Not only does Usher star in Hands of Stone, out today, he also can be heard on the movie’s title song “Champions.” The uplifting song will also appear on Usher’s new album, Hard II Love, due in stores on September 16.
“When we created ‘Champions,’ I wanted it to represent two icons standing toe-to-toe fighting for their countries,” Usher told Billboard. “There’s such a relationship that happens within that ring… between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran. And I wanted to capture that. I wanted Rubén Blades’ interpretation of it to be as pure so he wrote his part and the dialect to go between Spanish and English. I wanted it to be as authentic as possible to offer some hope.”
Last night, Usher released “Missin U,” which is also lifted from Hard II Love.
Listen to “Champions” by Usher below.