Usher Terry Raymond IV was born on October 14, 1978 in Dallas, Texas and grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He began singing in church choir as a young boy. Two years after moving with his mother and brother to Atlanta, Usher appeared on Star Search the t.v. show and soon after signed a contract with LaFace Records.
In 1994, he released his debut self-titled album at the age of 15. Usher was soon recognized for his streamlined vocals, wide vocal range, slick style, sexy dance moves, and iconic voice. The album was considered a huge success. Usher spent the next few years working on his sophomore album, My Way, which was released in 1997. The album turned him into an R&B star. His singles "You Make Me Wanna" and "Nice & Slow" became major R&B hits.
By 2001, Usher's third studio album, 8701, further strengthened his reputation as smooth singer. 8701 gave Usher two number one pop hits, "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad." This album helped Usher win his first two Grammy Awards. His fourth album, Confessions, was released in 2004, and he changed his image and sound by collaborating with Atlanta artists Lil Jon and Ludacris on the high-profile radio hit "Yeah! " Confessions sold more than 10 million copies in the United States. The album helped secure him three more Grammy's.
Usher began to explore other entertainment ventures, including in 2005, he played the role of a disc jockey defending a mobster's daughter in the film In the Mix. The following year, he played Billy Flynn in the Broadway feature musical "Chicago". After a four-year hiatus, Usher returned to recording and created his album Here I Stand which released in 2008. Usher remained relatively quiet enjoying family life, but still continued to diligently work to create music. By 2010 he released Raymond V. Raymond and the following year he won a Grammy for best contemporary R&B album for his song There Goes My Baby. for the remainder of the decade Usher released other works including Looking 4 Myself, Hard II Love and A.
Unrelated to his musical career Usher continued to grow his on screen presence with reoccurring television roles, and movie roles. Additionally Usher became a co-owner of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005. Usher also created the charitable foundation the New Look Foundation to help youth in need.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
FOLLOW US ON ALL SOCIALS
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter