Usher

In the scattered field of teenage R&B singers who emerged onto the music scene in the early-mid Nineties, only one has managed to grow towards further success and cement himself as a superstar — Usher. Over the course of the past fifteen years, the Atlanta-based singer/dancer has released several increasingly popular albums, while also standing as a reference point for many of today's popular male R&B vocalists.

Usher (full name: Usher Raymond IV) was born in Chattanooga, TN, and got his first break in 1992, at age 13, when he performed on Star Search. This performance led to his signing to LaFace Records and releasing his first single Call Me a Mack, which appeared on 1993's Poetic Justice soundtrack. Released in 1994, Usher's self-titled debut was executive-produced by Sean "Puffy" Combs. Although Think of You was a minor hit on the R&B charts, the album didn't even crack the Top 100 Albums List.

1997's My Way paired Usher with the hottest songwriters and producers in R&B, including Babyface, Teddy Riley, and most importantly, Jermaine Dupri. Dupri and Usher generated a certain chemistry, and the pairing resulted in three consecutive smash hits. You Make Me Wanna... spent 11 weeks at #1 on the R&B charts and 7 weeks at #2 on the pop charts (sitting behind Elton John's massive Princess Diana tribute). The follow-up, Nice & Slow, became Usher's first pop #1, while the album's title track went Top 5. The album established Usher as a star to watch, selling 5 million copies and winning the young singer a series of Billboard Music Awards, including "Artist of the Year". At the same time, Usher became known as an actor, starring in the film Light it Up and appearing on the sitcom Moesha as well as the daytime soap The Bold & The Beautiful.

A live album released in 1999 performed well, and a third album called The Wonderful World of U was scheduled for a late 2000 release. However, first single Pop Ya Collar stalled on the charts, and Usher was sent back into the studio to retool the album. Now re-titled 8701, it was finally released in late summer 2001 and wound up establishing Usher as a bona-fide superstar. U Remind Me and U Got it Bad both hit #1 pop and R&B, and Usher wound up snagging his first two Grammy Awards for songs from this album. Featuring production by Dupri, as well as the legendary team of Jam & Lewis and young upstarts The Neptunes, it was the perfect synthesis of classic soul with modern-day hip-hop elements. Usher's singing and dancing capabilities in his videos and on his tours earned him the respect of his peers as well as the adulation of screaming girls around the country.

In the years after 8701, Usher became something of a tabloid sensation. His relationship with TLC singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas hit a dead end amid rumors of infidelity. Usher bristled at the new crop of pop/R&B singers who followed in his wake, most notably Justin Timberlake, who he threw a few barbs towards in the press. In the meantime, the pre-release campaign for his fourth album, Confessions, reached fever pitch after a leaked teaser track, Yeah! (featuring Lil' Jon & Ludacris) became an unexpected smash. The album was released in spring 2004 amid buzz that the lyrical content of its title track (in which Usher apologizes to his girlfriend for impregnating a woman on the side) was written from personal experience. Usher spouted non-denials long enough to see Confessions rack up the biggest first-week sales for an R&B album in history (1.1 million). The album stayed at or near the top of the charts for most of 2004, racking up four #1 singles. It's sold nearly 10 million copies and won Usher three Grammy Awards in 2005.

After Confessions' success, Usher branched out even further, although his first leading film role (In The Mix) stiffed, as did One Chance, the first act released on his label. Usher's had more success as a part-owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team and with his own fragrance. He also had a successful run in the Broadway musical Chicago.

In 2007, Usher became a husband and a first-time father, amid a bit of controversy (his reasonably-older wife was a divorcee, his mother/manager disapproved of the marriage and the wedding was even called off once).

In May 2008, Usher will release his fifth studio album, Here I Stand. The album was preceded by the single Love in This Club, which features rapper Young Jeezy. The song has already peaked at #1 on Billboard's Pop & R&B singles charts, and a second version, which features Beyonce (link), is rising up the charts.

USHER MUSIC REVIEWS

Confessions (2004) - One of the better R&B albums of 2004 ... (Confessions review)

USHER - OTHER ALBUMS

Here I Stand (2008)
8701 (2001)
Live (1999)
My Way (1997)
Usher (1994)

-- M. Heyliger