Plies Talks About Being Cut From Usher's 'Love In This Club' Remix, His Admiration For Ne-Yo

There was a version of the remix of Usher's "Love in This Club" on tap that was almost completely different than the one actually released. We almost heard Usher trying to have sex in the nightspot with Mariah Carey instead of Beyoncé.

"At the time, it was conveyed to me that it was supposed to be Usher, Mariah Carey and me," Plies told us about how he laid two verses for a remix to the hit single. "Obviously, that was a no-brainer as far as putting down what I had to do. ... I sent two verses to them. Then I get a call from a friend of mine at a radio station that they was getting ready to go with the record, but the version they had didn't have me on it."

Of course, the version that went to radio featured Usher, Beyoncé and Lil Wayne.

"For me, I never allow myself to ever take anything personal in this business," he explained record. "I know a lot of times [there's] so much political stuff tied into a decision. It was good [for] me, because I got a call from Usher, and he let me know he was clear about the situation. He loved the verse, he loved the record, but on their end, they ended up going with the version they went with. For Usher to even consider me to be a part of the situation, that was good enough for me."

And there are a handful of other singers who didn't miss a chance to work with the Fort Myers, Florida, native. Janet Jackson recently lent her vocals to his hit "Bust It Baby Part 2" without Plies even knowing (by the way, a "Bust It Baby," he says, is a woman who gives him his best sexual experience). Jamie Foxx, The-Dream, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole and J. Holiday also appear on his Tuesday release, Definition of Real. His debut, The Real Testament, came out less than a year ago.

Plies describes his working with Ne-Yo as "another blessing."

"To have the dude that has forced his will on this game, whether it's from the songwriting side or singing his own #1 records ... for me, he's a person I always wanted to work with," he said of Ne-Yo. "He's just a person I didn't think I would get a chance to work with this early in my career."

Plies recalled when he and Ne-Yo met by chance — and the two turned out to be part of a mutual-admiration society.

"He approached me and told me he loved what I was doing musically," Plies said. "It was weird for me, because I probably told him nine of his records I was a true fan of. We agreed that at some point we wanted to work together. To have the opportunity to work with somebody I respected from a distance, see his journey to where he's currently at, not only was it a great feeling, it's something that was a part of my life that ...," he trailed off, taking time to get his thoughts together. "I thanked him so much for helping me provide for my family. I know he gets tired of me texting him. I appreciate it. I think it's important for me to remain as humble as possible and let the good things and bad things help mold me."

The worst thing Plies has experienced since being in the music industry is his big brother's incarceration. Big Gates, ne Ronnell Lawrence Layatte, was arrested in 2006 for his involvement in a shooting at a Gainesville, Florida, nightclub shortly after a Plies performance. Plies' brother, who also helps guide his career, still has at least one more year in prison before he can come home.

Plies' song "Die Together" addresses his sibling, whom he has no problem declaring he looks up to. "It's basically saying, 'This is our bond,' " he explained. "We know we gotta die one day, but when it is our turn, you can take us together."

Plies said his brother has only heard a portion of the song during their phone calls, because it's too emotional. "He made me stop playing it," Plies said. "I played it for him over the phone. Soon as I recorded it, that night, he called. I said, 'Bruh, I gotta let you hear this. It's the best record I ever did.' He said, 'Man, you always tell me that.' Probably halfway through the first verse, he said, 'Man, cut it off. Bruh, I can't tell you the last time I cried, but I can feel [tears coming on]. Just play it for me when I get home.' I feel I succeeded with everything I was trying to get across."

"Somebody (Loves You)," which samples Patti LaBelle's classic of the same name, also talks about losing loved ones to the prison system. "[It says,] 'I wish I could hug all my homies who lost trial.' It's important for me to make that kind of music," Plies said.

His next single is another record dedicated to sexy women — "Please Excuse My Hands," featuring Jamie Foxx and The-Dream. Plies already has his next album, titled The Realest, slotted for a December 16 release.

This report is from MTV News.

Ludacris Carries The Show At New Mexico Gig After Game, David Banner Cancel

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — Being on Hollywood movie sets over the past year hasn't spoiled Ludacris' stage presence: He's got the same charisma and gusto on the mic that he's always had.

Good thing, too — Luda needed all his star power on Sunday night as he headlined Albuquerque's third annual "New Mexico Takeover," a concert featuring local acts, old-school legends and today's top stars. However, 'Cris had to carry the bulk of the weight in the latter category on Sunday night, when two of the show's main attractions, David Banner and Game, were no-shows.

Banner's absence was unexplained, while the announcer told the 15,000-plus-strong crowd at the Journal Pavilion here that Game was not coming because he was sick. A chorus of boos filled the night air at the outdoor venue like plumes of smoke from the food court's grill — the announcement came right before 'Cris hit the stage. Thanks, guys ...

Still, Luda was oblivious, kicking off his set with "Southern Fried Intro." Chants of "Luuuuddddaaa!!!" busted out as he then went into "Number One Spot."

'Cris told the crowd that he wanted to take them back around eight years and his DJ put on "Act a Fool," which was followed by "Southern Hospitality."

"So this is 505, right?" he said later in the set, referring to city's area code. "Guess what I got in the 505? I got hoes!" Naturally, this led into "Area Codes."

"When I say 'Where's da ho's?', you're not supposed to make any noise!" Luda said to the crowd with a grin — some audience members were so hyped they responded to the wrong question.

"Where's the independent women at?" he then asked to cheers. Luda and hypeman/ DTP member Lil' Fate then started the shouts of "Oh! Oh!" that set off "Splash Waterfalls."

Throughout the show, Luda proved that not only can he bring premium excitement without the use of elaborate sets, background dancers or bands, but his reputation as one of hip-hop's best live acts is due largely to his abundance of strong material: His catalog is so thick that it seemed on Sunday that he could have performed for well north of two hours if he wanted to.

After playing "I Know What Them Girls Like" (the first commercial single from his November 11 release, Theater of the Mind), Luda jumped into the photographer pit to touch fans' hands on "Lovers and Friends." He then said, "We was supposed to get off the stage 15 minutes ago, but we got so many songs ... I'mma give y'all another song, you ready? I just don't want anybody to get hurt."

Of course the song that followed was his most rambunctious effort to date, "Move B---h."

"Get the F--- Back," which followed, was pretty rowdy as well, and 'Cris closed the night with "Money Maker," never losing energy and keeping the crowd's attention and participation throughout the entire show.



This report is from MTV News.