Usher talks 'OMG' tour, filling Michael Jackson's shoes and why he won't perform forever

Usher has one thing on his mind with his latest tour: leaving his audiences saying, "OMG."

“That’s the whole point. You know, with an incredible record, I wanted to also leave a great impression. Live performance has always been my thing. It’s my purpose to master and capture the moment every time I have you connected,” the 32-year-old says of his tour, which hits Staples Center on Thursday.

“I wanted to make sure [the show] was state of the art. I wanted to make sure that in comparison to the other shows that are going on around the world, you get the type of experience that leaves you saying, ‘OMG.’ ”

The "OMG" tour, aptly titled after the will.i.am-produced smash from this year’s “Raymond v. Raymond,” marks the Atlanta native's (born Usher Raymond IV) return to arenas, his first big-budget spectacle since 2004’s “Truth Tour.” The trek supports the platinum-selling disc, which followed a bitter public divorce and launching of his protégé, pop phenom Justin Bieber, as well as the recently released companion EP “Versus.” Both discs were seen as critical comebacks after the lukewarm reception of 2008’s “Here I Stand.”

Raymond, always the consummate performer, said he was looking to up the ante with this tour. And judging from Pop & Hiss’ glimpse at his Anaheim show Sunday, he has. The futuristic-themed high concept show is heavy on the theatrics. Between hovering atop a platform suspended 50 feet above the audience, high-flying acrobatics and, of course, impressive footwork, he pulls off quite a show.

“A lot of time and technical practice has gone into it. So expect a show that’s above and beyond what you normally would get from Usher,” he said a few weeks before the tour's launch. “My point is to artistically take people on a journey they might not otherwise be able to experience, meaning the dance and everything that I’ve created that has been planned for this tour.”

For much of his nearly 16-year career, he’s appeared to be groomed as the successor to Michael Jackson, especially since  Jackson's death. Raymond isn't facing much competition for the title; Chris Brown is still trying to repair his damaged image, and Justin Timberlake has become a viable movie star.

The show confirms that not only does Raymond believe he’s inherited the crown, but also that he’s a worthy heir to Jackson’s glitter-studded shoes -– the latter of which he literally fills during one point in the show when a sparkling black pair of high-top sneakers mysteriously appear onstage. After announcing to the audience that “when I put these things on,  I just ... turn into a ... animal,” he launchess into a moonwalk, almost conjuring Jackson's ghost.

“You know, we lost Michael Jackson. A lot of pressure is on me, and I don’t mind taking it,” he said later. “The overarching impression that I’d like to leave is that, you know, this guy is really stepping it up to a level where people can hopefully compare him to people like [Jackson], and great entertainers of the past.”   

Though the tour does offer a startling number of visual nods to “This Is It,” Jackson’s would-be last hurrah, Raymond isn’t so sure he wants to tour as he ages, having told the New York Times earlier this year: “Hopefully, at 40, I won’t have to be on the stage.”

“I’ll be able to still do that until I’m 50,” he clarified. “I’m seasoned, baby. [But] I would never want to feel as though that’s my only option. So, at 50, I hope that all the business that I’ve built allows me to go and hit the stage at my discretion, of course still wanting to. You know, you look at the Grateful Dead and the Rolling Stones and AC/DC … ABBA, they’ve been touring forever, right?”

Though he might not be aware that a few of those aforementioned groups have long given up on touring, he points to the grueling wear and tear of touring as the main motivation to walk away from it eventually.

“I give it all. I leave it on the stage. I give you the energy. I basically tear myself apart emotionally, energetically,” he said. “I mean, I’m breaking my back every night. I can’t tell you everything, but I will tell you that it is definitely an extremely physical show, and my body is taking a beating on a nightly basis. At 50, I don’t plan on continuing to do that.”

Usher, with Miguel and Trey Songz, at Staples Center; 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are  $29.50-$125, not including surcharges.

-- Gerrick D. Kennedy
twitter.com/GerrickKennedy

Photos: (Top) Usher. Credit: Gero Breloer / Associated Press

(Bottom) Usher performs during the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre in September. Credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Comments

[ann]

Usher is a joke. Mj is the king forever

[vana]

Michael Jackson felt exactly the same way about touring which is why it took so long to get him back on stage in concert mode while turning 50. Michael said that he went through hell touring. Usher is saying the same thing basically and like Michael didn't want to be on stage at age 50. Yes Usher Raymond IV is a worthy successor to fill the late great Michael Jackson's shoes. I wish him luck in his OMG tour and for the rest of his brilliant career. No one will ever fill Michael Jackson's shoe but Usher Raymond IV comes pretty damn close.

[CuriousOne]

I swear. If you don't quit trying to be Michael Jackson I'm going to quit listening to you. You're not him, you'll never be him. Be you instead. I appreciate your admiration of him but no one can fill his shoes. No one, not you, not any of his family members, NO ONE. Quit trying. It makes you look stupid and insecure.

[GH FAN]

Usher is a amazing performer. I recently went to his concert at the Mandalay Bay in Vegas. He gives it all! His music, moves, and grace is incredible. I highly recommend everyone to see him. I would see him perform again.

Lots of love to Usher!

[H J]

Usher needs to learn that you don't tell others that you are great, you wait for other people to tell you.

He will never come anywhere near being as big as the one and only King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

[MJennifer]

Damn can't people understand that nobody will fill Michael Jackson's shoes???MJ is the original,the pioneer,the innovator!..usher,timberlake,chris brown..are just wannabes MJ!!!Michael is always imitated NEVER DUPLICATED ..MJ took his crown and throne so long ago,and he will never NEVER LEAVE HIS THRONE AS THE KING OF POP,ROCK AND SOUL,KING OF DANCE,KING OF VIDEOCLIPS,KING OF CHARITY,KING OF MUSIC!!!

[MJefito]

Usher is repeating like a parrot what the King Michael Jackson said..so he's copying him even in that..With the difference that Michael was HUMBLE and he never praised himself ,he let that the world praise him!!!

[GH FAN]

Hello people!!!! I can't be you and you can't be me!!! No one can take or replace anyone. Many people of admiration for other artist or singers who have past ex: Elvis Presley but no one can ever be Elvis. So Usher is not trying to be MJ, his shows and videos are somewhat freaky, provactive and sexy something that MJ didnt do touring or in videos. I don't think there is nothing wrong in admiring your favorite artist and trying to incorporate his/her style. GOOD LUCK TO USHER ON HIS OMG TOUR. YEAH MAN!!!!!!

[EmJay]

keep dreamin..

[Marcus]

OK...

NO ONE WILL EVER BE MICHAEL JACKSON.
NO ONE WILL EVER BE MADONNA.

Please stop the comparisons people. Usher your tour has not sold out.
You are a great singer and dancer but you have not broken new ground.
Your image is tired and heavy. Who ever is your creative person needs
to be fired.

[hippysaurus]

Thats some awful big shoes to fill for a man with little feet like yours, yours are half the size and you have at least half the talent, its the public who makes the superstars not the artist, you are liked he is loved. Some peoples children

[lucia praciano]

I love you

[Beverly]

I liked what HJ,MJennifer,MJefito said, there is only ONE MICHAEL JACKSON and he will be IMMORTAL,Thanks for being great fans.lovya.. BevRae Its all for love........<3

[Godwin Omoefe]

I could proudly say that i am one of your biggest fan in Nigeria. I love your dreams and vision, but the fact is, if can't be MJ shoes, I can assure you, you can be close to it. I Love You

[sj]

Micheal has always been an important figure and role model to our African race and culture. We have all listen and dance to his music. Many of us aspire to be like our brother Michael. Like our brother Usher he to is great and who demonstrates some of Michael's superb work. An on behalf of our African race we salute you as our own.

[Cecile]

that strange i post a comment is not there but to critizize they accepted they comment oh yet.this is the way the world go critize a great man ok..the evil do his manners real..

[Aymara]

Hola Me llamo aymara y soy una fans de usher
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ¡Te' AmoO!

[Aaliyah]

No one could ever fill Michael Jackson's shoes, his shoes are WAY too big to fill (both figuratively and literally)

[ROGER]

Usher is a great performer, good luck to him

[david stephen charles]

hi usher How are you

[Tonya]

Usher don't wish to jump into mj"s shoes so fast you seem
mentally sane at all times and it seems like you had a
good childhood and you and your brother james seem close
and you appear to be a great father just play in the uniform
you have been issued.

[Karen S. Kmiecik]

Usher, we like YOU for who YOU are, there will never be another MICHAEL JACKSON.

[keyera]

Usher sit down YOU will never be MICHAEL JACKSON so Stop trying ,, you look stupid ,, Michael jackson is the BEST and well you just dont measure up ,, with that cocky attiude Michael was about L.O.V.E and the fans !! Your just a fake wanna be whos in denial so give it up!!! RIP MICHAEL JACKSON KING OF ENTERTAINMENT ,,Yu are truely missed BUT never forgotten us fans will always remember who the Real King is :) !!

[Carole]

I like your music Usher but really NO ONE will ever fill Michael Jacksons shoes!!! No one can exude the great awe that he had with every thing that he did. There was just something about that man that no one can even compare to. He had something that no one else will ever have. Can't for the life of me figure out what it is but he just draws you to him and you can't leave. He is THE BEST!!!!! No one can replace him. He will never be forgotten!

[Cecile]

LISTEN ALL OF YOU HERE MY SWEETLOVE NEVER NEVER SAID HE WANT TO BE LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON HE RECEIVED HIS OWE BLESSING TO BECAME WHO EVER HE WANT TO BE,.DON'T YOU ALL YOU GET THAT..ARE YOU SUCK OR WHAT..AND THIS STUPID WEBPAGE ARE NOT HOW THERE YOU CAN LEAVE PEOPLE INSULTING A GREAT MAN LIKE THAT A MAN TALENTED A MAN NICE A MAN RESPECTABLE AROUND THE WORLD ,A GREAT MAN ,A SINGER AND A ARTIST....