Aaron Cole's Usher Sample Cleared After Viral Post Draws Usher's Blessing

A bedroom video posted by Aaron Cole turned into a gospel release after Usher cleared the sample.

Cole grew up in Bristol, Virginia, in the Church of God in Christ. He said his father would not let him watch BET's 106 & Park. "My dad wasn't having me watch 106 & Park," he said with a laugh.

Early this year, Cole's team pushed him to show more of himself. He recorded a clip in his bedroom, singing church praise over an Usher instrumental, and captioned it for every church kid who snuck to watch the countdown show. "I posted it, and it just went crazy," he said.

The next morning, Chance the Rapper reposted the video. Kehlani engaged with it. Kierra Sheard and Jonathan McReynolds stitched the clip and added their own parts. Comments told him to get in the studio.

His team told him to move by faith. Cole flew to New York, recorded the song, shot a video, and posted a public request to clear the sample "for all the church kids that was sneaking to watch 106 & Park." Fans flooded Usher's comments and tagged his mother. Deitrick Haddon then messaged Cole and offered to send the song to Usher, which started the clearance process.

Cole said he checked comments until 2 a.m. for weeks. He went to bed early one night and woke to a late-night DM from Usher reading, "Blessings." Usher and his manager then pushed to get the sample cleared.

Cole debuted "Usher in the Spirit Again" featuring Jonathan McReynolds on Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell. Hosts Erica Campbell and Griff asked him how the post became a release. Campbell said she loves how the record affects young people, adding, "God can use anything." She also thanked Cole for being fearless. "It feels like a moment that's just bigger than me," Cole said.

Listeners have shared that the song draws them back to church, with some recalling singing Revelation 19 as children and others who have not attended service in years saying they want to return. The single has drawn millions of downloads.

Cole is scheduled to continue discussing the release and its reception in interviews following his appearance on Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell.