Usher has hailed fellow singer and Rihanna’s rumoured boyfriend Chris Brown as a younger version of himself, insisting the star will "follow the same path".

Usher, 29, was just 15 when he released his self-titled debut album in 1994 and has gone on to forge a highly successful music career.

And the You Make Me Wanna hitmaker is convinced 19-year old Brown is all set to follow in his footsteps and dominate the R&B scene.

He says: "All of this young energy is great for the industry. Chris is the guy who dances and sings, which is a lot like I do and did as a young artist as well.

"If time serves us correctly, and artists are continuing to better themselves, then hopefully he'll follow the same path that I did."