Usher breaks with manager mam

R&B star Usher has split from his manager mother, insisting he just wants her to be "mom".

Jonnetta Patton has been in charge of her son's career since he was a teenager, but both parties deny the sudden split was prompted by a rift.

The Grammy winning artist says: "She and I are on great terms and support each other in our life's endeavours. We are both very happy but are now working in different areas of the business.

"This is great for me because it means I now get to have my mother strictly as my mother with no added pressure.

"At this time in my life, I am simply more interested in building the strength of my family. And in order to do that, I feel it's best to separate my business life from my personal life."

Reports speculate Usher's fiancée, stylist Tameka Foster, is likely to replace Patton as Usher's manager but the singer insists: "She has no aspirations of becoming my manager or any other artist's manager."

The pair announced their engagement earlier this year.