Usher Raymond IV was born on October 14, 1978, inDallas,Texas.[8] His parents areJonnetta Patton (née O'Neal) and Usher Raymond III.[9][10] He spent the majority of his young life inChattanooga, Tennessee. His father left the family when Usher was a year old. Usher grew up with his mother, then-stepfather, and half-brother James Lackey (born 1984). Directed by his mother, Usher joined the local church youth choir in Chattanooga when he was nine years old. There, his grandmother discovered his ability to sing, although it was not until Usher joined a singing group that she considered he could sing professionally.[11] Believing that a bigger city would provide greater opportunities for showcasing his talent, Usher's family moved toAtlanta,Georgia, where there was a more conducive environment for beginning singers.[12] While in Atlanta, he attendedNorth Springs High School.[13]
Career
Late 1980s–1996: Musical beginnings andUsher
At age ten, Usher joined an R&B local quintet called the NuBeginning, which was organized by local music promoter Darryl Wheeler. Usher recorded ten songs with the group in 1991, and the ensuing album,Nubeginning Featuring Usher Raymond IV, was only made available regionally and bymail order.[14] However, Patton took him out because, according to her, it was a "bad experience".[11] The album was re-released nationally in April 2002 by Hip-O Records.[14][15]
At age 13, Usher met A.J. Alexander at a local talent show in Atlanta.[16] Alexander, who at the time wasBobby Brown's bodyguard, would take Usher around and have him perform in parking lots and talent shows.[17] Alexander invited Bryant Reid, anA&R representative fromLaFace Records to see Usher perform on the television talent showStar Search. Following the performance, he arranged an audition for Usher withL.A. Reid, the co-founder of LaFace; Reid signed Usher on the spot to a contract with the record company after Usher sangBoyz II Men hit record "End of the Road".[18][19] Usher's mother left her job as a medical technician to manage his career. He was introduced to the public on "Call Me a Mack", a song recorded for the soundtrack album to the 1993drama-romance filmPoetic Justice.[14]
While preparing for his debut album, Usher lost his voice. He was going through puberty and had a difficult time adjusting his vocals. LA Reid became skeptical of Usher, put his album on hold and considered dropping him from the label.[20] Usher pleaded with the label to keep him and they did. From this point Reid did not know what to do with Usher so he sent him toNew York City in the spring of 1994 to live with record executiveSean Combs—also known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy—to "attend" what Reid called "Flavor Camp". Usher quickly adapted to the lavish lifestyle of Puff Daddy although in an interview withRolling Stone, he described this period as the "hardest days" of his life. "I had to knuckle up, figure shit out in New York" he said.[21]
On August 30, 1994, LaFace released Usher'sself-titled debut album behind the co-executive production of Sean Combs.[18]Usher peaked at number twenty-five on theBillboardTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was accompanied by three singles: "Can U Get wit It", "Think of You", and "The Many Ways".[22] The album sold over 500,000 copies, by December 2008.[23] The album received backlash because Usher was singing about sex, and him only being 15 years old, the public had a difficult time believing that this was so. LaFace had reservations again about signing Usher because the album was not as successful as they anticipated. At this time Usher's mother took control of his career and put him in more talent shows the summer of 1995 building Usher a larger fan base and ultimately giving L.A. Reid more confidence in Usher.[citation needed]
After graduating from high school, Usher continued to develop his skills as a stage performer and laid the groundwork for his second album. He also appeared on LaFace's version of "Let's Straighten It Out", a 1995 duet with fellow Atlanta teen recording artistMonica;[24] and on "Dreamin'", from LaFace's1996 Olympic Games benefit albumRhythm of the Games. He was also featured on "I Swear I'm In Love" off the soundtrack to the 1996 filmKazaam.[25]
1997–2003:My Way and8701
Usher developed a friendship with American record producerJermaine Dupri, with whom he co-wrote and produced several tracks for his second album,My Way, released on September 16, 1997. The album's lead single, "You Make Me Wanna...", reached number one in the United Kingdom, becoming Usher's first record to be top single; this resulted in him increasing in popularity.[26][27] It also became Usher's firstgold- and platinum-certified single in the United States.[28] The album's second single, "Nice & Slow", peaked in January 1998 at number one on theBillboard Hot 100, giving Usher his first US number-one single.[29] In February of the same year, the single was certified platinum by theRIAA.My Way has been certified seven-time platinum in the United States.[28][30]
