Usher Reflects on Navigating the Music Industry as a Teenager, Asks Sons Who They'd Message for Career Advice.
In an episode of Instagram's new Conversations series, Usher and his teenage sons, Cinco and Naviyd, kick off their candid conversation about navigating social media, music careers, and more.
During the cruise setting, where parents often open up to kids in difficult talks without needing eye contact, the trio shares their experiences with building an online presence as young artists. Usher reveals how he wishes Instagram was around when he was trying to get signed, saying it would have bypassed gatekeeping and allowed him to connect directly with potential collaborators.
"I used to literally sit in the car," Usher recalls. "Just like this. And I had to wait for people to come out of a nightclub and then sing for them in order for them to recognize my talent and hopefully wanna sign me as an artist."
In contrast, Naviyd, 17, jokingly asks his father if he could DM anyone on Instagram, revealing his interest in collaborating with Kaytranada. His dad's response leaves him quipping from the backseat, "You're not DMing Beyoncé?"
Usher emphasizes that if he had access to Instagram when starting out, it would have revolutionized the creative world by allowing artists to build communities and collaborate directly. The R&B legend adds, "Anybody that I wanted to collaborate with...creative people who were doing things similar to what I wanted to accomplish because collaboration is so important."
During the car ride, Cinco shows off his freestyle skills before Naviyd reveals his own singing talents. Usher then performs a portion of his hit song "U Don't Have to Call" from the driver's seat.
Watch the full Conversations episode featuring Usher and his sons below.
In an episode of Instagram's new Conversations series, Usher and his teenage sons, Cinco and Naviyd, kick off their candid conversation about navigating social media, music careers, and more.
During the cruise setting, where parents often open up to kids in difficult talks without needing eye contact, the trio shares their experiences with building an online presence as young artists. Usher reveals how he wishes Instagram was around when he was trying to get signed, saying it would have bypassed gatekeeping and allowed him to connect directly with potential collaborators.
"I used to literally sit in the car," Usher recalls. "Just like this. And I had to wait for people to come out of a nightclub and then sing for them in order for them to recognize my talent and hopefully wanna sign me as an artist."
In contrast, Naviyd, 17, jokingly asks his father if he could DM anyone on Instagram, revealing his interest in collaborating with Kaytranada. His dad's response leaves him quipping from the backseat, "You're not DMing Beyoncé?"
Usher emphasizes that if he had access to Instagram when starting out, it would have revolutionized the creative world by allowing artists to build communities and collaborate directly. The R&B legend adds, "Anybody that I wanted to collaborate with...creative people who were doing things similar to what I wanted to accomplish because collaboration is so important."
During the car ride, Cinco shows off his freestyle skills before Naviyd reveals his own singing talents. Usher then performs a portion of his hit song "U Don't Have to Call" from the driver's seat.
Watch the full Conversations episode featuring Usher and his sons below.
He would've been able to connect with people on a whole other level. It's crazy to think that gatekeeping was necessary when all it took was a DM from someone who liked his stuff. Now, though, it's like anyone can be discovered and collaborate with others instantly. It's wild... I'm just thinking about how this changes the way we experience music and art in general... 
! Can you imagine him DMing the likes of Beyoncé or Kanye West? [GIF of Usher trying to take selfies in his old-school outfit 
]
Usher is clearly trying to stir up some buzz around his sons getting into the music scene... all while subtly promoting his own legacy, of course 
He's using this as an excuse to say how much he wishes Instagram was around when he started out, but let's be real, that's just a convenient way for him to talk about himself 
And have you noticed how Naviyd is literally trying to DM the big shots? It's like they're trying to create some kind of fake reality or something... anyway, I'm keeping an eye on these two youngins', it'll be interesting to see if they can make a name for themselves without their dad's help 
. Growing up in the music industry can be so tough, especially when you're just a teenager trying to make it big. I love how he's using Instagram as an example of how things are different now - it's crazy to think about how much of a game-changer social media is for artists 
. And Usher's response is just... perfect 
. It's all about building communities and collaborating with others - that's what it's all about, right? 
! He's so right about how different things would've been if Instagram was around back in his teenage years 
It would've been so cool to see him building his brand and community from a younger age 
. And omg, Naviyd is SO cute 
, I love how he's already showing off his singing talents 
! Can't wait to watch the full Conversations episode and see more of these adorable moments with Usher and his boys 
.