USHER HAS BUMPED UP HIS ALBUM RELEASE DATE!

Usher was set to release his next album, Raymond vs. Raymond, in early 2010, but since the single "Papers" has everyone buzzing, he won't keep fans waiting much longer. The singer has bumped up the album-release date to December 21, a rep for Usher confirmed to MTV News on Friday (November 13). Producer Bryan Michael Cox spoke with MTV News recently about his work on the upcoming album, promising a deeply personal project from Usher.
"I think Usher is in a place where he really wants to express what's going on in his life, as any artist would," Cox said, referring to Usher's divorce from Tameka Foster-Raymond. "All the greats did it. Marvin Gaye did Here, My Dear. All the greats express where they are personally."

Cox said the album will tell the stories everyone wants to hear, especially since Usher is back on the single scene.

"I think [the new album] is where we are going to see Usher as an artist. I'm very curious to hear what the rest of the album is going to sound like," Cox said about Raymond vs. Raymond. "Our records are definitely in that lane of touching on what's going on in his life, so we are going to see what's going to happen. I'm very excited about the album. I think he has a lot to say."