Usher will be presented with an honorary degree from Berklee College of Music.
The R&B legend will receive an honorary Doctor of Music degree at Berklee’s 2023 commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13, at 10 a.m. at Boston University’s Agganis Arena.
Usher will be joined by iconic singer Roberta Flack and kora player Sona Jorbarteh, who will also receive their honorary Doctor of Music degrees. Each recipient will deliver a speech to the graduating class of 2023.
According to a press release, “This year’s honorary doctorate recipients will be celebrated and recognized for their invaluable contributions to the worlds of music and philanthropy.”
Past recipients from Berklee include Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, Chaka Khan, Missy Elliott, John Legend and more.
In other Usher news, his latest single “GLU” debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart. Elsewhere, it opened at No. 20 on Hot R&B Songs; No. 22 on Adult R&B Airplay; No. 31 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay; and No. 47 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
Usher co-wrote “GLU” with Sean Garrett, Lil Jon and The Avila Brothers, who all produced the track. Garrett recently shared the story behind creating “GLU” in an interview with Rated R&B.
“We went out to Vegas and decided that we were gonna put something together that was very special for Usher,” said Garrett. “[Lil] Jon called my other brother Bobby [Ross Avila], who’s an amazing producer who plays every instrument. I was basically telling the guys that we needed to put together something that was extremely sexy. At the same time, I wanted to also put together one of the best vocal performances possible.”
He added, “It was time to really go back to the essence of R&B [and] the essence of Usher, but elevating him in a way that would be unique and, to a certain extent, in a way that people hadn’t heard him before.”
Garrett also revealed the meaning behind the song. “The word ‘glue’ in this song is used as a double entendre. It’s sexy. It’s a sticky thing, which we like, but at the same time, the word ‘glue’ is about it all being together. The relationship or you loving somebody and that glue is something that bond that you build with someone,” he shared.
“GLU” is the lead single from Usher’s highly anticipated ninth album that will release on Gamma.
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