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<\/p>\nT-Pain is opening up about how a negative comment\u00a0from Usher kicked off a difficult period in his life.<\/p>\n
In a clip from the\u00a0upcoming Netflix series “This Is Pop,” published by Entertainment Weekly Monday, the singer, whose real name is Faheem Rasheed Najm, revealed\u00a0he fell\u00a0into a years-long depression after Usher criticized his use of Auto-Tune in\u00a0music.<\/p>\n
“Usher was my friend,” T-Pain said in the clip.\u00a0“I really respect Usher. And he was like, ‘Man. I’m gonna tell you something, man. You kinda (expletive)\u00a0up music.’ “<\/p>\n
T-Pain said he let out a “nervous chuckle” at the comment\u00a0but soon realized Usher wasn’t kidding.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t understand,” he said.\u00a0“I thought he was joking at first, but\u00a0then he was like, ‘Yeah man you really (expletive) up music for real singers.’ “<\/p>\n
According to T-Pain, Usher’s comment was the beginning\u00a0of a trying time for his mental health.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
T-Pain is opening up about how a negative comment\u00a0from Usher kicked off a difficult period in his life. (Photo: Axelle\/Bauer-Griffin, FilmMagic)<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m like, ‘But\u00a0I\u00a0used it, I didn’t tell\u00a0everybody else\u00a0to start using it,’ ” T-Pain said.\u00a0“I don’t even think I realized this for a long time, but that’s the very moment that started a four-year depression for me.”<\/p>\n T-Pain\u00a0almost single-handedly popularized the use of the pitch-altering technology Auto-Tune in hip-hop, beginning with his 2005 debut hit single, \u201cI\u2019m Sprung,\u201d which made it to the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100\u00a0chart.<\/p>\n “This Is Pop” is an eight-part series uncovering the real stories behind some of the biggest artists and moments in pop music history, according to Netflix’s description.\u00a0In addition to T-Pain, it will feature interviews with\u00a0Shania Twain, Boyz II Men, Chuck D, Brandi Carlile, Neko Case and more. The series will be released in full Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n Netflix: <\/strong>Steven Spielberg to make ‘multiple feature films’ for Netflix in new production deal<\/span><\/p>\n In 2019, the singer opened up about his past financial problems, telling\u00a0the hosts of the Breakfast Club\u00a0he used to have\u00a0to ask for money to buy basic necessities.<\/p>\n