June 29, 2009

Usher Records Song About Divorce

By Shaheem Reid (MTV.com)

If you thought Usher touched on real-life situations in his 2004 blockbuster Confessions, just wait until you hear a song from his forthcoming album, Monster. According to his co-writer, the singer has recorded a song - which is currently untitled but has been referred to as "Filing Papers" - about a marriage coming to an end.

"[Songwriter] Sean Garrett called me to the studio," producer Zaytoven, who's worked on songs for Gucci Mane and OJ Da Juiceman, told MTV News last week in Atlanta. "He called like, 'You've got to come hear this song. I've got a hit.' " Zay went to the studio and heard Garrett's reference vocals on the track, and soon after heard the finished version with Usher's vocals.

"It's not particularly called 'Filing Papers,' " Garrett clarified on Wednesday via phone from Atlanta. "Let's say I wrote a record for Usher three or four months ago where I really didn't have any idea of what he was going through personally. I work really hard at creating records I feel that's gonna fit like a glove to an artist. Me and Usher have a close relationship; I tend to sort of assist certain artists in giving them a direction, where I think they need to go in their next move. I felt that was the direction we needed to go. I felt that was the question everyone wanted to know: Was [his relationship] good or was it bad? Was it right? Are you happy or you're not?"

Garrett maintained that he and Usher didn't speak about trouble in the singer's marriage at the time. Of course, Usher filed for divorce from his spouse of nearly two years, Tameka Foster-Raymond, earlier this month.

Asked how he felt when he learned about Usher's divorce, Garrett said, "I'm a heavy believer in God. I'm a Pisces. My intuition is crazy. I think that's healthy in the process for me writing and producing for people. I can feel a person's vibe without them even saying it. I can read a person's body language. Maybe it was a sign. Maybe it was a sign of what my man was going through and he needed to get out. Maybe it was something she needed to hear as a wake-up call to her. I don't know - their relationship is not my business. But once people hear this record, it's gonna make their hair raise up.

Garrett divulged that he and Usher have worked on three songs so far and plan to knock out three more before the LP is wrapped up. The album currently has no release date.

At press time, a rep for Usher had not responded to MTV News' request for comment about the song.