T-Pain defends Usher after depression revelation: ‘I still love and respect him’

T-Pain has said he ‘still respects’ Usher despite saying that the singer contributed to his ‘four-year depression’. 

In a clip from his appearance on Netflix series This Is Pop, T-Pain revealed how he mental health spiralled after Usher allegedly told him he ‘f****d up music’ by popularising Auto-Tune. 

The anecdote has led to fans bombarding Usher, 42, with criticism on social media, also pointing out that he has used Auto-Tune in his own music. 

Attempting to settle tensions, T-Pain, 35, tweeted on Tuesday: ‘I still love and respect @Usher telling that story was in no way meant to disrespect that man. 

‘Ppl talk s**t about me 24/7 but when it comes from someone you truly respect it hits very different. I never said f**k Ursh it was a drop in the ocean of s**t I was already goin through.’ 

T-Pain, real name Faheem Najm, had explained in the documentary that he was asleep in first class when a flight attendant woke him up and said that Usher wanted to speak to him.

‘He was like, “Man, I wanna tell you something man”. He sounded real concerned. He was like, “Man, you kinda f***ed up music”,’ the singer recalled. 

‘I chuckled a little bit, it was a nervous chuckle but I chuckled. I didn’t understand. I thought he was joking at first. And he was like, you really f****d up music for real singers.’ 

Confirming Usher was referencing T-Pain’s use of Auto-Tune, T-Pain said: ‘I’d used it, I didn’t tell everyone else to start using it. 

‘Literally at the point, I couldn’t listen. Is he right? Did I f**k up music? And that is the very moment, I don’t even think I realised this for a very long time, that was the very moment that started a four-year depression.’ 

T-Pain shot to fame in the mid-noughties with hits such as I’m Sprung, Buy U A Drank, I’m ‘n Luv (Wit a Stripper) and Bartender. In more recent years, he’s enjoyed success with singles like Up Down and Jerry Sprunger. 

Although he popularised Auto-Tune, it’s been noted that pop icon was the first prominent star to use it on her 1998 hit Believe.

Usher is yet to comment on the claims.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : T-Pain experienced ‘four-year depression’ after Usher ‘told him he f***ed up music’

MORE : Naomi Osaka returns to spotlight with Grand Slam style in photo shoot after media boycott