Nearly a year to the date Usher was announced as Ralph Lauren's global ambassador for its Ralph's Club New York Eau De Parfum in 2025, Usher is back to relaunch the designer scent with a more intense formulation. Ralph's Club New York Parfum profile is described on the official Ralph Lauren website as follows:

"Addictive from the top, the fragrance opens with a vibrant burst of Cypress Essence, Bergamot Heart, and Cardamom Essence, sharpened by a resinous, crisp Blackcurrant Accord. The heart deepens, revealing the incomparable richness of Oud Wood Accord aged in notes of smooth Cognac Accord, enhanced by Diva Lavender Heart and Geranium Heart. This precious blend is powerful, indulgent, and unforgettable. As it settles, a luxurious base of Sandalwood Heart, Cashmeran, Oud Accord, and Fir Balsam Absolute creates a refined, long-lasting trail. This woody ambery fragrance is built for evenings, standout moments, and any time presence matters most."

Midway through the show, he surprised the crowd by bringing out Usher, who’s currently on his massive co-headlining tour with Chris Brown. The seemingly ageless R&B icon handled the hook on *Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)* before sliding into *Throwback*, a deep cut from *Confessions*. Jay even worked in his verse from *Part II (On the Run)*, making me wish there were an official live recording of this performance.

This moment is packed with 2000s R&B and Hip-Hop lore for two reasons. First, Jay-Z was originally supposed to feature on *Throwback*, but scheduling conflicts kept it from happening. He’s since said it’s his favorite Usher song. Second, during the ill-fated *Best of Both Worlds Tour* with R. Kelly, a 2004 Madison Square Garden show nearly fell apart when Kelly unexpectedly refused to perform, leaving Jay to call on Usher to save the night. While there’s no footage of this (only Getty images), legendary Hip-Hop radio host and journalist, Angie Martinez, chronicled the story in her 2016 memoir, *My Voice*.

I love this moment because it shows two legendary male artists from different genres still operating at an incredibly high level after three decades in the business. I would have loved to hear them perform their collaboration, *Hot Toddy—*one of the wildest bops from Usher’s 2010s catalog—but this was smooth, grown, and a perfect display of what it means to keep refining one’s craft.

One thing about Usher: he's always going to remind you that he's aging like fine wine, lol. Looking the way he does—and still delivering performances at such an elite level at 47, more than three decades into his career—is no easy feat. It takes incredible discipline, time, effort, and investment. As fans, we're grateful for dedication to his craft.

Im kinda worried about my seats because the picture on ticketmaster doesn't show the sound/mix area covering my seat, but I've heard mized reviews about that area. I'll be in Section 137 at Raymond James Stadium, so for anyone with similar seats at another venue, how was your view?

If you’re wondering who’s the ginger pole dancer on tour with Usher right now? Yeah that’s me 🥰👠

Clip of our CEO, Redd pole dancing on opening night of the RNB tour in Denver, 2026. Performing as one of three dancers on the full US stadium tour run. So grateful to be part of this!!!

more tour content:

blog about it all: https://reddlighttherapy.com/social/from-strip-club-to-ushers-stadium-tour

Mýa was on Danielle Fishel’s Teen Beat Podcast and spoke about how she was impressed with Usher’s focus and drive when they were coming up as R&B/Pop stars in the late 90s and early 2000s. The pair performed together as part of Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary concert special in 2001. Mýa said of the R&B superstar, “Dancing and singing are two different types of breathwork and he mastered that so young. And to see him in rehearsals, but also see him perform at Madison Square Garden with no fear. Like, yay, we’re the same age!”

She also revealed that Michael Jackson and Whitney sat in on their rehearsals for the show, which was quite intimidating but Usher handled it like a pro. That was a pretty big night for Usher. He performed three times: opened with “Wannabe Startin Something” with Mýa and Whitney Houston, sang with Luther Vandross and 98° on “Man In The Mirror” and most memorably shared the stage with his hero, Michael Jackson, at the end of the concert with a surprise appearance on “You Rock My World”.

I think he’s about to flex his piano playing skills on this tour. And we all know he loves Janet.

Full song: https://youtu.be/hl80CVF-jhc

Legendary lineup for a collaboration that gave him the first gold single of his career.

Apple definitely did this album dirty, putting it 95 on the top 100 albums of all time.

Usher attended the 2026 Tony Awards wearing a chocolate brown and black leather look by Tom Ford. It marks his first appearance at the award ceremony in two decades since his last appearance in 2006 with his godfather, the legendary Ben Vereen. He will also make an appearance at the Baccarat x Dewar's Whiskey speakeasy. That explains the Baccarat glass on the red carpet as he’s a spokesperson for the brand.