The 2012 BET Awards ceremony is being hosted this evening at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and several of the industry’s biggest stars are launching onto the stage. Celebrating the accomplishments of black artists, the show features performances by several major acts such as Chris Brown, Kanye West, Brandy and Usher.
Although the sales predictions for Justin Bieber’s ‘Believe’ debut were grossly overshot, the teenage still managed to nab the top slot of the Billboard 200. Meanwhile, on the Billboard Hot 100, Rihanna also clocked impressive figures as she surged into the chart’s top 5.
With each new generation of performers, the music industry is propelled forward with the addition of fresh talent. However, these artists stand on the shoulders of giants and in some cases they don’t only continue the legacy of their predecessors; they relive it.
The sales predictions for Usher’s ‘Looking 4 Myself’ have proven to be accurate as the crossover superstar’s album has entered the Billboard 200 at #1 but with meager sales. However, where Usher made waves - well, ripples – on one chart, Katy Perry did the same on another listing with ‘Wide Awake’.
Did you know that Aaliyah, Brandy, Usher and Monica all released their debut singles before they were 16 years of age?
Rick Ross and Usher previously expressed their chemistry in the visual for ‘Lemme See’ and now the duo are now back with the new video for the former’s ‘Touch’N You’. The song is the latest single to be taken off Ross’ new album, ‘God Forgives, I Don’t’, which is set to hit stores July 31st.
When Usher first announced that he was working on his ‘Looking 4 Myself’ album, he boasted that the record would introduce the new genre of Revolutionary Pop. However, the material on the LP is far from innovative and is simply demonstrative of an artist who has mastered his sound.
Usher premiered his new video for ‘Lemme See’ earlier this evening on BET’s ’106 & Park’. The steamy clip features an appearance by Hip-Hop heavyweight Rick Ross who proudly flaunted his full breasts for the cameras.
Usher’s promotional campaign for his ‘Looking 4 Myself’ album is an international affair. For instance, the R&B/Pop crooner Usher BBC Radio 1Xtra’s ‘Live Lounge’ to perform ‘Scream’ and Foster the People’s ‘Pumped Up Kicks’.
Usher’s ‘Raymond vs Raymond’ album entered the Billboard 200 at #1 in April 2010 with sales exceeding 329K copies. However, despite the fact that he is predicted to top the chart again with his new LP, ‘Looking 4 Myself’, the singer will experience a sizable dip in commercial impact.