Usher Raymond is owning and claiming the crown for King of R&B.

According to The Grape Juice, Raymond chatted about being the king of R&B while appearing on SiriusXM’s “Radio Andy,” where he caught up with television personality Bev Smith.

“You know that people call you the king of R&B. And from our conversation right now, I feel like you are ready to really own that title and to ascend to that throne. Are you willing to accept that, king of R&B?” She asked the singer.

Raymond acknowledged many bestow the title unto him, but he recognizes it’s not a legacy he solely carries.

“I mean, you call me that, I’ll definitely carry it,” he replied before praising his musical predecessors. “I’mma tilt my crown knowing that I’m standing on the shoulders of all of the icons of our time. It is Michael [Jackson] that I stand on the shoulders of. It is James Brown that I stand on the shoulders of. It is Ronald Isley I stand on the shoulders of. It is Luther Vandross, it is Barry White, it is Teddy Pendergrass, it is all of these incredible artists like Marvin Gaye that will never be forgotten as long as there’s a breath in my body to breathe.” He responded.

The singer shares that the legendary singers he mentioned, as well as others like Prince, Little Richard, and Rick James, influence is vocal style, contributing to his royal status.

“When you hear my voice, you hear all of those people I just said,” he said.

He later added, “I’m carrying them. So if anything you want to give me a crown? I’m the last of my kind.”

And Raymond believes he’s worthy of his title. The singer’s discography is iconic, and the proof’s in his record sales. The 43-year-old is one of the best-selling artists of all time, and over the course of his over 30-year career, he’s sold over 100 million total records sold worldwide and nine Billboard Hot 100 hits. He is only the second male R&B singer to achieve the latter (Stevie Wonder was the first).

 

“I’ve been working to the point where I do own that, and I do deserve it. I ain’t gonna ask for it no more because you’re gonna give it to me,” he said.

Raymond continues to prove he’s the king of R&B in Vegas. His residency has garnered rave reviews, and he recently announced he’s adding new shows from March to July 2023.

I’m adding new shows to my Vegas residency March – July 2023 at Dolby Live at Park MGM. Tix go on sale this Friday at 10 AM PT. Fan presale starts Wednesday at 10AM PT. Watch my socials  or text (404) 737-1821 and I’ll hit you with the presale code.” He tweeted earlier this week. 

Tickets for the added leg of his residency go on sale this Friday, Aug. 26.