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American Morning

Showbiz Today Reports: Usher Discusses New Album

Aired July 19, 2001 - 10:37   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Silver Screen legend Katharine Hepburn is currently undergoing tests in a hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. A hospital spokesman told CNN earlier this morning that there was no cause for alarm. Hepburn was admitted around 6:00 p.m. Wednesday and is resting comfortably. She has battled various health problems in the past, including arthritis and Parkinson's disease.

Hepburn's movie career spans an impressive six decades. She was nominated for the Academy Awards a record 12 times and is a four-time Oscar winner. She is 94 years old.

And switching gears to a much lighter note, it must be hard for musicians to come up with catchy names for their albums, titles that their fans will remember, and that have special meaning to them personally. Well, Usher took all of that into consideration when penning the moniker for his third album. And if you can remember the name of album, you'll also know where to find it in record stores.

CNN's Laura Molta (ph) explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

USHER, PERFORMER: "You Remind Me," my new single off my "8701" album.

LAURA MOLTA (ph), CNN CORRESPONDENT: What is "8701"?

USHER: It's really my evolution as an artist. I found music in 1987. I've learned a lot. I've grown enough to become the executive producer of my album. Here we are 2001, and that really marks the day that I really took that step.

MOLTA (ph): And it's just a coincidence that the album is scheduled to be released?

USHER: No, actually, I'm happy that I was able to hold the album long enough to be released on 8-7-01. The reason why I postponed the release of my album is because of Napster, because of the bootleg CDs that I had go out on the street and I'd see. So I just scrapped it and we went back in the studio and did a few more tracks.

I had the opportunity to work with great producers. I even did a duet with Puff Daddy.

MOLTA (ph): Do you look at your career and see parallels, since you've both had unbelievable success?

USHER: It's just people like Sean Combs that I sort of take examples from, good and bad. Look at the controversy that he's had as an artist. Look at the positive side that he's had as an artist. It gives you a map as to where you should and shouldn't go.

MOLTA (ph): You're not just a singer. You're not just a performer. You do everything.

USHER: Yes, I try to.

MOLTA (ph): Is there one aspect of what you do that you like more, you enjoy more?

USHER: I want all. Honestly, I've found a comfortable space where I from acting to singing. Hopefully, there's something else that I can throw in there in this go-around.

MOLTA (ph): You are only 22, and you've already accomplished so much, and you've had two Grammy nominations, sold millions and millions of albums. You tour worldwide. You are going on tour; you're going to be part of Michael Jackson's concerts.

USHER: Michael Jackson is one of the main reasons why I dance. And that was really my opportunity to give back and say thank you.

MOLTA (ph): Your last album went seven times platinum. So what sort of pressure is there?

USHER: None, that's easy. We're going to do that in a week.

Honestly, all I can do is do my best.

MOLTA (ph): Laura Molta (ph), CNN Entertainment News, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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