Usher Rehires Mother 8/7/08

Latest: R&B star Usher has re-hired his mother as his manager after his latest album failed to live up to expectations.

The singer ended his 15-year professional relationship with Jonnetta Patton and her JPat Record Label just days before the U.S. Mother's Day holiday (May08).

The 29-year-old replaced Patton with managing mogul Benny Medina - responsible for the careers of heavyweights such as Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez.

But he is now allegedly blaming Medina for disappointing sales of his new album Here I Stand.

The CD debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard charts in May (08), but sold just 433,000 copies in its first week - compared to his 2004 album Confessions, which came in at a staggering 1.1 million.

And now the star has officially announced that his mother will be resuming her role in charge of his career.

A statement from the pair reads: "Usher has dissolved his management arrangement with Benny Medina and has re-engaged Jonnetta Patton as his manager."

But Usher's former manager Medina insists the decision was made on good terms. He tells People.com, "I had a great time and we parted ways amicably."