USHER - USHER PREDICTS HE'LL BE BIG IN 2004

R+B hunk USHER predicts 2004 will be his career's most successful ever.

The 25-year-old YEAH! singer believes he'll go on to collect a clutch of accolades from his new album CONFESSIONS - and, after having spent half of his life in the business, he insists it's his time to become a superstar.

He says, "I'm not in a rush. Normally, when you get what you deserve, your career is over shortly after.

"If you don't win a GRAMMY, it's not the end of the world. But this year, I hope to clean up in all the different award categories.

"I'll out it out there and say this will be the biggest year of my career."

He jokingly adds, "I'm the greatest of my time. I'm a living legend. I'm the prettiest. I don't care what nobody says. I'm a modern-day MUHAMMAD ALI, and I'll knock you out."