R. Kelly & Usher, Same Girl | Dazzling Duets

In the fourth edition of Dazzling Duets (2025), Grammy-winning R&B musicians R. Kelly and Usher collaborate on “Same Girl.” 

Sometimes, two is better than one! That is the case when it comes to Dazzling Duets! On Dazzling Duets, we highlight ear-catching songs performed by two artists collaborating. These duets can be from any musical style, making Dazzling Duets a flexible, versatile column on The Musical Hype. In the fourth edition of Dazzling Duets (2025), R. Kelly and Usher collaborate on “Same Girl”. Let the dazzle begin!

“We messing with the same girl (Same girl) / The same girl / How could the love of my life / And my potential wife be the / The same girl…” That is a great question, R. Kelly.  The disgraced R&B singer/songwriter had a knack for outlandish, soap opera R&B songs before his epic downfall.  One of Kells’ best duets from the 2000s comes by way of “Same Girl”. Kelly linked up with one of the era’s biggest superstars, Usher – “These are my confessions!” “Same Girl” was the ninth track on Kelly’s platinum-certified 2007 album, Double Up. The duet peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, his second top 20 single from the LP. R. Kelly co-wrote “Girl” with Lil Ronnie (Ronald Jackson) and James Smith.  Kelly and Jackson produced it.

The premise of “Same Girl” is simple. Both R. Kelly and Usher are dating the same girl. There is nothing complex or transcendent about the songwriting. But, admittedly, it’s entertaining. Both artists perform throughout three verses and three choruses. R. introduces this fine girl in the first verse: “She stands about 5’4”, Coca Cola, redbone /… And I call her TeTe.” His details prompt Usher to ask questions, which Kelly answers in song: “Does she got a beauty mark on the left side of her mouth (Man…) / Went to Georgia Tech? (Yup) Works for TBS (Yup) / Man, I can’t believe this shit, damn.” Eventually, we reach the chorus where reality sets in – they are messing around with the same girl.  Of course, this gets milked for all its worth, against a gorgeous, sleek contemporary R&B backdrop. “And I thought it was true confessions when she said, ‘I love you,’” Kells sings in the second verse, with Ush responding, “Look, I even got some pictures on my phone.” So, what do these men decide to do? “Man, just ask her to meet up with you / And I’m going to show up too,” Kelly sings, with Usher responding, “And she won’t know what to do.” Clearly. The vocal chemistry between the singers is superb – two dynamic voices on one track. These days, it is difficult to reference R. Kelly’s music given his horrific crimes, but, looking back on “Same Girl”, a fabulous R&B duet, it reminds you how talented he was.  It is a shame he squandered it, sigh.