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''Confessions'' is the fourth studio album by American R&B recording artist Usher; it was released on March 23, 2004, by Arista Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2003 to 2004 with production by Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Lil Jon, among others. Primarily an R&B album, ''Confessions'' showcases Usher as a crooner and incorporates musical elements of hip hop and crunk. The album's themes generated controversy about Usher's personal relationships; however, the album's primary producer Jermaine Dupri claimed the record reflects his personal story. The album was an instant commercial success in the United States, selling 1.1 million copies in its first week. Its continued success was bolstered by its four chart-topping singles. As a strategy to boost its sales amid threats of bootlegging, a special edition was issued with the hit single "My Boo". Despite some mixed criticism towards its lyrical substance, ''Confessions'' received mostly positive reviews and earned Usher several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album. The album has been regarded by music writers as Usher's greatest work, and according to ''Billboard'', is the second best-selling album of the 2000s decade in the United States. With over eight million copies sold in 2004, the album's commercial success was viewed as a sign of recovering record sales in the US, following three years of decline. It was also exemplary of urban music's commercial peak and dominance of the ''Billboard'' charts in 2004. ''Confessions'' has been certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and, as of 2012, has sold 10 million copies in the US. ==Background and recording== When he began recording the album "Confessions" in 2003, Usher claimed he did not want to work with any new producers. Production began between Usher and Jermaine Dupri, who produced his last two albums, ''My Way'' (1997) and ''8701'' (2001).〔 In spite of his vision, Usher stated, "With this album I chose some new producers who I figured would definitely allow me to really articulate myself in a different way ... Every album you gotta grow. You gotta look for something different." Dupri also invited his frequent collaborator Bryan-Michael Cox. The album features productions by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Just Blaze, R. Kelly, and Usher's brother James Lackey. With forty recorded songs, Usher felt the album had already been completed.〔 Initially, he submitted the album to his record label, Arista. He and the company's then-president, L. A. Reid, who listened to the record; however, they thought something was missing in it, "You know what, there's like one or two more records that we just gotta get."〔 Usher was displeased with the decision; he felt returning to the studio was the hardest part and needed to re-motivate himself.〔 He went on recording a few more tracks with help from fellow Atlantian's Lil Jon and Ludacris. Eventually, the team was able to produce songs like "Red Light" and "Yeah!". He also recorded songs with P. Diddy and The Neptunes during one of those sessions but were not released.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Confessions (Usher album)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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