Usher is everywhere. He is the sole artist this year to have dominated the charts. His latest… Usher is everywhere. He is the sole artist this year to have dominated the charts. His latest release, Confessions Part II, has been a massive commercial success. Its first single, “Yeah!,” remained atop the charts for an amazing 12 weeks, only to be replaced by its second single, “Burn.” Confessions Part II is also one of only three releases in history to have three songs in the top 10 at the same time.

Tonight, Usher will play the Mellon Arena with the very special guest Kanye West. We all know what to expect from Usher. No doubt, the 24-year-old star will set the party off right with his ready-for-club classics, only to leave the ladies in awe after crooning his way through his extended library of ballads.

Kanye West is a different story. While Usher has received massive popularity with his latest release, Kanye West’s The College Dropout has garnered both popularity and critical acclaim. And they are well deserved.

Less than a minute into The College Dropout you have to ask yourself: “Is this the best record of the year?!”

“We never had nothing handed/took nothing for granted/took nothing from no man/man I’m my own man!/But as a shorty I looked up to the dope man/only adult man/I knew that wasn’t broke man!” Hmmm, a rap song with a melody — what a novel idea!

But he continues “That major that she majored in don’t make no money/but she won’t drop out her parents will look at her funny/now tell me that ain’t insecure/the concept of school seems so secure/sophomore, three years and picked a career/she like (forget) it/I’ll just stay down here and do hair.” In fact, The College Dropout continues at this pace until you are forced to call up your friends. “Why didn’t you tell me about Kanye?” “I thought you knew!”

Indubitably, Kanye West will be the one kicking off the party right for Usher. This alone makes this show a must for any hip-hop fan. If you can foot the bill, be there.

Usher and Kanye West will be playing the Mellon Arena tonight. The show starts at 7 p.m. with tickets ranging from $47.25 to $59.50. For more information or tickets, call (412) 323-1919.