Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Reflect On Usher’s Career

Icons Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are not hesitant to give Usher his flowers. Ahead of presenting the current reigning King of R&B with the Lifetime Achievement Honor at the 2024 BET Awards, the songwriting/producing team detailed some of their favorite moments from the R&B star’s career, including reflecting on their collaborative efforts.

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“Our favorite moment of Usher’s career is working with him. People don’t remember this, but the very first record that we did with Usher was a song for the movie Kazaam ,” detailed Jimmy Jam reflecting on the soundtrack for the 1996 film starring Shaquille O’Neal.

“That was the song that actually introduced us to Usher. And over [a] period of time, Usher has been very instrumental in our creative lives.”

Terry Lewis interjected, “He saved me… He gave me inspiration at a time when I didn’t feel inspired. I felt like people were just kind of phoning it in and he came along and he really wanted to work. Really was like a student, [he] wanted to learn and wanted to expand and try things. That’s inspiring for a creative person. Usher definitely put that spirit back in me.”

The legendary duo continued to list off some of their favorite, or what they believe to be underestimated records in Usher’s deep catalog.

“There’s a lot of underrated ones. But ‘You Make Me Wanna’ is my one, because that’s my jam,” shared Lewis.

“He brought that thing to life,” added Jam, with accolades to JD for producing the chart-topper.

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He added, “The stuff we did… I think that’s a little bit undervalued, it’s a song called, ‘Can You Help Me?’ I think he sings the hell out of that song. He killed that song.”

“Another one, too, ‘Mars Versus Venus,’ and the one that is funky, ‘Lingerie,’ chimed in Terry as the two closed their collaborative list with their “Do It Yourself” collaboration with Usher released in their 2021 debut album Jam & Lewis, Volume One.

Later in the evening, Usher accepted the career-defining award following a musical tribute that featured performances from Donald Glover, Teyana Taylor, Victoria Monét, Coco Jones, Chlöe, Keke Palmer, and more.

“I’m sorry I’m cursing, this is how I really feel,” reflected Usher in his full, uncensored acceptance speech. “‘Cause at one point it got really thick, and motherf**kers wasn’t f**king with me. I get it, I understand, sometimes you gotta go through some sh*t to get to something.”

Watch the performance below.

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