I Cry (Usher song)

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"I Cry"
Usher I Cry.jpg
Single by Usher
ReleasedJune 26, 2020
Recorded2020
Length3:39
LabelBrand Usher
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Nasri
  • Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman
Usher singles chronology
"California"
(2020) 		"I Cry"
(2020) 		"Bad Habits"
(2020)

"I Cry" is a song by American R&B artist Usher. It was released as a standalone single on June 26, 2020. Originally a demo, the killing of George Floyd inspired Usher to finish recording the song.[1] Usher, a father to two sons, wanted to show men they could be emotional, especially during difficult times. Usher's proceeds from the record will be donated to The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which will help black-owned small businesses and black-led community organizations.[2]

Background and release[]

Usher began using his platform to speak out on social justices in 2016 with his record "Chains" featuring Nas and Bibi Bourelly. The song and video addressed racial injustices and police brutality using interactive media.

Following the death of George Floyd, Usher and fellow R&B singer Trey Songz joined a Black Lives Matter protest in Los Angeles, California. On June 26, 2020, Usher shared a statement with the song release on his twitter and instagram platforms encouraging men to show their emotions, especially after the death of George Floyd. He stated, "This song was inspired by wanting to teach my sons that it is ok for a man to feel emotions deeply and to cry. Like many men, I was raised to believe that we have to be 'tough' and not show our vulnerability, which I don’t want to teach them". He continued: "While I was shut in during the [COVID-19] pandemic and watching the death of George Floyd, the ongoing slaughter of black men and women, the protests and the events that unfolded, I became very connected to the wider universal feeling of hopelessness".[3]

Live performances[]

On June 27, 2020, Usher performed "I Cry" at the Global Goal: Unite for Our Future.[4]

Credits and personnel[]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[5]

  • Usher – lead artist, vocals, songwriting
  • Jeff Gitelman – producer, songwriting, engineer
  • Nasri Atweh – production, songwriting, composer
  • Jeremie Inhaber – songwriting, assistant engineer
  • Ashley Jacobson – assistant engineer
  • Chris Galland – assistant engineer
  • Robin Florent – assistant engineer
  • Ben "Bengineer" Chang – engineer, vocal producer
  • Michelle Mancini - mixing engineer
  • Manny Marroquinerías - mixing engineer

Release history[]

Region Date Format Label
United States June 26, 2020

References[]

  1. ^ "Usher shares emotional song 'I Cry'". Rap-Up. June 25, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  2. ^ Blistein, Jon (June 26, 2020). "Usher embraces vulnerability on BLM-inspired song 'I Cry'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  3. ^ "Usher Shares Emotional Song 'I Cry'". Rap-Up. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  4. ^ "Here's who's performing in 'Global Goal: Unite for Our Future' to help everyone beat COVID-19". Global Citizen. June 22, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  5. ^ "Don't Waste My Time". Tidal. June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
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