*Black artists get respect worldwide, but Usher recently found a new level of that respect during his latest tour.
During an interview the with The Standard, the “U Got It Bad” singer shared thoughts on his time in London and its multiculturalism.
With his international travels, Usher carries memories of many places that made an impression on him, particularly a visit he made to Dublin and a statue he saw of the legendary Irish rocker Phil Lynott. In his eyes, the bronze monument left a lasting impression on him as a testament to how much black artists matter to those outside American soil.
“I just love the statue of Phil Lynott, from Thin Lizzy,” Usher told The Standard’s Dylan Jones. “I’m like, man, I didn’t know black people were celebrated in the way that they are over there.
“It was amazing, he added. “I’d like to see more things like that in America, specifically artists.”
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Erected in 2005 and unveiled through a partnership between the Roisín Dubh Trust and the Dublin City Council, the Phil Lynott statue honored the late Thin Lizzy frontman’s influence on the city and the musical landscape in Ireland.
Lynott was 36 when he passed away in 1986. Despite his death the rock icont’s legacy stays intact as it is celebrated in Dublin via the monument, which can be found outside the famous Bruxelles pub off Grafton Street in the Irish capital.
Taking in the statue, Usher noted the respect for black culture he saw overseas by music lovers
“Outside of America, there is much more respect for black culture,” the Caught up” entertainer while voicing his desire for more recognition of black artists beyond sports and politics. “You see it in sports, right, and politics, and in civil work, but in music, you don’t see it that much.
“Don’t get me wrong, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is great, as is the Museum of African American Culture in DC, but there’s so much more history, and so many more people who have done amazing things and they should be celebrated,” he added.
News of Usher’s visit to Ireland and the Phil Lynott statue comes as he thrills fans during his Past, Present and Future tour., Usher is performing to sold-out crowds during a 10-night residency at London’s O2 Arena.
The outing, announced during Usher’s Super Bowl halftime performance in 2024, has proven successful, with fans raving over his medleys of hits and impressive roller skating, according to The Standard.
Among those taking in the tour are Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya, model Leomie Anderson, Love Island presenter Maya Jama, and supermodel icon Naomi Campbell.
After a 10-night residency at London’s O2 Arena, Usher will bring his trek to Paris, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, and Berlin, before returning to London to close the tour on May 7.
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