Usher, Lil Jon & Ludacris, SexBeat | Track Review 🎵

Usher, Lil Jon, and Ludacris reunite, 16 years after “Yeah!” with a ‘bang’ on the sensual R&B smash, “SexBeat.”

Reunion! That’s what happens on “SexBeat,” the first new music from Usher in 2020.  After quietly releasing “A” in 2018 (with Zaytoven) and a pair of singles in 2019 (“LaLaLa” and “Don’t Waste My Time”), he’s back with his biggest splash in years. How so? He takes it back to his “Yeah!” days (2004), tapping Lil Jon and Ludacris for the assist.  Is “SexBeat” nearly as potent? No – “Yeah!” was iconic AF.  That said, “SexBeat” is quite potent, even if it lacks transcendence.

“SexBeat” commences romantically with a lush keyboard intro. This sets the sensual vibe of the record.  While “SexBeat” maintains a degree of lushness, things become more assertive once the actual ‘sex beat’ – a trap beat – drops.  The production is one of the biggest selling points, and it comes courtesy of Lil Jon, continuing the throwback vibes that characterize the entire record.  Following the intro, you would expect Usher to take over. Nope – it’s Ludacris, with ad-libs from Lil Jon! Ludacris is loud and suggestive, as to be expected.  That said, he’s not nearly as filthy as more contemporary rappers might’ve been (“Have you ever had orgasms in the double digits, digits, digits, digits?”).  Still, don’t get it twisted – he’s Luda after all!

Usher makes his first appearance on the chorus, where the emphasis is on the ‘sex beat,’ with the keyword being sex.  “When we get in that room and the bass go boom,” he sings on the chorus, continuing, “Something about the way you make me move, move.” From there, he’s on autopilot on the second verse, admitting, “I painted pictures in my mind / Tonight, I’m bringing ‘em to life, oh-oh, through my…”

Final Thoughts

All in all, “SexBeat” is quite the potent.  Usher comes back with a ‘bang’ (literally), assisted by two hip-hop standouts of old.  Yes, all three of these pop culture icons are past their prime, but they definitely do well for themselves on this sensual cut.

Usher, Lil Jon & Ludacris • “SexBeat” • Brand Usher / Little Jonathan, Inc. / Disturbing Tha Peace / RCA • Release: 4.10.20

Photo Credit: RCA