Craig David and Usher are in talks about collaborating on a new song. The potential partnership has already generated significant buzz among fans of both artists, with excitement building across social media platforms since their joint performance.
The ‘7 Days’ hitmaker joined the music superstar on stage during his ‘Past, Present and Future’ residency at London’s O2 Arena earlier this month and the pair are now said to be planning to drop a new track together. Usher’s residency has been one of the venue’s most anticipated events of the year, selling out multiple nights.
“Usher and Craig have always had a huge amount of time for each other and there is a lot of respect between them,” a source told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column. “After Usher had Craig up on stage with him at the O2 earlier this month, they then talked about working together on a new song. Their musical styles complement each other perfectly, with both artists known for their smooth R&B vocals and innovative production.”
“Now they have asked their writers to come up with some ideas,” the source continued. “Usher has been quietly putting together a new record and maybe Craig could be a featured artist if they can find the right song.” Industry insiders suggest this collaboration could mark a significant moment in R&B music, bringing together two generations of influential artists.
The “OMG” singer paid tribute to David when the pair were together on stage recently as they duetted on the latter’s tracks “Fill Me In” and “7 Days.” The performance quickly became a highlight of Usher’s London residency, with fan footage spreading across various platforms.
“Every time we’ve ever met it’s been positive, every chance we get to celebrate each other, we have,” the 46-year-old star said. “I’ve learned a lot from my audience to your audience.” Their shared musical influence spans multiple generations of R&B fans worldwide.
“Thank you for your contribution to R+B, the celebration of your music, you deserve it all week all year,” Usher added in a heartfelt moment that resonated with the audience. Music critics have noted that both artists have been instrumental in bringing R&B music to mainstream audiences globally.
David, 43, replied: “Me and this dude go way back, it’s been a beautiful journey. Both artists have maintained successful careers spanning over two decades in the music industry.”
“Anyone who’s been there from the start, all the way through, we’re grateful because your legacy is what we live for,” David continued, acknowledging the long-standing support from fans. Their ability to stay relevant across changing musical landscapes has earned them respect throughout the industry.
The star revealed last year that he has spent years dreaming of a collaboration with the ‘Yeah!’ hitmaker since they shared a “moment” freestyling together on a French radio station in the early part of their careers. This initial meeting occurred during the formative years of both artists’ international careers.
“For me, having grown up listening to Usher, I feel that would be a great … we would create something special,” David said, speaking to BANG Showbiz at Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard. Music industry experts anticipate that a collaboration between these two established artists could appeal to both nostalgic and contemporary audiences.
“We had a moment at a place called Skyrock at a radio station over there in Paris and we did a little freestyle on the radio back when I was releasing ‘Fill Me In’, ‘7 Days’ and he had ‘You Make Me Wanna … ‘ and about to go into his 8701 album so it was a moment.” Skyrock remains one of France’s most influential radio stations for urban music.
“Everyone was like: ‘You guys need to [do something together]’. It would be one to say we ticked that box,” David concluded. The timing seems particularly appropriate as both artists are experiencing renewed interest in their music, with David’s recent revival including successful festival appearances and Usher‘s acclaimed performances worldwide.
Music producers familiar with both artists have suggested that their collaboration could blend classic R&B sounds with contemporary production elements, creating a perfect balance of nostalgia and modern appeal. Fan communities for both artists have already begun speculating about the potential sound and style of this eagerly anticipated collaboration.
