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 … a minimum of, that is how producer Rico Love remembers it.
The adorned singer/songwriter was a current visitor on Home Grown Radio the place he regarded again at his first huge break — writing the “Throwback” track on Usher’s chart-topping “Confessions” album, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this yr.
Home Grown Radio
Rico says he was available when Usher first heard the demo to “Yeah!,” written by Sean Garrett, which initially did not impress the R&B megastar … who flat-out refused to report the observe.
Rico admits he additionally thought the track was corny — he says the opening lyrics, “Up within the membership with my homies/Tryin’ to get somewhat V.I./Keep it down on the low-key” … made him fall on the ground laughing.
On the opposite hand, Reid — who was the President of Arista Records on the time — heard successful and demanded Usher push the track 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***** track” and hung up on him instantly after!!!
The robust 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 track for hundreds of thousands through the Super Bowl!!!