Usher Biography

"With every album, I try to better myself. I'm a perfectionist and with the success of my last record, I wasn't sure about where my growth should be - as a performer, as a vocalist."
- Usher

International superstar musician and actor Usher was spotted by a LaFace record executive at a talent show in Atlanta, Georgia, after that his career take off. Usher Raymond was introduced to the world as 'Usher,' and released his debut album of the same name in 1994. That featured co-executive producer Sean 'Puffy' Combs.

Usher's first single, 'Think of You,' was became very popular. Usher then recorded a national holiday jingle for Coca-Cola in 1995 ans also grouped himself with top male R&B vocalists, in the way to form Black Men United for the single 'You Will Know'.

Usher displayed his maturity and songwriting skills by co-writing six of the nine songs and enlisted the help of producers Jermaine Dupri, Babyface. The album's first single, 'You Make Me Wanna,' re-established Usher as one of R&B's hottest artists and a crossover sensation.

His single 'You Make Me Wanna,' former stayed at number one on the R&B charts for eight weeks and became his first number one pop single. While the same time Usher launched an acting career, and appeared horror spoof 'The Faculty' in 1998 as well as in 1999 urban high-school drama Light It Up.

International fame, and album 'My Way' earned him the 1998 Billboard Best Performer of the Year award. But he wont allow his fans to go away from his singing and to tide them over, he issued a concert recording titled simply Live in 1999. Again in 2000 Usher was back with his third album, 'All About U'. In 2001 Usher again moved from a teen pop star to a sultry R&B singer because of his third album, 8701.

Usher Trivia

• Usher recently became the first artiste in 34 years to top Billboard Hot 100 singles chart four times in a year. (Dec 10, 2004)

• Is launching the first-ever celebrity debit card. The Usher Raymond 4th Debit MasterCard, is backed by the financial service group Bankfirst. (July 31, 2004)

• Has three singles from his album Confessions in Billboard top 10, a feat only previously matched by British bands the Beatles and the Bee Gees. (May 29, 2004)

• With 'Confessions' released Usher is concentrating on his return to movies. Ush will star in & executive-produce a film about a young singer who tries to escape life in "the'hood" through his music - think 8 Mile, but in the R&B world. Filming is scheduled to start in early 2005. (Dec 2004)

• Swears his latest album, Confessions, – which features songs about a painful breakup and infidelity – is not a reflection on his recent split with TLC member Rozonda Chilli Thomas. (March 25, 2004) Usher says his mother is his best friend. He credits her for keeping him grounded. She continues to guide Usher's career as his manager today, a duty she assumed after quitting her full-time office job when deciding to move to Atlanta.

• Chosen as one of Teen People Magazine's 21 Hottest Stars Under 21. (1999)