Usher on parenting kids with music’s ‘greatest gift’

Usher uses his music to connect with his kids, while trying as hard as he can to not “coddle” them.

“I try to coddle my kids to protect them from emotions and life and love and sex – you can't!” the 45-year-old musician told The Cut in their first-ever solo print issue.

“They want to experience things too. Why make them feel as though they need to hide it?”

Usher is father to sons Usher "Cinco" V, 16, and Naviyd Ely, 15, with his ex-wife, Tameka Foster, as well as daughter Sovereign Bo, 3, and son Sire Castrello, 2, with his wife, Jenn Goicoechea Raymond.

“One of the greatest gifts I could ever give to one of my children is to be able to tell them, 'I know exactly how you feel right now. Listen to this song,' “ he continues. “My house is like a mini art gallery, and my kids are the features.”

“My three-nager is a cold whole trip, but she's so loving and I don't know why I named her Sovereign because she's a dictator. I made her a dictator by way of trait of name,” the R&B artist laughed talking about his baby daughter, adding, “Careful what you ask for because you'll get it.”