As Usher prepares to kick off his co-headlining tour this summer with Chris Brown, I wanted to take this week’s Slow Jam Saturday to show love to Ryon Lovett, an artist formerly signed to Usher’s short-lived record label, US Records. The label only released the soundtrack for the 2005 film “In The Mix,” in which Usher had a starring role.
Along with Rico Love and One Chance, Ryon Lovett was one of three artists who made their debut on the soundtrack. Lovett’s contribution was titled “Get Acquainted,” which served as a perfect introduction for a singer looking to find his footing in the competitive R&B world. He wrote the song while Usher’s brother, J. Black, produced it.
Beginning with a catchy drumbeat, “Get Acquainted” delivers a simple message about a man trying to catch a young lady’s attention. Utilizing his tenor voice, Lovett never comes off as desperate in the song; instead, he speaks for the guys who see a lady in the club and are trying to find the right words to approach her.
The song’s appearance in the film worked well, as it featured Usher’s character, a DJ trying to win over a woman in the club. Upon hearing the song for the first time, I kept it in heavy rotation during my DJ sets and always found a way to incorporate it. Unfortunately, Lovett never released a full album, but he went on to write songs for Usher, Lloyd, and Justin Bieber.
Twenty-one years later, “Get Acquainted” is still in my rotation, and I wish Lovett had the opportunity to showcase his talent with a complete album.
Final Grade: B+
“Get Acquainted” is available on all streaming platforms.
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