Versus (EP)

Preceding the EP's release was the lead single "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love", which achieved international success. The song peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, and peaked inside the top-ten in several other countries singles charts. "Hot Tottie" and "Lay You Down" were released as the second and third singles, respectively, with the former becoming a US top-thirty hit. To promote the album, Usher appeared in several award and television shows, including Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live!.


Versus debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 46,000 copies in its first week.^[2] It became Usher's sixth top-ten album and has sold 302,000 copies in the US. Despite some criticism towards its pop-oriented material, the EP received generally positive reviews from most music critics. It earned Usher several nominations, including a Billboard Music Award, an International Dance Music Award and a NRJ Music Award.

Background[edit]

In 2009, in an interview with People Magazine, Usher, whose private life has been highly documented after filing for divorce from wife Tameka Foster, told that his sixth studio album will be, "racy, risky and edgy, and sometimes about personal experiences."^[3] In March, 2010, he released the album under the title Raymond v. Raymond.^[4] Upon its release, Raymond v. Raymond received generally mixed reviews from music critics, who were ambivalent towards its songwriting and themes.^[5][6] However, the album was a commercial success and peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, with sales of 329,000 for its first week; it became Usher's third consecutive US number one album.^[7]


On July 8, 2010, Versus was announced as a follow-up to Raymond v. Raymond, and is Usher's first extended play.^[8][9][10] Described during a press release as "the last chapter of Raymond v. Raymond", he stated that the EP will explore the subjects of being newly single and a father.^[11] It would include Raymond v. Raymond single "There Goes My Baby", as well as 8 new tracks.^[11] Several producers from the latter album contributed to the production of the EP, including Polow da Don, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Drumma Boy, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Tha Cornaboyz and Max Martin.^[11] Versus' track listing and album cover was revealed on July 21, 2010.^[12]

Composition[edit]

The EP is a Europop and R&B project^[1] that also incorporates elements of pop, dance-pop and hip-hop.^[13][14][15] Its lead single, "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" is a Europop track, with electronic and dance-pop influence.^[14][16] About.com's Mark Nero summed up its lyrics, to simply be "going clubbing on a Friday night".^[14] "Hot Tottie" is an R&B song that incorporates hip-hop, which is over strobing, electronic beats with Usher's vocals auto-tuned in parts;^[15] the song contains a verse from rapper Jay-Z, whose appearance was lauded by critics.^[14][17] "There Goes My Baby" is a down-tempo R&B ballad, with elements of neo soul;^[18] the song primarily uses Usher's falsetto range. Both "Lay You Down" and "Lingerie" contain influences from pop artists, with the former channelling Prince whilst the latter, Michael Jackson.^[13] In an interview with music video website Vevo, Usher explained that "Lay You Down" is a "classic R&B baby maker".^[19]

Singles[edit]

"DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love", featuring Pitbull, produced by Max Martin is the first single off the EP. It was released to iTunes on July 13, 2010 and officially sent to radio on July 20, 2010.^[8][20] The song received generally positive reviews from critics, who complemented its production but were ambivalent towards its lack of originality; the song was largely compared to "OMG" due to its club nature. Since its release, it has gained international success, peaking in the top three in Canada,^[21] Japan,^[22] Australia,^[23] France,^[23] and Hungary^[23] and in the top ten in several other countries.^[23] The song became Usher's sixteenth Billboard Hot 100 top-ten hit, peaking at number-four on the chart,^[24] and number two on the US Pop Songs Chart.^[25] As of February 2011, the song has sold over 3 million digital units, making it the second single to exceed the sales figure for both Usher and featured artist Pitbull.^[26]


"Hot Tottie", featuring Jay-Z,^[27] produced by Polow Da Don and written by Usher, Shawn Carter, and Ester Dean, is the second single. It was released for urban radio on August 9, 2010.^[9] Ciara was originally reported to be on the song, but did not appear on the final track.^[28] The song received very positive reviews from critics, who praised rapper Jay-Z's verse and Usher's vocals. It peaked at number nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,^[29] and number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.^[24] Internationally, "Hot Tottie" peaked at number sixty-two on the Canadian Hot 100.^[21] Although it was not released officially as a single in the UK, the song reached number 104 on the UK Singles Chart and number twenty-seven on the UK R&B Chart due to sales after the release of Versus only.^[30] "Lay You Down", produced by Rico Love and Dwayne Nesmith, is the third single and was sent to urban radio on September 28, 2010.^[31][32] It maintained a peak of number fifty-six on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, due to only being released to radio.^[29] Sara Anderson of AOL wrote that the song opens "with improvisational, high-pitched 'ooohs' and base-driven synth beats [...]."^[31]