Jive Records refuses to release Usher’s new album as long as the singer has not signed with a management company to represent him. His album, Raymond vs. Raymond, was supposed to be released yesterday (February 7), the same day as the Super Bowl, but that date has been pushed back to March 30.
Usher was being represented by his mother but she decided to end their professional relationship last November. She felt her son’s new girlfriend, former Def Jam music exec Grace Miguel, was interfering too much in his business. A source explains that Usher’s mother wanted to back away from his professional career before their personal relationship was permanently damaged.
Though Usher’s new album has not yet been released, three singles have been on the radio since September. None of these offerings have been that successful.