Ryan Toby from the group City High, who was married to group member Claudette Ortiz for three years (2004-2007), recently stopped by the “R&B Money Podcast” and talked about his experience writing for Usher on the Confessions album.
Ryan and hit writer Poo Bear wrote “Caught Up,” “Superstar,” and “Follow Me” on Usher’s 2004 iconic Confessions album.
Confessions is Usher’s best-selling album, which went double diamond with 20 million albums sold.
Ryan Toby said Usher was not feeling him or the songs he was presenting him when they first met.
He also said that Usher was quiet musically during that time, and Justin Timberlake was hot, and Usher felt a way about Justin somewhat emulating his swag.
Toby said Usher had a problem relating to the lyrics in the song “Caught Up” because the term “caught up” was some Philly slang.
Usher’s A&R at the time, Mark Pitts, felt strongly about the song and convinced Toby to get on his P. Diddy and do everything he could to sell Usher on the song.
Toby said when Usher finally did go into the booth to cut “Caught Up,” he loved the way his voice sounded on the record, and he didn’t want to come out of the booth.
Toby said he and Usher became super cool and he views him as his brother.
Watch the clip of the Ryan Toby interview from the “R&B Money Podcast” below:
Ryan Toby is not only a singer, songwriter, and producer, he’s also an actor.
He played Wesley Glen Ahmal James in Sister Act 2: Back In the Habit (1993).
He has also worked with Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, and many others.
Ryan is a part of over 60 million albums sold and over 400 million streams.
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Source: Ryan Toby Store
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