Usher meets Leehom

It's either putting a scoop of ice cream on apple pie or adding insult to injury: Ultimate Abs artist Usher will be joined onstage by pretty boy Wang Leehom (Wang Lihong, 王力宏) for a duet at the Sunday, July 11 show at Wukesong Arena.

“I am really excited! It is a great honor to be able to perform with Usher who has had such a powerful role in developing R&B around the world.” Wang, a self-professed Usher fan told the press. “The audience in Beijing is in for a really special night.”

Usher, who says he often collaborates with artists from all over the world, says that this is first time to collaborate with a Chinese musician and is “hoping this East meets West performance will be the start of something new in R&B.” Their collaboration continues a general trend towards having local artists open for international names -- although yes we know, Wang is only “local” in a very regional sense.

Previous outings have included Shou Ren's pretty competent set opening for Linkin Park in Shanghai in 2007, Cui Jian joining the Rolling Stones on stage for "Wild Horses" in 2006, and Cui Jian's unfairly abbreviated but still embarrassing set opening for Deep Purple in 2004. At least the sound quality, and for those who are into it, sights, at this one should be good. We're lovin' it!