Usher made his acting debut on theUPN television seriesMoesha, which resulted in a recurring role on the series and subsequently his first film role in 1998'sThe Faculty.[12][23] Usher's extracurricular activities outside of the recording industry gathered momentum over the following year, as he was cast in the soap operaThe Bold and the Beautiful.[12][23] He completed two more films,She's All That, and his first starring role inLight It Up.[12][23] He also appeared in theDisney TV movieGeppetto.[32]
Usher's third studio album, originally titledAll About U, was stated to be released in early 2001.[33] The first single, "Pop Ya Collar", was released in late 2000 and became a number two hit in the UK but underperformed in the United States.[34] The album was subsequently pushed back and retooled after select tracks were later leaked to the radio and Internet. At the same time, LaFace went dormant, moving most of its artists, including Usher, to its parent company, Arista Records.[citation needed] After having revised and renamed to8701, the album was released on August 7, 2001 (8.7.01).[12] The first two singles "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad" each topped theBillboard Hot 100 for four and six weeks, respectively.8701 has been certified five-time platinum in the United States.[28]
Usher's fourth studio album,Confessions, was released on March 23, 2004—just as its first single, "Yeah!", was in its sixth week at number one on theBillboard Hot 100 and fifth week on top of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Chart.[39] The album's nearly 1.1 million unit debut sales was the highest first-week numbers ever scanned by a male R&B artist and the seventh best of theNielsen SoundScan history.[40][41] The album has since sold over 20 million copies worldwide,[42] with over 14 million in the United States, earning the album a Diamond certification by theRIAA.[43][44][30]
The album's second and third singles, "Burn" and "Confessions Part II", also topped theBillboard Hot 100, the former for eight weeks. Usher became the first artist to top theBillboardHot 100 Airplay with four consecutive number-one singles,[45] In September 2004, "My Boo", a duet with American singer-songwriterAlicia Keys, also peaked at number one at theBillboard Hot 100, becoming the album's fourth number-one single.[46] In December, the album's final single "Caught Up" peaked at number eight on the Hot 100.[34] By that time, Arista went inactive[47][48] and following its parent,BMG's merger withSony Music,[49] his previous label, LaFace, was revived under theJive/Zomba Group banner, bringing Usher back to the fold.[citation needed]
Confessions earned Usher numerous awards, including fourAmerican Music Awards, twoMTV Europe Music Awards, twoMTV Video Music Awards, and three World Music Awards.[50][51][52][53] At the 47th annual Grammy Awards ceremony in 2005, Usher won three awards, including: R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals for "My Boo", which he shared with Keys; Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Yeah!"; and Contemporary R&B Album forConfessions. At the 2004Billboard Music Awards, Usher was recognized Artist of the Year, in addition to receiving 10 other accolades.[54]
Usher supportedConfessions with "The Truth Tour". The tour set featured a small stage up on top of the main stage, where the band played with Usher and his supporting dancers left with enough room to perform. The smaller stage had a mini platform attached to it which lowered to the main stage and had two big staircases on both sides of it. To the left, a group of circular staircases climbed to the top, and to the right, there was a fire escape replete with steps and an elevator.Kanye West andChristina Milian were the opening acts for the tour.[55]
Usher at select dates would bring out a special guest, during his Atlanta show taping he brought out his artist at the timeRico Love to rap a verse on the song "Throwback". During a more intimate part of the show, Usher's dancers selected singerMonica from the crowd to be serenaded by Usher while he sang album favorites "Do it to Me" and "Superstar". Usher also performed theConfessions Pt. II remix, whereKanye West would appear from back of the stage. Then lastly Usher would also bring out artistLil Jon andLudacris where they would finish the show performing the hit "Yeah". This concert date was filmed to make the official tour DVD of Truth Tour: Behind the Truth "Live from Atlanta". It has been certified by theRIAA selling more than 7 Million copies.[56]
