Podcast: "Caught Up" (The BackBeat)

This week on The Backbeat, we get into Usher's herpes scandal, R. Kelly's cult, Jay Z's 444 & Tidal issues, and Justin Bieber being banned from China.

Also make sure you tune into the end of the episode when we get into our songs of the moment from Meek Mill, 2 Chainz, Sza, Demi Lovato, and Cardi B.

Podcast: "Dey Know" (The BackBeat)

This week on The Backbeat, we get into Mary J Blige singing to Hillary Clinton, Solange dropping her new album A Seat At the Table, as well as new music from The Weeknd. We also talk about Tinashe exposing sexism within the music industry and give a shout out to Shawty Lo who recently passed away in ATL.

Be sure to tune into the end of the episode where Kyera gives us songs of the moment from Shawty Lo, Usher and Mac Miller. Marcus also gives us some jams from SZA, SG Lewis featuring Gallant and a collaboration between Yuna and Usher.

Enjoy!

Cut: "Slow Jam" (Usher & Monica)

Back in 1997, Usher released his sophomore album "My Way" and while the effort is best known for his hit singles "You Make Me Wanna...," "Nice & Slow" and the title-track "My Way," his cut with Monica, "Slow Jam" is one of those classic 90s jams that true fans of Usher and Monica jam to on the regular.

With that said, take a listen after the jump to Usher's cut "Slow Jam," featuring Monica and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Climax" (Jessie J)

While Jessie J is currently reworking sophomore album Alive for release later this year here in the States, I thought it might be nice to revisit one of her sublime covers that she offered up during the fall of 2012 in London before she began rocking her new look.

While Jessie J cut her hair off  in support of charity and to begin the new album cycle with Alive, before she began this career transformation, Jessie J offered up a sublime cover of Usher's thumping-award-winning joint "Climax." With that said, watch her powerful performance of "Climax" from 2012's iTunes Festival and Enjoy!

Cut: "Papers" (Usher)

Back in 2009, Usher released "Papers" as a buzz single for his sixth studio album Raymond v. Raymond. Written by Usher, Alonzo "Gorilla Zoe" Mathis, Sean Garrett and Zaytoven, and was produced by the latter two, it was released to U.S. urban and rhythmic radio stations on October 12, 2009, and subsequently available for digital download on October 16, 2009.

The song received positive reviews from critics who compared the track to his previous work, and embraced the lyrical content of the song. The song peaked at number thirty-one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, giving Usher his tenth number one song on the chart.

With that said, take a listen below to Usher's cut "Papers" and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "Nice & Slow" (Usher)

Back in 1998, Usher released "Nice & Slow" as the second single from his sophomore LP My Way and the Jermaine Dupri produced track would go onto become Usher's first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100.

Featuring background vocals from Jagged Edge and written by  Brian & Brandon Casey of Jagged Edge in addition to Manuel Seal Jr., Jermaine Dupri and Usher, "Nice & Slow" is one of those classic 90s joints that warrants a second listen after the jump.

Second Listen: "My Boo" (Usher & Alicia Keys)

A decade ago, Usher and Alicia Keys released their duet "My Boo" as the fourth single from Usher's Confessions (2004). Featured on the re-release of his diamond-selling LP, Jermaine Dupri produced the song and co-wrote it along with Usher, Keys, Adonis Shropshire and Manuel Seal, Jr..

Staying atop the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks, the song ranked as the 24th biggest song of 2004 and for the decade of 2000-2009, it placed 36th among the top 100 songs of the decade. Still a jam and classic in its own right, I can't believe its been almost a decade since this one first hit the airwaves.

With that said, take a second listen below to Usher and Alicia Keys' collaboration "My Boo" as both Keys and Usher are busy working on new material for release!

Cut: "Slow Jam" (Usher & Monica)

Back in 1997, Usher released his sophomore album "My Way" and while the effort is best known for his hit singles "You Make Me Wanna...," "Nice & Slow" and the title-track "My Way," his cut with Monica, "Slow Jam" is one of those classic 90s jams that true fans of Usher and Monica jam to on the regular.

With that said, take a listen after the jump to Usher's cut "Slow Jam," featuring Monica and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "Nice & Slow" (Usher)

Back in 1998, Usher released "Nice & Slow" as the second single from his sophomore LP My Way and the Jermaine Dupri produced track would go onto become Usher's first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100.

Featuring background vocals from Jagged Edge and written by  Brian & Brandon Casey of Jagged Edge in addition to Manuel Seal Jr., Jermaine Dupri and Usher, "Nice & Slow" is one of those classic 90s joints that warrants a second listen below and Enjoy!

Cut: "Papers" (Usher)

Back in 2009, Usher released "Papers" as a buzz single for his sixth studio album Raymond v. Raymond. Written by Usher, Alonzo "Gorilla Zoe" Mathis, Sean Garrett and Zaytoven, and was produced by the latter two, it was released to U.S. urban and rhythmic radio stations on October 12, 2009, and subsequently available for digital download on October 16, 2009.

The song received positive reviews from critics who compared the track to his previous work, and embraced the lyrical content of the song. The song peaked at number thirty-one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, giving Usher his tenth number one song on the chart.

With that said, take a listen below to Usher's cut "Papers" and Enjoy!

