Looking mature and dapper Usher poses for the cover of this months Billboard Magazine. The R&B superstar opens up to the magazine about his forthcoming album “Raymond Vs. Raymond,” his recent divorce and overall thoughts on the industry. So far he has found success with the singles “Hey Daddy” and “O.M.G.” which was recently released and produced by Will.I.Am.

Usher admits to Billboard that his last album “Here I Stand,” focused more on his marriage and less about maintaining what he had achieved in his ten year-plus career. Raymond states he wants to be back on top.

“I went all the way into being super husband and super dad, thinking, ‘I’ve got to be serious all the time. I’ve got to be the man. I put my swagger down for a minute, but I didn’t throw it away, now it’s time to get it back.”

Is Ciara Usher’s Latest “Little Freak”?

During the course of additional songwriter and producer collaborations with Sean Garrett, the Runners, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Ester Dean and Jive labelmate Miguel, Usher keyed in on the “Raymond Vs. Raymond” concept.

“People immediately thought, ‘Oh, damn, he’s about to talk about what happened in his marriage. But it would be too shortsighted to just talk about my relationship. A lot of the things I spoke about on ‘Confessions’ weren’t my own experiences. It was an outlet for stories I’d heard.”

Mark Pitts, who A&R’d the project and is president of black music for Jive Label Group also speaks,

” ‘Papers’ let everyone know that Usher knew what everyone was saying about him, his marriage and his relationship with his mom; that he understood what was being said. It was just to make a statement. We didn’t realize it would be as big as it was.”

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Usher adds,

“The song wasn’t intended to glorify my personal situation or people breaking up. I didn’t know if it was going to be the single or part of the album. I just thought it was a special track that would represent me well.”

READ THE COVER STORY HERE!

Which one of these girls is fierce enough to win the 14th cycle of America’s Next Top Model? It premieres tonight at 8pm on the CW!

Alasia:
18, from Marietta, Ga. You won’t be able to miss Alasia. She’s a bit of an ugly duckling, but Tyra has supermodel sight. She flips her wig when Tyra makes her first appearance and she has a bit of a split personality.

Krista:
25, from Pine Bluff, Ark. She has her eyes set on the prize. She has tried out four or five times and she knows her age probably makes this her last chance. A couple of the girls instantly get on her nerves. In judging panel, she explains why she hasn’t dated Caucasian men and it looks like Miss J. is going to need CPR.

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New ANTM Judge Andre Leon Talley Pressured To Lose Weight

Simone:
19-year-old from Lenexa, Kansas. She says she is very happy with how things turned out for her in the ANTM competition and describes herself as being seen as very ’safe’ and ‘boring’ when she first entered the model house—but her makeover turned her into a more ‘edgy’ girl. Sounds like she could be one to watch.

Gabrielle:
18, from St. Louis. Her racial mix has made for quite a stunning look. Once she opens her mouth, though, she’s a bit of a turnoff. She has issues for days over race and men. All that masks a girl who is probably one of the most self-informed contestants on the modeling industry that we’ve seen on the series.

Dear Erykah Badu,

What exactly is this that you posted on your website today?

Am I really watching a 5 minute video of you putting on make-up while your brand new single (which I love, by the way) “Window Seat” plays?

Why am I kinda in a trance?

Remember that Jamie Foxx bit where he talks about not looking Prince directly in the eye because he’d put a spell on you?

Yeah, I think that just might’ve been the case with this video.

Huh?   You want me to put on this funky lookin shirt?

I dunno about that…

I saw what happened with Common and Andre 3000.

This shirt really ain’t my style.

Well… does it come in large?

Sincerely,

Bill Johnson

Shout out to Rap Radar for ripping the video.

RELATED: VIDEO: Erykah Badu Performing “Window Seat” On Jimmy Fallon

RELATED: THE LEAK: Erykah Badu “Agitation” & “Don’t Be Long” (Radio Rip)

UPDATE:

NeNe’s PR folks are hard at work. They just sent out this press release regarding her son Bryson’s arrest.

