Usher's "Raymond" release delayed

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - The release date for Usher's new album, recently announced as December 21, has been changed, according to a spokesperson at Jive Label Group.

A new release date for "Raymond v. Raymond" is still being determined. According to the spokesperson, the date change is designed to give the album the proper setup time that it deserves. "This is a solid album that we believe in. We want to give it a proper launch."

The album's lead single, "Papers," holds the No. 2 post on the current Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Usher's last album, 2008's "Here I Stand," has sold 1.2 million units, according to Nielsen SoundScan. His biggest-selling album to date is 2004's "Confessions," whose total stands at 9.7 million units.