Usher releases ‘Papers’, Tameka not happy with him exploiting their marriage

Usher’s meal ticket may have just run out thanks to estranged wifeTameka Foster not taking his exploit of their marriage sitting down.

Earlier this week, Usher released a new song that is presumed to appear on his new album Raymond vs. Raymond. The single titled “Papers” taps into his marriage with wife Tameka Foster, displaying the not-so-sweet truth of being married to a woman that according to him almost cost him his relationship with his mother.

Usher’s marriage to Foster was the talk of 2007 and 2008 with fans desperately trying to figure out what it was the singer saw in Tameka. Usher went as far as recording an album based on his growth and settlement into married life and fatherhood titled Here I Stand.

Raymond vs. Raymond is shaping out to be another album that is based on Usher’s current turn of events especially his fallen marriage to Tameka, a point made quite clear in the new track “Papers.”

In a recent blog post on Global Grind, Tameka wrote about how artists in the music industry peddle their personal lives all the while putting on a show for the sake of getting paid. Though she makes an effort never to mention who she is directing the post to, the release of “Papers” and the coincidence of the blog post does the job of revealing the mystery person her message is targeted to.

The mirrors have definitely become smoky. So much in fact that it makes it hard for one to decipher reality from the facade. Is it Live or Memorex? Even the public should recognize the #FF (fame fanatics) who go to such great lengths to garner attention ranging from publicity ploys, outlandish stage outfits, sex tapes, head shaving, public grand standing, picture leaks and throwing tantrums. From vintage concepts of dating shows in hopes of finding a soul mate (huh? #wheredotheydothatat) to trying to hit Billboard Charts by any means necessary. Surely, the fans know better than to think what flows from “the pen” of any writer embodies the details of another human’s deepest and true desires. Sadly, men singing about love, politics, marriage, children or anything genuine and benevolent equates to album sales flop, mundane chatter and waning popularity. It takes a song about disparaging all the aforementioned just to get accolades and spins on the radio. Unlike a mathematical equation the negative induces the positive. The need to placate fans puts artists at their mercy, leading to maniacal decisions. But I guess desperate times call for desperate measures. I digress….
Nowadays some artists, entertainers, producers and even songwriters are going as far as buying magazine covers and paying photographers to follow them like paparazzi. It’s called #stayingrelevant. I say amass the fortune, help others and bump the fame, but that sentiment is not often shared. The fame, notoriety, popularity and prestige i.e. “the Light” for some is parallel to a drug. So much self-value is encompassed, without it life to them has little worth. Is it life imitating art or art imitating life?

Before the tirades and “smoke and mirror-esque” themes, when music actually made sense, even a mere decade ago, it was something we created memories with, celebrated, made and raised our kids to. It embodied our diverse cultures, experiences, and gave others a peek into our soulful worlds. Yet there are many like Lauryn, Mary J, Common and others that are non-conformists. They have never compromised themselves, their sexuality nor their art, yet they remain timeless. Although standing in “the Light’ has had its costs for all, selling one’s soul for relevance is completely different. It makes one wonder the cost of buying it back. I believe that many of these artists today lack the confidence in self that proves to be true staying power. Where there is absolute talent, no drama, no controversy, no nonsensical angles are needed. Its called: Do what God gave you the talent to do and leave the shenanigans to vaudeville and the games to Milton Bradley.

To read Tameka’s full blog, visit GlobalGrind.com.

Turning relationship issues into music is not a first for the singer. Most notably Usher’s 4th studio album Confessions was derived from his broken relationship with ex-girlfriend Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas. Confessions ended up being a smash hit and the biggest-selling album for Usher.

On one hand, it is clear to see where Tameka is coming from. She is not happy with the fact that Usher is using their marriage to capitalize on his album. Their personal issues should remain between the two of them and the involvement of other’s in the drama is quite tacky.

With all that mentioned, by the end of the day Usher is a music artist and that is what artists do. Some of the most influential and well- received songs were written from the heart based on the performer’s experiences. In most cases their songs are written from eyes that have lived vicariously through others whilst most times it is purely authentic.

At any rate, let’s hope that the two handle their divorce proceedings maturely as there are children involved and that makes the situation sensitive.