USHER ON WHETHER LEBRON JAMES WILL COME TO NEW YORK, HIS NEW FRAGRANCE & NYC'S TOUGH CROWDS!

Everybody knows that you sing and dance, but not many people know that you're a part-owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. So let's ask what every New Yorker wants to know: Is LeBron James coming to New York next season?
A. I don't know. I don't think any of us can answer that question. Only he can answer that. I think he's just having fun; 25 is a very relaxing year. I remember 25 — I kind of came into my own. LeBron is an anomaly. He's a unique talent. As you come into your space, you find your home and you become more confident. So, hopefully, he'll stay home. Or, at least, he'll make it his home for business.

Q. You got your start in Atlanta, but do you remember the first time you came to New York City?

A. Sure I do. I was 14 years old and had just signed my first big record deal. L.A. Reid signed me to LaFace Records and wanted to give me the true essence of what being an artist was, so he put me around a very relevant star at the time, Puffy. I ran with him in New York and he helped me understand the industry. I was blown away by the city, but that's not really why I was here. I was pursuing my career. It wasn't until years later that I even understood what this city had to offer. I knew there were a lot of people that never slept, at least that's what they said, but I didn't understand how many great things could come out of New York.

Q. Is performing here different from performing at other places?

A. Absolutely. If you can win over the crowd in New York City, you can do it anywhere, and that's the truth. The New York crowd is very hard to please, but if you've got them, they'll stick with you. Of course, if you flinch for a moment, if you're timid, they'll boo you off the stage. Luckily, I've never been booed in my life. I've had a bad concert, but I've never been booed — unless it was karaoke.

Q. You've just released your new cologne, VIP. What does an entertainer know about cologne?

A. VIP is my fifth line of fragrances and I've learned a lot. The creative process, no matter what, is based on taste, and this is just another way of interpreting my vision. This fragrance is intended to be elegant, confident and sexy at the same time. I view it like making a song. Both have top notes, middle notes and bottom notes. There is also a first verse, then a second verse and a bridge.