25th February, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Award-winning RnB singer, Usher Raymond, has revealed that he collaborated with Nigerian artists, Burna Boy and Pheelz, in his latest album because he wants to be part of the Afrobeats rush.
Usher became the latest Western artist to catch the Afrobeats wave when he featured Pheelz in ‘Ruin,’ the lead song of his latest album, and Burna Boy in the album titled track, ‘Homecoming’.
Speaking in a recent interview with Apple Music, Usher said Pheelz played a role in his collaboration with Burna Boy.
He said, “I am all about collaboration and bringing African, you know, Nigerian culture to my own world. Their music is really popular now. I wanted to be part of it [Afrobeats], that’s why I went to Africa to make this album.
“I picked up things when I was in Ghana. I picked up things when I was in Nigeria. And working with Pheelz, he created the record [‘Homecoming’].
“I just felt that Burna Boy would take it to a different level of credibility. I really do enjoy him as an artist. I just felt that this song would only be lifted better if he was part of it.”
Pheelz was featured in ‘Ruins’ off Usher’s latest album, ‘Homecoming.’
Speaking about his experience working with Usher in a recent interview with Apple Music, Pheelz said the collaboration with the American singer is a testament to the power of dreams and how far Nigerian music has gone.
He said Usher was his role model growing up in Nigeria.
“I would listen to Usher almost every day growing up. I literally dived into his albums and learned from him. And to be able to write, produce, and teach him [Usher] in a way, it shows me how far the [Nigerian] music has gone. It shows me how far dreams can go as well,” Pheelz said.