Columnist Urges Usher to "Take a Break"  7/27/07

Black columnist/radio host Jawn Murray has responded to Usher's open letter to fans asking them to ignore the press lies about him, urging the R&B singer to "take a break".

Usher has received negative press and criticism from fans after firing his manager mother Jonetta Patton and his press representatives. Many critics have accused Usher's pregnant fiancée Tameka Foster of influencing his recent career decisions.

After Usher wrote on open letter via America's People magazine, declaring "I am not being led" and accusing "some media and bloggers have been totally intrusive".

In response, leading journalist Murray, has written in his AOL Black Voices column, "As an artist who was apparently primed to be heir to the 'King of Pop'

Michael Jackson, you should have expected that you'd receive the type of scrutiny that you are currently dealing with. You have to know it comes with the territory...

"While none of us will deny that you are a great performer and talented singer, many of us are worried about your superstar status strictly based on decisions you have recently made.

"Nonetheless, my suggestion to you is to take a break. Disappear for a while.

Get married, go on your honeymoon and have your first born quietly. Stop trying to force your friends, family, fans and the media to accept Foster. You're really coming across like a parent trying to feed brussel sprouts to a child.

No more letters to the media, no more phone calls to radio personalities and no more of anything else that will make people question your current state of mind! More importantly, no more denying things that are true.

"More importantly, you only have one mother! The worst thing you could do is to not mend your relationship with her as soon as possible."