Oprah Winfrey is the only person to have been granted an interview with Usher about his heated custody battle for sons Usher Raymond V and Naviyd with ex-wife Tameka Foster.

In an Oprah’s Next Chapter episode that aired Sunday night, the musician had plenty to say, though he also worked hard to remain respectful.

Usher on speaking publicly about the custody battle:

“This will be the only time that I’ve ever chosen to speak about it. I’ve been a man of integrity throughout the entire process, which I hope my boys will understand. That’s the way to go. That’s the way to be.”

On Tameka Foster’s accusations he is an absentee father:

“Absentee from the aspect of having to go and work, that probably would be her version or idea what absentee would be. But no, I’m not an absentee father at all.”

On the loss of Kile Glover, Tameka’s son from a previous relationship:

“I miss Kile. We cooked together, we laughed, we sang. He loved to sing and dance. He loved to tell jokes.”

“It hurts me to hear people speculating that I wasn’t at the funeral.  absolutely was at the funeral. I was at the burial as well.”

On fatherhood, going forward:

“I was born to do what I’m doing as a dad. I realized that once I had a child. When I had them, that’s when they became a priority. It wasn’t because of this case.”

photo: PR Photos