Usher has opened up about a deeply moving experience during his European travels, revealing that a visit to Dublin and the statue of legendary Irish rocker Phil Lynott left a lasting impact on him.
Currently on his Past, Present and Future tour, Usher is performing to sold-out crowds during a 10-night residency at London’s O2 Arena.
The tour, announced during his electrifying Super Bowl halftime performance, has been a massive success, with fans raving over his medleys of hits and impressive roller skating.
Usher’s shows have attracted an array of famous faces, including Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya, model Leomie Anderson, Love Island presenter Maya Jama, and even a surprise appearance by supermodel Naomi Campbell.
After his London residency, Usher will take the tour to Paris, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, and Berlin, before returning to London to close the tour on May 7.
However, beyond the bright lights of the stage, the eight-time Grammy winner has been reflecting on his time in London and his thoughts on the city’s multiculturalism.
In a conversation with The Standard's Dylan Jones, Usher shared his thoughts on the respect for black culture he’s witnessed abroad, claiming, “Outside of America, there is much more respect for black culture.”
One experience that particularly stood out to Usher was his visit to Ireland, where he was deeply moved by the bronze statue of Irish rock legend Phil Lynott, which was erected in 2005.
The Thin Lizzy frontman tragically passed away in 1986 at just 36, but his legacy continues to be celebrated in Dublin.
The statue, located outside the famous Bruxelles pub off Grafton Street in the Irish capital, was unveiled through a partnership between the Roisín Dubh Trust and the Dublin City Council, highlighting the iconic rocker’s influence on the city and the musical landscape in Ireland.
“I just love the statue of Phil Lynott, from Thin Lizzy,” Usher said. “I’m like, man, I didn’t know black people were celebrated in the way that they are over there.
“It was amazing. I’d like to see more things like that in America, specifically artists.”
Usher expressed a desire for more recognition of black artists, not just in sports and politics but also in music. “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.”
Read the full interview in Thursday’s print edition of The London Standard or digitally here.
