| Looking 4 Myself | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 8, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | 2011–2012 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 56:56 | |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Producer |
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| Usher chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Looking 4 Myself | ||||
Looking 4 Myself is the seventh studio album by American singer Usher. Released on June 8, 2012, by RCA Records, it is his first album for RCA after the October 2011 merger of the Jive Records group which also included his label, Arista Records, that resulted in both labels being consolidated into the RCA label group.[3][4] Many producers worked on the songs, and the album features appearances from Luke Steele and ASAP Rocky. Inspired by the electronic duo Empire of the Sun and listening to music originating from several locations, Usher intended the album to contain a more experimental sound, that remained relevant to the music of its time. Defined as "revolutionary pop" by the singer, critics noted that Looking 4 Myself is a dance-pop and R&B album that incorporates the genres pop, hip hop, electronic, Europop, and dubstep. Critic Barry Walters has noted how elements of some of its R&B songs were inspired by the emerging alternative R&B genre.[2]
The album debuted atop the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 128,000 copies in its first week, becoming Usher's fourth number one album in the country. As of October 2014, Looking 4 Myself has sold 504,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[5] Worldwide, it attained top-ten positions in over eight other countries including Australia, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Looking 4 Myself was supported by five singles: "Climax", "Scream", "Lemme See" featuring Rick Ross, "Numb", and "Dive". "Climax" peaked in the top-twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for eleven weeks. "Scream" peaked in the top-ten on the Hot 100 and several other countries. "Numb" obtained moderate international chart success and peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Usher promoted for the Looking 4 Myself by performing in several shows; including the off-broadway show Fuerza Bruta: Look Up, Saturday Night Live and Good Morning America, among others. The tour has further be promoting the album, however, it was cancelled due to the singer's obligation as a coach on The Voice.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Kellmanwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Walters, Barry (August 22, 2012). "Frank Ocean, Miguel, and Holy Other Usher in PBR&B 2.0". Spin. New York. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
- ^ "Usher's Label Shuts Down! Shake-Up in Music Business! - Rolling Out". rollingout.com. October 7, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ Perpetua, Matthew (October 7, 2011). "RCA Folds Arista, Jive and J Records". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ Ringen, Jonathan (October 24, 2014). "Billboard Cover: Usher on Getting Tough With Justin Bieber, Why He's Not Ready for a New Album and Life as a Single Dad". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2014.