In the spring of 2005, Usher scored a number three Hot 100 hit as a featured vocalist onLil Jon's "Lovers & Friends".[57] In 2007, Usher also collaborated withR. Kelly on the track "Same Girl", for Kelly's albumDouble Up.[58] He was also featured in a remix version ofOmarion's "Ice Box".[59] Usher also appeared on the track "Shake Down" on American singer-songwriterMary J. Blige's 2007 albumGrowing Pains.[60] According toRobert Hilburn ofLos Angeles Times, Usher was voted number-one on the executive voting based "Pop's Power List" and described as a "sure-fire property".[61] In November 2005, Usher starred as a disc jockey named Darrell in theLions Gate filmIn the Mix.[62]
On August 22, 2006, Usher took over the role of Billy Flynn in the long-running Broadway revival of the musicalChicago.[63] Usher's opening night brought out starsPenélope Cruz,Gabrielle Union,Clive Davis, andRosie Perez among others.[64] Usher played the role of Flynn for two months but a case of strep throat brought an abrupt ending to Usher's run inChicago, which saw a spike in ticket sales after he joined the cast. TheNew York Post reports that Usher's absence cost the production an estimated $400,000 in refunds to disappointed ticket buyers. The producer of Chicago,Barry Weissler, issued a statement sending his "thoughts and best wishes to Usher for a quick and speedy recovery. Usher made a spectacular Broadway debut, bringing a great dedication, work ethic and his amazing talent to the show. We all hope that he might return at some point for the many fans that were unable to see his wonderful performance as Billy Flynn. Usher has found a new home on Broadway and is welcomed back anytime."[65]
Raymond v. Raymond was released on March 26, 2010, in Germany, March 30, 2010, in the US, and April 26, 2010, in the UK.[73] The album was expected to follow in Usher'sConfessions album's footsteps.Raymond v. Raymond was released only months after Usher's divorce from Tameka Foster. "Papers", a song about divorce,[74] was released as the first single for the album in October 2009. It topped theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for two consecutive weeks, becoming his tenth number one single on that chart. It also peaked at number 31 on theBillboard Hot 100 in the United States. Critics praised the song for its emotion. "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)" was released as the second single on December 8, 2009. The single peaked at number 24[75] on theBillboard Hot 100 chart and number 2[76] on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was released as the second international single in July 2010. "Lil Freak" was announced as the album's official second single in the United States. Usher andNicki Minaj shot the music video for the song on March 9, 2010, in Los Angeles with director TAJ Stansberry.[77] It reached number 8 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart[78] and number 40 on theBillboard Hot 100.[79] It became Usher's fourth Top 40 hit single fromRaymond v. Raymond, when including the buzz single "Papers".[80]
"OMG", which featureswill.i.am, is the third official US single and the first international single. The song received mixed reviews, complimenting the song's dance and club vibe but criticizing theAuto-Tune effect. It reached number-one in Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States. The song became his ninth number one in the United States, making him the first 2010s artist to collect number one singles in three consecutive decades, and only the fourth artist of all-time to achieve the feat. Usher also became the third artist to have at least one number one song from five consecutive studio albums. The song's choreography and dance-heavy accompanying music video has been compared to that of "Yeah!". "There Goes My Baby" was released to airplay as the album's fourth single in the United States on June 15, 2010.[81] The song reached number 25 on theBillboard Hot 100, and number-one on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Usher's eleventh number-one hit on that chart. The song ended up tying with "You Make Me Wanna" for fourth longest stay on the chart with 71 weeks. All of the album's singles received very heavy air play. On April 7, 2010, Raymond v. Raymond debuted at number No. 1 on the USBillboard 200 chart, becoming his third consecutive No. 1 album and selling an impressive 329,107 copies in its first week of release,[82] making him the first male artist sinceEminem to have three consecutive albums debut at number one on theBillboard 200 chart. After one month of release the album was certified Gold by theRIAA.[83] On February 9, 2024, the album was certified three-times Platinum by theRIAA.
Raymond v. Raymond also dominated the International Charts, debuting inside the top 10 in Canada, the United Kingdom, Holland, Australia, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Due to the huge international success of Usher's single "OMG" and the good first week sales forRaymond v. Raymond, the album reached number two in Australia and has been certified gold by theAustralian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[84] The album debuted at number four in Canada[85] and has been certified Gold by theCanadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA).[86]Raymond v. Raymond debuted at number-two in the United Kingdom.[87]
Usher announced on July 8, 2010,[88] a follow-upextended play to his sixth studio albumRaymond v. Raymond calledVersus, and a deluxe edition ofRaymond v. Raymond, both to be released on August 24, 2010.[89] Usher describedVersus as "the last chapter ofRaymond v. Raymond", and that it would explore the subjects of being newly single and a father.[88] The album included 9 tracks, including 7 new tracks,Raymond v. Raymond single "There Goes My Baby", andJustin Bieber single "Somebody to Love (Remix)". The tracks would be included on a deluxe edition ofRaymond v. Raymond. The album debuted at number four on theBillboard 200 chart and is preceded by the singles "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love" (featuringPitbull), for mainstream audiences, and "Hot Tottie" (featuringJay-Z), for urban circuits.[90]
Usher performing in 2010
The first single from the album, "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love", was released toiTunes on July 13, 2010, and sent to radio on July 20, 2010. Due to strong digital sales the song debuted at number nineteen on theBillboard Hot 100.[91] The song became the fourth highest debut on theBillboard Hot 100 of his career, behind 1997's "Nice & Slow" at number nine, 1998's "My Way" at eight, and 2010's "OMG" at number fourteen. Since its release, it has gained international success, peaking in the top 5 in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. It reached the top 10 in Canada and Europe. It reached number-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in its third week of release, and became the first time Usher has had two top-ten hits on theBillboard Hot 100 at the same time since his albumConfessions.[75] It also became Usher's sixteenth Billboard Hot 100 top-ten hit of his career. The second single,Hot Tottie, reached number nine on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart[92] and number twenty-one on the Billboard Hot 100.[93]
Usher in August 2011
Usher appeared at the2010 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, 2010.[94] He then performed at the 2010 American Music Awards on November 21, 2010, and also won the awards for Male Soul/R&B artist and Favorite Soul/R&B album for his albumRaymond v. Raymond.[95] According to Rap-Up.com, Usher started working on his next studio album,[96] again teaming up with long-time collaboratorRico Love.[96] TheOMG Tour began in November 2010[97] and ended on June 1, 2011. On February 6, 2011, Usher also made an appearance in theSuper Bowl XLV halftime show to sing his song "OMG" withThe Black Eyed Peas' singerwill.i.am.[98]
On September 8, 2011, Usher appeared onRomeo Santos' second single "Promise" from his debut studio albumFormula, Vol. 1. The song was his first number-one on theBillboard Latin Songs chart. A month later, on October 7, Sony Music, which was a parent company to theRCA Music Group, confirmed the consolidation of Usher's previous labels, Jive, and Arista, along withJ Records.[99] Following the consolidation of the three labels, Usher (and various other artists previously signed to the three aforementioned labels) were deferred to release planned material forRCA Records.[100]
2012–2014:Looking 4 Myself andThe Voice
In November 2011, Usher revealed that for his next album he was working on a new type of music which he has depicted as "revolutionary pop", which combines different genres to form a new sound.[101] His seventh studio albumLooking 4 Myself was released on June 8, 2012, worldwide, and received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics.[102][103] American singer-songwriter and record producerRico Love was interviewed byBillboard magazine, where he spoke about his relationships with artists and experiences. He commented on how Usher wanted to do things differently on the album compared to his previous efforts, saying: "What he wanted to do [onLooking 4 Myself] was explore himself musically. He stepped outside of what was safe and normal. He wanted to make an album that expressed where he was going sonically and not just where he's been for the past 12 to 15 years. He's growing, developing, moving, shaking, and being something that's new,cultural, and that's affecting people sonically. That's kind of forcing the people to grow and elevate".[104] In an interview forMTV News, Usher stated thatLooking 4 Myself is "the most artistic of an album" he has ever had in history.[105] When questioned byReuters during an interview regarding the latter quote, and how this project was different, Usher explained that he felt he was near a "rebirth" and that prior toLooking 4 Myself, he felt restricted and conformed to a specific standard. He said to himself "I gotta go with what I feel and hopefully people will follow me".[106]
"Climax" served as the lead single from his seventh studio album. It impacted Urban radio on February 21, 2012, and was made available for purchase as adigital download on February 22, 2012. It impacted US mainstream radio on March 13, 2012.[107][108] The second single fromLooking 4 Myself was "Scream" and the third single "Lemme See" which features Rick Ross. "Scream" was premiered on April 26, 2012, while "Lemme See" was premiered on May 8, 2012.[109] OnBillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, "Climax" enabled Usher to add a second song of his in the six longest stays at number one for 11 weeks after "You Make Me Wanna..." with 12 weeks.
On March 19, 2013, Usher announced that his eighth studio album, titledUR, was in the works.[112] Talking toThe Fader, he described the album as "everything you can imagine", saying that it's "gonna be freaking out of here".[112] Singer-songwriter Eric Bellinger toldRap-Up that he, along withJermaine Dupri,Bryan-Michael Cox, andBrian Alexander Morgan, was working on Usher's next album.[113] Bellinger compared the album's music to Usher'sConfessions (2004), saying that it is "more R&B, more urban" than Usher'sLooking 4 Myself.[113] The latter declared that his next album would show that he is "still Usher".[113] "Good Kisser", a dance-heavy throwback R&B track, was released as the first single allowing Usher to achieve his 13th no.1 on theAirplay chart, tyingDrake for most leaders in the list's history.[114] Produced by Pop & Oak, it was performed atThe Voice.[115] Since then, two other singles have been released from the album: "She Came to Give It to You" (featuringNicki Minaj) and "I Don't Mind" (featuringJuicy J). The latter allowed Usher to lead theRhythmic charts with the most number ones (13).
On August 25, 2014, Usher announced hisUR Experience Tour in support of his then-titled eighth studio albumUR. The UR Experience started in Montreal, Quebec on November 1 and ended in Tampa, Florida on December 14.[116] The 27 city North American leg was supported by opening actsDJ Cassidy and R&B newcomerAugust Alsina. The European leg of the tour visited 23 cities and the support would beNico & Vinz.[117] "With The UR Experience, I want to give my fans an ever-changing live show full of surprises and special guests," Usher says, via a press release. "I am really excited to be with my fans and give them an Usher experience like they've never seen or heard before."[116] While on tour, with the collaboration ofHoney Nut Cheerios, he released "Clueless", a new song that could be downloaded free using a code from specially-marked Honey Nut Cheerios boxes bought from Walmart.[118]
On October 16, 2015, Usher released an interactive music video exclusively on the music streaming platformTidal called "Chains" (featuringNas andBibi Bourelly). "Chains" literally forces the viewer to confront the issue of racial profiling and police brutality head-on: By utilizing the webcam on the viewer's computer as well as facial recognition technology, "Chains" paused mid-song whenever the viewer's eyes deviate from the video. Usher performed the song for the first time at the Tidal X:1020 concert on October 20, 2015, at Brooklyn's Barclays Arena.[119] On January 14, 2016, after continual delays of his eighth album, Usher announced viaDaniel Arsham Instagram post that he changed the title of the album fromUR toFlawed. It was scheduled to be released in April 2016, but has been pushed back with no release date.[120] On February 29, 2016,Yuna released "Crush" as the first single from her forthcoming albumChapters featuring Usher.[121] On June 9, 2016, Usher released a new single from his expected forthcoming albumFlawed on the music streaming platformTidal titled "No Limit" (featuringYoung Thug), along with a second single titled "Crash" on June 10 for all digital platforms.[122]
On June 12, 2016, it was reported that Raymond signed a management deal with business partnerScooter Braun. Braun already represented Justin Bieber and had a joint venture with Raymond and Bieber.[123] This report was confirmed by Usher during a sit down interview withRyan Seacrest at the 73rd annualCannes Festival on June 21, 2016.[124] Usher furthered his acting career, starring as American former professional boxerSugar Ray Leonard in the 2016 American-Panamanian biographical sports filmHands of Stone about the career of Panamanian former professional boxerRoberto Durán. In it, he starred opposite ofÉdgar Ramírez,Robert De Niro, andRuben Blades. On August 26, 2016,Hands of Stone premiered worldwide.[125] "Missin U" was also released as a third single byRCA Records for online streaming and digital download, along with "Champions (from the Motion Picture Hands of Stone)", both onVevo.[126] On August 30, "Rivals" (featuringFuture) was released and debuted exclusively on Tidal with its accompanying video.[127] It was released on Vevo on September 2, 2016.[128] On September 13, 2016, both "Missin U" and "Rivals" were sent to radio as the album's third and fourth singles.[129]
The albumHard II Love was released on September 16, 2016, and received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics. It debuted at number 5 on the USBillboard 200, and sold 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week.[130] It also became his seventh consecutive top ten album in the United States. The lead single, "No Limit" initially was serviced to Urban radio on June 9, and eventually peaked at number 1 on theMainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart, number 32 on theBillboard Hot 100, and number 9 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[131][132] On December 16, 2016,Chris Brown released "Party" as the second single from his forthcoming albumHeartbreak on a Full Moon featuring Usher andGucci Mane.[133]
2018–2020:A and return toThe Voice
On October 12, 2018, Usher released a collaborative studio album, titled simplyA. The official tracklist contains 8 songs with features fromFuture andGunna.[134] The album was produced entirely byZaytoven, who previously collaborated on Usher'sRaymond v. Raymond album as a co-producer for the single "Papers".[135] Between November 9–17, 2018, Usher served as the headliner for theRNB Fridays Live concert series. The six date stadium tour inAustralia andNew Zealand sold over 150,000 tickets[136] On November 14, 2018,Billboard reported that Usher signed a worldwide management deal with Luke Mitzman and 100 Management. It was also reported he is working on a follow up album that will be released in 2019.[137] On December 2, 2018, Usher performed at theGlobal Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 inJohannesburg,South Africa, celebrating the legacy ofNelson Mandela. Usher and DJBlack Coffee performed a mash-up featuring the South African Indigenous Dance Academy (IDA).[138]
Usher had a cameo in the crime filmHustlers, which was released on September 13, 2019, and starsJennifer Lopez,Constance Wu,Keke Palmer,Cardi B, andLili Reinhart.[139] In September 2019, directorLorene Scafaria toldVulture magazine his cameo was written into the script in 2016, before the film went into development.[140] Usher is featured on the film's soundtrack, with his single "Love in This Club".[141] In March 2019, Usher posted a photo of himself in the studio next to a whiteboard with the title "Confessions 2" and a blurred out tracklisting.[142] The following day producerJermaine Dupri, who produced the originalConfessions went live on Instagram and previewed new music. On June 15, 2019, Usher, alongsideErykah Badu, headlined the second annual Smoking Grooves Festival at the Queen Mary Events Park inLong Beach, California.[143]
Usher performed at the62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020.[153] Usher andShelia E. performed a special tribute honoringPrince. This performance was teaser for theLet's Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince concert at theStaples Center scheduled for January 28, 2020 on CBS featuring performances fromAlicia Keys,John Legend,Chris Martin,H.E.R., and more. On January 31, to initiate a tribute forKobe Bryant, who was killed five days earlier in a helicopter crash alongside his 13-year-old daughterGianna and seven others, Usher performed "Amazing Grace" at the Staples Center prior a game between theLos Angeles Lakers andPortland Trail Blazers, in what was the Lakers' first game played since the tragedy.[154] Usher had been set to host and perform at the2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards, which had been set scheduled to broadcast live onFox on March 29.[155] The event was postponed due to concerns over the spread ofCOVID-19.[156]
Usher served as executive producer and judge on a dance competition series calledThe Sauce. The seven-episode series premiered on April 6, 2020, on the streaming serviceQuibi.[157] On April 10, 2020, Usher released a single, "SexBeat", with former collaboratorsLil Jon andLudacris.[158] It was co-written by Jermaine Dupri and Antoine Harris. The release of "SexBeat" came days after Lil Jon premiered the track on April 5 during an online music battle calledVerzuz hosted bySwizz Beatz andTimbaland.[159] He appeared onNBC'sSongland and released the song "California" (featuringTyga) on June 15, 2020.[160] On June 26, 2020, Usher released "I Cry".[161]
2021–present: Residencies,Coming Home, and Super Bowl LVIII halftime show
On September 4, 2020, Usher announced he will be headlining a 12 show residency at theColosseum at Caesars' Palace inLas Vegas,Nevada.[162] The show is scheduled to start on July 16, 2021, and is slated to run until January 1, 2022. Live Nation Las Vegas and Caesars Entertainment will be donating $1 from every ticket purchased toUsher's New Look foundation.[163] In December 2021,Bruno Mars announced onstage with Usher that he was moving his residency atDolby Live at Park MGM.[164] On February 17, 2022, Usher officially announced that he would be moving his residency from Caesars Palace to Park MGM and would be headlining 23 shows.[165] Usher released the single "Bad Habits" on September 10, 2020, as the second single off his forthcoming studio album. A music video directed byChris Robinson accompanied the song.[166] It topped theAdult R&B Chart, becoming his sixth number one single on that chart.[167]
