Usher Supports Kanye, Rebukes Media
By Remmie Fresh
Date: 9/13/2005 2:09 am



R&B crooner Usher is denying that he took exception to Kanye West’s off-the-cuff commentary that “George Bush doesn’t like Black people,” an opinion expressed during a live NBC telethon.

Usher released a statement to contradict the reports and rebuked the media for promoting division between the two artists. “Contrary to false media reports, I support the personal opinions made by my friend Kanye West. If it wasn’t for his comments, there would not be an open dialogue about the underserved people in the Gulf Region,” Usher said in a statement.

Furthermore, Usher stated that the nation had more pressing issues in the New Orleans, Mississippi, Alabama and surrounding areas.

“Our country is in a state of emergency — instead of the media trying to turn celebrities against one another — we should all come together as one and support the victims of this devastating tragedy,” he said.

Many internet and print publications reported that Usher said, “I wasn't mad at Kanye's statement - that's his opinion - but it's obviously not the opportunity or the time to poke fun or appoint blame.” The singer categorically denied that the statement was accurate.

In related news, Usher has revealed that he will release a charity single where the proceeds will go to survivors of Hurricane Katrina. According to Fox News, he hopes to collaborate with Michael Jackson on the song.

I'm really not surprised and I should have waited to see the words come out of Usher's mouth as I really don't believe the media. It always seemed that he and Kanye were cool so even if he disagreed I would have expected his choice of words to be different.

like I said...


Kanye the political revolution..


who da thunkith.....

he's now hoping Kanye will call Oprah to get him on the show....



and shut up SDldawn


I have my and I'm ready for the revolution damn it...lol

Rhondab said:

Hope he wears a bullet proof vest...


I do believe the goverment was hell bent on shutting lennon up.

I'm actually pretty sick of Kanye and other celebrities as well. Shit could have been done to help the poor people of many poor neighborhoods before it got to this point. I guess everyone was standing back to see what everyone else was going to do. Poverty in this country is nothing new. Fuck 'em all.

Sdldawn said:

I actually agree with that. There have been numerous individuals that were trying to use their art to raise conciousness and some met a mysterious demise. I will always question Donny Hathaway's suicide along with Lennon's murder.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

Exactly. Talk about a conspiracy or what. DP, your comments are on point.

Stymie said:

go on!

its funny how things don't seem to matter until someone "important" says something. i was in san francisco when the shit hit the fan down there and my friends and family were all on the phones to me, amazed at (the lack of) gov't reaction. regardless, i didn't hear a thing coming out of any public figure's mouth until kanye said something.

kinda sad that it took a rap artist saying something "controversial" to spark the "commercial" uproar.
[Edited 9/13/05 14:31pm]

MadameS said:

I knew you would dig it.

Stymie said:

thank you.

Pop superstar USHER is reaching out to Madonna.....Usher is organizing a concert to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims and told Access Hollywood that he is "in talks" with Madonna's people about her being involved. Usher is also trying to woo Michael Jackson to perform at the show. The concert is to be held on October 2 in Houston, Texas.

Ironically, Kanye means Bush in swahili.

SassyBritches said:

then you don't watch the news enough. people were bitching and moaning about lack of response before Kanye opened his mouth. he didn't start anything. he just made it trivial enough for pop news to latch onto.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

I agree.. In fact, I think I remember hearing that the FBI was watching him in his last days, and Lennon actually said his phones were being tapped... plus, they were finding any and every reason to deport him. I think they saw him as a threat.

I do believe there is an actual documentary on this.. i think
[Edited 9/13/05 20:27pm]

Sdldawn said:

It's really plausible considering how powerful the Beatles were and still are. They couldn't have a star in the massively popular Beatles actually trying to raise awareness. That goes against the pop-star credo dictated by owners of record companies, the media etc. I always dug Lennon because he went to the beat of his own drum. I will always believe they wanted to silence that.

The same goes with Hathaway's death, just too neat and tidy for me, it has to be something more to it than that.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

I believe he was going to rally/riot against a certian something (cant remember.. have to look it up) few weeks before he died..

and I do agree with you.. I did admire that he went to his own beat.. cause he did, and didnt care.

Tessa said:

i'll be quite honest...i watch the news rarely. i listen to npr, watch pbs, read a few newspapers each day (the ny times and the wall street journal), and check out cspan but tv news...uh uh.

yes, i know everyday people were talking but kanye was one of the first celebrities i heard talk about it so bluntly. now that he has its sort of like it immediately became safe for everyone to do it. i could be wrong. like i said, i don't watch much tv.

ehuffnsd said:

DavidEye said:

so David...how do you feel about Usher "reaching out" to Madonna.....


feels sorta slimey huh.....

ehuffnsd said:

I may be just a cynical bitch but why do celebrities have to gather up people to have benefit concerts, making you dig in your pockets to give money when they are perfectly damn capable of just cutting checks their damn selves? Some of the same people going through this terrible thing are some of the same people who bought these celebrities houses and shit. Goddamn, America is fucked up.

Stymie said:

I you and your cynical ways!!

In all honesty, does anyone even care what Usher has to say about Hurricane Katrina or anything else for that matter? It's like someone caring about what Britney or Jessica think. I wouldn't give people like Usher the time of day let alone take to heart anything they/he has to say about anything.

Rhondab said:

Where's Dex? I'm Angry Black Woman this month.

Stymie said:

Excellent point. They could even use that big annual tax cut to help Hurricane relief.

Stymie said:

lol...Dex is on his way to the next phase of his life...but I'm sure he'll be back soon....and I'm sure the angry woman will be waiting...