Full Name: Usher Raymond IV
Age: 44 years old
Birthday: October 14, 1978
Birth Sign: Libra
Born: United States
Relationship Status: Single
Height: 5′ 8′′
Net Worth: $180M
With over 20 years in the music industry and 8 studio albums, Usher has solidified himself as one of the greatest R&B artists of all time. Known for his smooth vocals, incredible dance moves, and chart-topping hits, Usher has won multiple awards including 8 Grammys. Let‘s take a closer look at the man behind the music.
Early Life in Tennessee
Usher Raymond IV was born in Dallas, Texas on October 14, 1978. He spent his early childhood growing up with his single mother Jonnetta Patton in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Usher joined the church youth choir where he discovered his singing talent. At age 9, Usher and his family moved to Atlanta, Georgia for greater opportunities in the music industry.
Discovered in Atlanta
After moving to Atlanta, Usher continued to perform at local talent shows. His mom recognized his talent and put him in more competitions, where Usher caught the eye of a LaFace Records A&R representative. They were blown away by his stage presence and vocals for a 12-year-old. This lead to a audition and eventually a record deal with LaFace.
LaFace Records Deal
At just 12 years old, Usher inked his first record deal with LaFace Records – home to popular R&B acts like TLC and Toni Braxton. In 1993 at only 14 years old, Usher released his first self-titled album Usher which featured his first Billboard Hot 100 top 10 single "Think Of You". The album went gold, immediately establishing Usher as a rising talent in R&B.
Rise to Fame
After releasing his sophomore album My Way in 1997, Usher rose to fame with the album‘s single "Nice & Slow". The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying him as a rising R&B star. However it was his third album 8701 released in 2001 that cemented his status as an R&B icon. The album, which explored themes of relationships and heartbreak, produced chart-topping singles like "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad". With his smooth vocals and infectious melodies, Usher had officially become a household name.
Confessions – His Diamond-Certified Album
In 2004, Usher released what would become the most successful album of his career – Confessions. He enlisted hip-hop producers like Lil Jon to create a fusion of R&B and pop music. With diamond-certified singles like "Yeah!", "Burn", and "Confessions Part II", the album sold over 10 million copies in the US alone. Confessions highlighted Usher‘s artistry and cemented his status as the reigning king of R&B worldwide.
Continued Success and Residency
Even after releasing a diamond-selling album, Usher continued to churn out hits like "Love In This Club" and "OMG" in the late 2000s. He also appeared as a coach on the hit TV singing competition The Voice. After going through a public divorce in 2009, Usher channeled his emotions into his music including in the albums Looking 4 Myself and Hard II Love. Since 2015, Usher has been performing for sold-out crowds in his residency show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Usher‘s Legacy
With over 65 million albums sold worldwide, Usher is undoubtedly one of the best-selling R&B artists of all time. He has influenced generations of artists with his signature smooth vocals and entertaining live performances. Even after over 20 years in the business, Usher is still making Billboard-charting singles cementing his staying power. With 8 Grammy awards and dozens of other accolades, Usher will forever be remembered as the King of R&B music.