On March 8, 2022, it was announced that Usher had parted ways with RCA Records after ten years and five months with the imprint following the RCA and Sony Music Group merger. He later signed a joint venture withLarry Jackson'sGamma music company.[168] Usher and his longtime partner,L.A. Reid, founded Mega in partnership with Gamma. Usher's eighth studio album will be released through this partnership.[169] On June 30, 2022, Usher performed onNPR'sTiny Desk Concerts series. He was joined by vocalistsEric Bellinger and Vedo, bassist, Dmitry Gorodetsky, trombonist Lemar Guillary, trumpeter Brandyn Phillips, saxophonist Jay Flat, keyboardist Darek Cobbs, guitarist Erick Walls and drummer Ryan Carr.[170] A clip from the performance of Usher whispering "watch this" wentviral on the internet as ameme.[171][172] On March 17, 2023, Usher released the single "Glu", his first solo single in over two years.[173][174][175] It was co-produced by longtime collaborators Lil Jon, The Avila Brothers, andSean Garrett. It topped the Adult R&B Chart, becoming his seventh number one single on that chart. On April 14, 2023, Usher announced his 8-night show residency inBoulogne-Billancourt, titled "Rendez-Vous À Paris" atLa Seine Musicale presented by Live Nation Entertainment. The residency starts on September 24 and runs through to October 5.[176] On August 4, 2023, Usher released the single "Good Good" withSummer Walker and21 Savage as the lead single to his upcoming ninth studio album.[177] It topped theR&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, becoming his 16th number one on that chart.[178] It also topped theMainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart, becoming his seventeenth number one single on that chart.[179] He followed it up with a second single, "Boyfriend", released several weeks later. On September 14, 2023, he appeared onJ Balvin's single "Dientes". The song reached number-one on theLatin Airplay chart.[180]
On September 24, 2023, Usher announced that he will headline theSuper Bowl LVIII halftime show, held at theAllegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.[181] He described the opportunity as "an honour of a lifetime" that he will finally be able to check off his bucket list.[182] In addition, he announced in an Apple Music interview withZane Lowe that his ninth studio album,Coming Home, would be released on February 11, 2024, the same day it was reported that he would perform at the Super Bowl.[183][184][185] The album debuted at number two on the USBillboard 200.[186] The album's second single, "Ruin" (featuringPheelz), was released on February 2, 2024, along with its accompanying music video. It was directed byDave Meyers and shot on aniPhone 15 Pro.[187] On February 6, Usher announced theUsher: Past Present Future 24-stop tour, which will visitNorth America andEurope. Due to overwhelming demand, it expanded from 24 to 58 shows.[188][189] On June 30, 2024, Usher was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the24th BET Awards for his notable contributions to the music industry.[190] In October 2024, Usher was named the 11th "greatest pop star of the century" byBillboard, betweenEminem andAdele.[191]
On many occasions, Usher has namedMichael Jackson as his biggest influence. Usher once toldMTV, "He influenced me in so many ways, more than just music ... as a humanitarian, as a philanthropist, as an artist, as an individual who transcended culture. I wouldn't be who I am today without Michael Jackson".[210] During the television special 'Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special', Usher was able to dance with Jackson while performing "You Rock My World".[211]Prince being another main influence, Usher said "every album I'd always do like one song that is very Prince-influenced, because he's a great influence on me musically, especially just kind of being expansive and creating music that represents many different genres."[212] InTime magazine's "100 Most Influential People" issue, he explained "I was interested in music and trying to find a model. It was Michael, or it was Prince. He had an attitude, a rawness that Michael didn't have. He was not urban, but he was our version of what cool could be."[213] Other musical influences areMarvin Gaye,Stevie Wonder,Luther Vandross,Janet Jackson,Maze featuring Frankie Beverly,Al Green, andBoyz II Men.[214][215]
Theboy bandNew Edition and its solo memberBobby Brown were childhood influences. Usher toldABC News, "I can remember as a kid attending a New Edition Concert", and called it "one of the greatest moments in my performance history" years later when he was invited on stage with the group to perform"N.E. Heartbreak" at a concert inWashington, D.C.[215] On Bobby Brown, Usher toldCNN, "the first record that I ever bought was Bobby Brown'sDon't Be Cruel", and that he admired him "Just for being an edgy artist, being a true representative of R&B and rhythmic music".[216] Usher'sLive album would feature amedley performance of Brown's original singles - "Don't Be Cruel", "Every Little Step", "Rock Wit'cha", and"Roni". Usher was inspired byFrank Sinatra'sMy Way album released in 1969 so much that he decided to name his second albumMy Way.[217] Prince would inspire "Nice & Slow" while giving him his first number-one single on theHot 100 chart.[213] Usher's third album8701 would be inspired by love and heartache, containing influences fromDonny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson.[218][219] Hisfourth album was inspired by the rap groupBone Thugs-n-Harmony, andEminem whom he credited for the album having a transparent reputation. Usher said in an interview withSway Calloway, "The honesty of hip-hop, and what Eminem was saying in his records, it motivated me. Like, yo if he could bethat honest, you know through hip-hop - and there've been other stories, storytellers, but never quite as vivid as his...and I got that Cleveland, because, you know with the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, you know what I'm saying, is to just understanding that the rhythm and the flip of it to make it be able to make it be at least, you know, hip-hop appropriate."[220]