LOS ANGELES – NeNe Leakes from Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” releases the following statement about the recent arrest of her son, Bryson Bryant:

“Like any parent, I am disappointed with the actions and arrest of my son, Bryson. Certainly, my husband and I will deal with this family issue in a private manner. My son is not the first young adult to experiment with marijuana, and he certainly won’t be the last. Still, as parents, this is a chance for us to have an open dialogue with him about the dangers of any substance abuse. I realize as a parent that my job is never done. And as I’ve tweeted, tough love was in order. Still, I ask that you respect our privacy during this trying time.” – NeNe Leakes

___

“Real Housewives” NeNe’s Son Arrested On Drug Charge”

One of NeNe Leakes sons has been arrested on a drug charge.  According to radaronline.com, Bryson Bryant, one of NeNe’s two sons, is in the Gwinnett County Detention Center with two charges listed against him, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and failure to appear.

NeNe is know for her charity work against domestic violence.

RHOA voted highest rated show on Bravo

Is this the newest ATL’s housewife?

In this clip, writer and critic Stanley Crouch notes the wide separation, even appearance-wise, that exists between actress Gabourey Sidibe and the character of Precious.

He’s not the first to mention this: A lot of the praise for Sidibe’s acting ability has been framed around how much more confident, vivacious, funny, and positive she is than her character, and what a serious transformation she achieved in playing the role. Do you see any of Precious in Gabby, or vice versa? Tell us what you think in the comments!

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VIDEO: Gabourey On Gerard Butler: “I’d Hit That”

GALLERY: Eddie Murphy Takes His Lady To The Lakers Game

Check them out hitting the streets of L.A.:

GALLERY: Eddie Murphy’s Daughter Is Now A Model??

Take a look at more photos of Bria:

GALLERY: Nicole Murphy In St. Lucia

Jennifer Hudson’s “Got Milk?” Ad

Check out photos of JHud :

Was JHud Sexually Violated At Airport?

‘The Blind Side’ may have earned several Academy Award nominations and a Best Actress win for Sandra Bullock this past weekend, but Vanessa Williams is clearly no fan of the movie. Williams said on ‘The View’ that the film, which depicts a homeless African-American youngster who is adopted by an affluent white family, does little to improve race relations.

Williams argued that film only reinforces the notion that African-Americans need whites in order to succeed.

Do YOU agree?

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GALLERY: Vanessa Williams & More Stars Shine At The 2009 Emmy Awards

GLAM OR GROSS? Vanessa Williams: Styled By A Drag Queen?

L.A. Reid was scheduled to give a speech at a music event this week but canceled.  He says his son was sick but sources say he wanted to avoid questions about his future at the label.

If you haven’t heard, it has been reported that the Chairman and CEO is in danger of being fired from Def Jam.

Today, on Page Six, they repeated the rumor saying Reid was under tremendous pressure to produce some hits after lackluster sales from Rihanna and Mariah Carey.

Anyway, L.A. was supposed to speak at the $1,000-a-seat Billboard symposium, where all the top music industry players would be, but he backed out at the last minute.

Even if he isn’t about to face termination, his plan for success doesn’t sound too promising. A source told The Post,

“L.A. had to cancel because he was called away on family business, not because his son was ill. That was just a story that went around. He isn’t afraid to answer questions about his future with the label. He is about to sign J.Lo [Jennifer Lopez] and isn’t going anywhere.”

Jennifer just got dropped from her longtime label, Epic Records. She claims she’s the one who left.

GALLERY: Clive Davis & L.A. Reid’s Grammy Galas

Usher’s New Chick Fired From Def Jam!’

A Lady Gaga hater, or Kelis fan, has sent their very own collage into Necole Bitchie, comparing the two songstresses styles, and declaring Nas’ baby mama the queen of originality!

We’ve seen this comparison before, but it was with Rihanna. After all, Kelis perfected that iconic shaved-head haircut years before RiRi, Cassie, Lala, Mel B., Raven Symone and co. did.

Do you agree?

Kelis Shuts Down Rihanna’s “Swagger Jackin’” Rumors

Kelis’ “Fleshtone” Promo Pic