The first single from Michael Jackson’s posthumous album “Xscape” hit airwaves today. The single “Love Never Felt So Good,” which was teased by Justin Timberlake yesterday, was introduced by Usher last night at the iHeart Radio Music awards.
As reported by MTV.com:
“Between his music and dance moves, Usher has always channeled Michael Jackson. On Thursday night (May 1), Ush got to honor the King of Pop in a particularly special way: by helping to debut his new song.
“During the first ever iHeartRadio Music Awards, Usher took the stage to perform a dance number to “Love Never Felt So Good,” a brand-new MJ song. The song, produced by John McClain and Paul Anka, was recorded back in 1983. It will be featured on Xscape, Jackson’s upcoming album.”
It must of been an honor for Usher to be the one to introduce his idol’s first single since his untimely death. Jackson has undoubtedly influenced every pop artist to come after, but Usher’s music and style are the closest today’s fans have to “The King Of Pop.’
As Usher said in an MTVNews interview after Jackson’s death in 2009:
“I think Michael Jackson is by far one of the most impactful artists in music … when MTV did not play African-American videos, he took a stand and said, ‘This is a must,’ and you look what it became after that,” he said. “You can’t say that you are an artist in this century and [not be] influenced by Michael Jackson. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to share the stage with him, to know him personally, and I am always going to remember him.”
“Love Never Felt So Good” also features Justin Timberlake, with co-production by Timbaland. Timberlake put the music world on notice that the track was coming when he posted an Instagram photo of the single’s album work. The single is now available on iTunes.
The album “Xscape,” brought together by record executive L.A. Reid, is set to have eight previously unreleased tracks and is scheduled to be released on May 13.
Check out the Michael Jackson’s “Love Never Felt So Good” single above, and the Usher introduction below.
