Usher

By Souleo. There's a saying: go hard or go home.  It's an old motto that defines the journey of rising R&B artist, Bertell (yes, that's his birth name).  Bertell's path has taken him from being homeless to being the protégé of A-list producer/writer Bryan Michael Cox (Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Usher) and Capitol Records' newest priority.  Bertell spoke with JimmyJazz to give us the exclusive rundown on his story of beating the odds.

Unlike many Bertell's experience with homelessness was a choice; one borne out of a need to prove to himself that he could succeed doing things the right way.

"It was pretty much by choice.  I was in a situation where I was kind of out in the streets doing things the wrong way.  I cut loose from everything wrong that was getting the money for me.  I figured out that it ain't that easy to get money the right way.  When I figured that out I didn't want to run back to my mother's house.  I didn't want to be a burden on anybody," he said.

While he lived out of his car and slept wherever he could lay his head, Bertell soon discovered that to survive he would have to go hard and that's when he developed his grind.

"I was a real hustler.  I would sell you some socks.  I would sell you a t-shirt.  My mother always used to tell me 'You don't have no kids and no responsibility so you don't have no excuse.'  So for me I always used to wake up like there was no excuse so I gotta figure it out," he said.

Bertell's hustling soon paid off resulting in heavy mixtape sales and a chance meeting with Bryan Michael Cox.  Together the two are working on the final touches to Bertell's forthcoming album, Going Hard.  As the title suggests no matter what he is singing about, it's the message of perseverance that stays with Bertell the most from his homeless experience.

"I found out that I was driven and that I wasn't a quitter. That was the biggest thing I found out about myself.  Anybody that comes to me is going to see the same thing."

For more information visit: www.bertellonline.com

Check out the lead single, "She Bad," feat. Bun B

Gucci Mane is getting ready to release his very much anticipated release, The State vs. Radric Davis, which is scheduled for a December 8th drop date. In preparation for the release, Gucci sat down with popular blogger/ radio host Miss Info to talk about the The State vs. Radric Davis, beef with Young Jeezy and more.

The State vs. Radric Davis features Usher ("Spotlight"), Plies ("Wasted"), OJ Da Juiceman, Mariah Carey, Lil Wayne, and others.

BONUS: Here's Gucci Mane's "Spotlight" featuring Usher.

Summer 2009 is creeping to it's end. Some of us found love, while other's found harsh breck up's and reality checks. For instance, r&b superstar Usher Raymond- who filed for a divorce from his spouse, Tameka Foster, early this summer. The 30-year old singer has been making the best from his single live. Here, Usher is spotted living it up while on vacation in the beautiful St. Tropez.

Rack up on summer essentials. JimmyJazz.com has got the hook up on tees and cargo shorts! 

V-neck style tee by Jordan Craig (available in multiple colors)

6 pocket design cargo short (available in multiple colors)

Yesterday R&B vocalist, Usher, delivered a heartfelt performance of Michael Jackson's classic hit "Gone to Soon" at Jackson's powerful and moving public funeral service, held at the Staple Center in Los Angeles. To many (including us here at JimmyJazz.com) the most touching part of the performance was when the 30-year old walked down from the stage and sang to Jackson's closed coffin. At the end of the rendition, Usher broke down into tears.

Both MJ and Usher had the opportunity of performing with one another years ago. Here's a clip of Jackson performing his 2001 hit, "You Rock World" from his Invisible album. Usher, along with comedian Chris Tucker, join Jackson on stage for a classic performance.

The original version of "Gone to Soon" was a song Jackson produced from his eight album, Dangerous. The song was dedicated to Ryan White, a young AIDS victim from Kokomo, Indiana who died from the fatal disease on April 8, 1990. Michael Jackson become friends with White prior to his early death.

Feel free to leave your comments about the performance and MJ.