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The prolonged custody battle between R&B recording artist Usher and his ex-wife Tameka Foster Raymond has concluded with Fulton County Superior Court Judge Bensonetta Tipton Lane granting primary custody of Usher V, 4, and Naviyd Ely, 3, to the 33-year-old singer.

TMZ reports:

Usher‘s ex-wife Tameka Raymond just lost in the former couple’s bitter custody battle — TMZ has learned, a judge has awarded Usher primary custody of their two sons.

It’s a shocking development — considering both sides were trying to strip each other of custody. Tameka felt the singer was an absentee father who was too absorbed in his career to be a good dad. She also accused him of using drugs in front of the kids.

Usher argued Tameka was inattentive and irresponsible.

The ruling marks the end of an emotional custody trial — involving wild accusations and name-calling … Usher even broke down at one point on the witness stand.

But today, we’re told a judge sided with the singer — awarding Usher primary custody of the ex-couple’s two sons, which means the children will be spending the majority of the time with their father.

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This is a tragic development for Foster Raymond. As previously reported by NewsOne, her son, Kile Glover, 11, died last month after struck in the head by a jet-ski on Atlanta’s Lake Lanier. Usher reportedly asked for the trial to be postponed but his ex-wife refused, writing in a statement:

I remain in the unfortunate position of having to respond to and attend court proceedings that were not initiated or begun by me. I did not file this custody case (January 2011) and was content with the ‘joint custody’ arrangement that we share.  Most importantly, nor do I wish to appear in court while I am mourning the loss of my son. But I do not want to delay thus prolong these proceedings either; I’d rather continue this arduous process hoping it will help move me through this most difficult period in my life.  People seem to be privy to only my filed responses as ‘Defendant’ to the initiation of this case (Jan 4, 2011), when I have only been defending myself and protecting the best interests of my children through my counsel. I cannot control how the media reports are written/slanted/spun or even how court documents may be manipulated in their attribution of certain statements as if they are direct “quotes” from me- yet I can control what I actually say myself.

This may sound really cliché but you must NOT believe everything you read or hear and never judge… especially without solid facts and always, but always consider the source. Discernment is key. My boys are my entire world and I will fight tooth and nail to keep all of my sons together as a family, I pray for a swift, peaceful resolution so that we all can move forward.

According to court clerk’s office spokeswoman Cherrise Boone, Usher’s custody will start Sept. 1. The couple will retain joint legal custody.

Usher with his sons:

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