Usher announces 'Raymond v. Raymond' follow-up for August release

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Grammy-winning R&B singer Usher is set to release a new album that is being called "the final chapter of Raymond vs. Raymond," according to a July 8 press release. The new eight-song album, Versus, will be out on August 24.

Released in spring 2010, Raymond V. Raymond is Usher's third consecutive number one album in the US and also peaked in the top ten in US, the UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and on the European Top 100 chart. The album has spawned the hit singles "Papers," "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)," "Lil Freak" featuring Nikki Minaj, "There Goes My Baby," and most recently the summer hit "OMG" featuring will.i.am.

Versus is being called a sequel to Raymond, which included songs about the artist juggling his professional and personal lives. In the new album, Usher will explore the subjects of being newly single and a father. The new set will include his current R&B hit "There Goes My Baby" and collaborations with Bun B, producer Polow Da Don, among others.

Versus' lead single, "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love" featuring Pitbull and produced by Max Martin, is due to hit airwaves in the coming weeks. "Hot Tottie" produced by the hitmaker Polow, will then follow in August, preceding the full album release on August 24.

On the same day that Versus is released, fans will be able to buy the album in a deluxe edition that will include all 22 songs from Raymond V. Raymond as well as Versus.

Usher is currently on tour in Asia, with concerts scheduled throughout July in Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Beijing, and Macau.

http://www.usherworld.com