he didn’t say “no” or “yeah,” the “Yeah” singer explained that he felt the quartet “just got caught up in the moment.”
Usher, Pharrell, 50, JAY-Z, 54, and Diddy, 54, have all worked together extensively before. While Diddy and Usher first met in the ’90s, Usher has gone on to record tracks like “U Don’t Have to Call” with Pharrell, “Hot Tottie” with JAY-Z and “I Need a Girl (Part One)” with Diddy. Hov and Pharrell’s work has extended to hits like “Excuse Me Miss” and “Frontin'.”
“We was talking about it and having secret meetings about it, talking about music and how we gon' flip it,” Usher said. “The business of it. And somehow man, we just got distracted. And it never happened. That’s the one that I actually wish would have happened.”
Pharrell Williams attends the Louis Vuitton Womenswear Fall Winter 2023-2024 show in March 2023.Marc Piasecki/WireImage
Marc Piasecki/WireImage
Also in conversation with Sharpe, Usher explained that he regretted missing out on a role in 2006’sDreamgirls,the Bill Condon-directed film featuringBeyoncé, Jamie Foxx,Jennifer Hudson,Eddie Murphyand Anika Noni Rose. The movie itself and its cast went on earn two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes.
“David Geffen reached out to me to be inDreamgirls. Yeah man, it just didn’t happen. Everybody hit me about this joint, too,” Usher said. “I had Eddie Murphy hit me,Brandyhit me.”
After Sharpe argued that “there’s always a reason” and asked Usher to clarify if he turned it down himself, the musician simply added that he “didn’t do” the film.
“Drink to that,” Usher joked.
Football fans are almost a week away from seeing the eight-time Grammy winner take on the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show on Feb. 11. And while Usher’s supergroup with JAY-Z may be in the past, he did get the legendary rapper’s cosign for the big show.
Speaking to Apple Music 1 afterthe Super Bowl announcement in September, Usher revealed that Hov, who he called his his “big homie,” called him personally to congratulate him on the milestone. Usher’s 2024 performance marks Roc Nation’s fifth Super Bowl halftime show under its NFL partnership.
“But when I got this call… he said, ‘It’s time, it’s magic time. You know, it’s time for you to have that moment.’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?'” Usher recalled of his conversation with JAY-Z. “He’s like, ‘The Super Bowl.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, you ready? Absolutely.'”
source: people.com
