Edd’s MANtra: Let It Burn

Late last week, the inbox on my cell phone was flooded with text messages telling me about Usher’s divorce. Being the superior journalist that I am, I’m always skeptical of text message rumors (remember when Kat Williams supposedly died in a car crash?) but when I get three or more messages saying the same thing, it’s usually pretty accurate.

And what do you know, the ghetto grapevine had its facts straight. From nme.com:

Usher and wife Tameka Foster are getting a divorce after just two years of marriage. The couple has two children, an 18-month old and a 6-month old. The two have apparently been living apart for nearly a year now.

Now it’s no secret that I have no love for Usher, but I kinda feel for him. He might not be getting a Christmas card from me this year but I hate to see so many marriages crumbling.

Y’all remember what happened with Nas and Kelis, who have been going through a pretty nasty divorce themselves. Kelis has been twittering about Nas’ alleged creeping, while Nasty Nas is trying his best to keep those spousal support checks to himself.

Drama. I wonder if Nas wishes he hadn’t written all those songs about her. I bet he crosses them off his concert performance list.

Now don’t get me wrong, all problems aren’t related to creepin’. According to People, it seemed Usher and his ex never seemed to get things together:

“They peaked before they even got married,” a friend of Tameka comments. “Right after it was over, they started to drift apart. [Usher] just wasn’t ready to settle down, at least not with her.”

“He just wasn’t used to calling her if he was going to be out late,” says the source. “He didn’t treat her bad. He just took her for granted.”

Before people rush into relationships – whether it’s marriage or simply dating – I wish couples would take more time to work out their issues and to weigh what they really want. Remember when Usher got mad when Tameka’s criminal record came out right before they got married? Or when Tameka nearly died while getting some raggedy cosmetic surgery in Brazil? Oh yeah, they had issues.

Usher and Tameka may have wanted to be responsible parents for their babies, but if they rush things and get divorced anyway, it’s worthless in the long run. I hope young couples take heed.