Remix: "Good Kisser (Disclosure Remix)" (Usher)

After teasing a collaboration with Usher, Disclosure have released a phenomenal remix to Usher's current single "Good Kisser" and this EDM makeover of Usher's R&B joint is a sublime new offering from the UK duo.

With that said, take a few minutes to enjoy Disclosure's remix to Usher's "Good Kisser" in the form of "Good Kisser (Disclosure Remix)" below and and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Climax" (Jessie J)

While Jessie J is currently reworking sophomore album Alive for release later this year here in the States, I thought it might be nice to revisit one of her sublime covers that she offered up during the fall of 2012 in London before she began rocking her new look.

While Jessie J cut her hair off  in support of charity and to begin the new album cycle with Alive, before she began this career transformation, Jessie J offered up a sublime cover of Usher's thumping-award-winning joint "Climax." With that said, watch her powerful performance of "Climax" from 2012's iTunes Festival and Enjoy!

Live Clip: "BET Medley" (Usher)

Earlier tonight at Nokia Live here in Los Angeles, the 2014 BET Awards aired and Usher offered one of the most talked about performances of the night. Going through his arsenal of hits that span a career of almost 20 years, Usher had the crowd on their feet.

Offering what I thought was one of the best performances of the night, Usher's hits medley will take you back to early hits like "Nice & Slow" and will even give you a few bangers from his Confessions era. With that said, peep Usher's BET medley below and Enjoy!

Remix: "Good Kisser" (Usher)

While Usher's 'comeback' single "Good Kisser" has only been out for a week, it's been building a lot of momentum with fans and casual listeners and already has a few remixes out.

With that said, Sydney based producer Nehzuil has taken on Usher's latest single and crafted his own inspiring take with the addition of some keys, horns as well as a few breakdowns that create Nehzuil's own signature blend on Usher's next hit single.

Therefore, take a listen below to this new remix to Usher's "Good Kisser" and if you like what you hear, cop the free download while supplies last.

Second Listen: "My Boo" (Usher & Alicia Keys)

Almost a decade ago, Usher and Alicia Keys released their duet "My Boo" as the fourth single from Usher's Confessions (2004). Featured on the re-release of his diamond-selling LP, Jermaine Dupri produced the song and co-wrote it along with Usher, Keys, Adonis Shropshire and Manuel Seal, Jr..

Staying atop the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks, the song ranked as the 24th biggest song of 2004 and for the decade of 2000-2009, it placed 36th among the top 100 songs of the decade. Still a jam and classic in its own right, I can't believe its been almost a decade since this one first hit the airwaves.

With that said, take a second listen below to Usher and Alicia Keys' collaboration "My Boo" and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "Nice & Slow" (Usher)

Back in 1998, Usher released "Nice & Slow" as the second single from his sophomore LP My Way and the Jermaine Dupri produced track would go onto become Usher's first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100.

Featuring background vocals from Jagged Edge and written by  Brian & Brandon Casey of Jagged Edge in addition to Manuel Seal Jr., Jermaine Dupri and Usher, "Nice & Slow" is one of those classic 90s joints that warrants a second listen after the jump.

Behind the Scenes: "Usher and Jill Scott: The Secret Weapon"

While I haven't been able to follow NBC's The Voice this season, I am excited that vocal phenom Jill Scott has found her onto the hit show and that she is aiding Team Usher.

With that said, as a digital exclusive and behind-the-scenes feature, Usher opens up as to why Jill Scott was a perfect choice to his team as a mentor/advisor as well as showing the duo in action. Watch this behind-the-scenes feature below and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "There Goes My Baby" (Sebastian Mikael)

Yesterday, ThisIsRnB partnered up with artist-on-the-rise Sebastian Mikael ("Last Night" featuring Wale" and the R&B ballad "Forever") for a Valentine's Day treat as the famed singer/songwriter covered Usher's "There Goes My Baby," which earned Usher a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, at the 53rd Grammy Awards in 2011.

With that said, Sebastian's live in-studio performance from Harlem is a solid take on Usher's modern classic hit and if you didn't catch it yesterday, watch it go down below as Sebastian croons out a sublime rendition of "There Goes My Baby" in my book.

Cut: "Dive" (Usher)

Back in 2012, Usher released his seventh studio album Looking 4 Myself and the fifth and final single lifted from the set was Usher's "Dive," which was written and produced by Rico Love, Jim Jonsin, Danny Morris and Frank Romano.

Upon the release of Looking 4 Myself, the song debuted at number 50 on the South Korea Gaon International Chart, with sales of 6,546 digital copies. "Dive" would also go onto peaked at number 34 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, remaining on the chart for twelve weeks before dropping out.

With that said, take a listen below to Usher's cut "Dive" and lookout for him on the upcoming season of The Voice.

Cut: "Papers" (Usher)

Back in 2009, Usher released "Papers" as a buzz single for his sixth studio album Raymond v. Raymond. Written by Usher, Alonzo "Gorilla Zoe" Mathis, Sean Garrett and Zaytoven, and was produced by the latter two, it was released to U.S. urban and rhythmic radio stations on October 12, 2009, and subsequently available for digital download on October 16, 2009.

The song received positive reviews from critics who compared the track to his previous work, and embraced the lyrical content of the song. The song peaked at number thirty-one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, giving Usher his tenth number one song on the chart.

With that said, take a listen below to Usher's cut "Papers" and Enjoy!