Usher tackles racial profiling, police brutality in music video

Usher's self-titled debut album dropped when he was just 15 years-old. In 21 years, he's put out seven studio albums, selling more than 65 million copies, won numerous awards and topped the charts with hits like "Yeah!" and "Burn."

The Grammy-winning star is back with a new album unlike anything he's done before. His video for the single "Chains" lends a powerful message of the issue of racial profiling and police brutality.

"It comes at a time where I think the entire planet is seeing what's going on in terms of the social injustice in America and the idea that racial bigotry is really diminishing lives of families," Usher said on "CBS This Morning" Tuesday.

Inspired by socially conscious songs of artists like Bob Dylan and Marvin Gaye, Usher said he wanted to use the musical platform to "echo the reality that is going on in the world."

Using facial-recognition technology and the hashtag #DontLookAway, the video forces the viewer to confront racial profiling and brutality by staring into the eyes of eight victims. The interactive video demands the viewer's full attention by automatically pausing the music if the viewers' eyes wander from the screen.

"When you look into the eyes of the victim, you hear the song and you begin to make a connection, and that empathy, that compassion is what I hope of fueling America to really address the issue," Usher said.

While the song holds personal meaning for the father of two young boys, the singer said the song's message is universal and that "no matter what color, what place we come from, we're all affected."

"Today, I'm really doing something that I feel is a contribution as an artist," usher said. "I think we all have to do something and this is something I could offer."