Can U Get Wit It

Album: Usher (1994)
Charted: 91 59
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Songfacts®:

  • Usher was just 15 when he released "Can U Get Wit It" as the lead single from his self-titled debut album. His journey started in Tennessee, where he made his first recordings at age 12 with a group called Nubeginning. Soon after, his family moved to Atlanta, where he earned an audition with LA Reid at LaFace Records, who signed him after Usher wowed him by singing the Boyz II Men song "End Of The Road."

    His first single, "Call Me A Mack," was released in 1993 when he was 14 and included on the Poetic Justice soundtrack. Reid didn't think Usher had enough edge, so he sent him to what Reid called "Puffy Flavor Camp," having him live in New York City with Sean Combs for about a year to learn the ropes. Combs executive produced the album and worked on Usher's image, making him into a ladies' man even though he was just a boy. "I'm not tryin' to be funny, but it's only a sexual thing," he sings on this track.

    Usher appreciated the education but knew he was playing a role. He earned some creative freedom with his next album, My Way, which expressed his true self. "Can U Get Wit It" and a few other songs from the Usher album were minor hits, but he didn't really connect with them and didn't perform them after he hit it big.
  • The song was written and produced by DeVante Swing of Jodeci, which explains the bedroom vibe. Jodeci had worked with Puff Daddy when he was an executive at their label, Uptown Records.
  • The music video was directed by Lionel C. Martin, who also did "On Bended Knee" for Boyz II Men and "Poison" for Bell Biv DeVoe. It starts with Usher in school before he skips out and rides off with Puff Daddy. In one shot Usher is lying on the hood of the car while Puffy is driving - child endangerment apparently wasn't an issue.

Comments: 1

  • Verdonda from Baltimore StreetI do think child endangerment was not a issue. I do think that Usher should have sat in the Impala that Puff was driving.
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