Vocal style
Usher possesses aleggiero tenor vocal range of 3 octaves and 4 notes,[221] and is considered to be "one of the most soothing inR&B".[5] At the age of 13, he set the record for the longest note ever held by a child onStar Search, with 12 seconds.[222] Usher'svocal coach sinceMy Way,Jan Smith, cites him as "the single most gifted singer I've ever worked with in 26 years".[223] On the dynamic8701,Rolling Stone's Kathryn McGuire describes his vocals as "velvety" and "impressively adaptable" as it won him his first two Grammys asBest Male R&B Vocal Performance.[224] WithConfessions,Sasha Frere-Jones ofThe New Yorker generally noted him as "long on control and short on texture".[225] He received anotherGrammy Award nomination in 2006 through acover ofLuther Vandross's "Superstar" he performed onThe Oprah Winfrey Show in 2005.[226][227]Here I Stand displayed his vocals as "agile" and "balletic",[228] as well as his ability to "easily drift from waveringtenor to fine-tunedfalsetto" that create emotions of urgency and burning according to Clover Hope ofThe Village Voice.[229] On hisOne Night Stand: Ladies Only Tour in 2008, Lee Hildebrand ofSan Francisco Chronicle assessed "Usher's chest tones have a ringing,Gaye-like quality, and his high head tones suggestPrince's falsetto, but his frequent use of syllable-splitting curlicues owes much toWonder. Usher is a stronger, more assured singer than he was a decade ago, though the melismas in his lower range sometimes meander off pitch. His falsetto tonality is more on target."[230]
Looking For Myself exemplified his vocal craft earning him positive acclaim asGawker's Rick Juzwiak states "his vocal range is even more impressive than his emotional one" with emphasis on his falsetto being "something that sounds as natural as a speaking voice ... he's the picture of grace against shrieking synths ... His emotional range is vast enough to sell tenderness, lechery and wistfulness within minutes of each other".[231] On "Climax", his performance lauded as "blistering" byMaura Johnston,[232] and "hair-raising" byJody Rosen,[197] as he wonBest R&B Performance in 2013.[233] "There Goes My Baby" and "Dive" are also commended as showcase standouts of his "superior R&B vocal range" byConsequence of Sound's Ryan Hadfield,[234] andMadameNoire's Brande Victorian.[235] ForHard II Love,Jon Pareles ofThe New York Times commented "a genuinely expressive voice that encompasses an ardentcroon, a melting falsetto and quick, singsongdeclamation".[236] On the 2023Rolling Stone's list of the 200 Greatest Singers of all time, Usher ranked at number 97.[237]
Usher's stage performances have been complimented by critics as "packed with high-octanechoreography held together by sleek, masterful showmanship",[238] and his presence "engaging enough to pull off a one-man show".[226][239]Vibe magazine notes him as beingBobby Brown-esque for his displays of "brash sexuality and arrogance",[240] leading to antics such as being "prone to dropping his pants",[241] and a "tendency to shed his shirt on stage",[242] while John Aizlewood ofThe Guardian observed that "For all his pelvic thrusting and crotch-grabbing, Usher is a rather courtly presence."[243] On his8701 Evolution Tour in 2002, Larry Nager ofThe Cincinnati Enquirer hailed his simultaneous ability, stating "the 23-year-old Atlantan proved you can sing and dance at the same time. Of course, that's howJames Brown,Jackie Wilson and Usher's most obvious role modelMichael Jackson did it, but in today's high-tech, gimmicky concerts, it's a lost art", claiming his show "ended the reign of 'Nsync,Britney and the rest of the lip-synching, teen-pop acts".[244] Usher toldPeople magazine "James Brown introduced me to soul. Because of him I was given a clear view of what a real performance is and should be. I learned showmanship from him",[245] and has seen comparisons to his influences.[239] At the2004 MTV Video Music Awards, he performed "Confessions Part II" and "Yeah!" under a rain machine, in which he eventually threw themic stand at a mirror during the former.Rolling Stone placed it at number 13 of their "20 BestMTV VMAs Opening Performances".[246]
Usher is an old-school showman who has been performing since childhood: a dancer, a singer, five feet and seven inches of raw charm and taut musculature. I've seen superstars perform before, but always in large venues, where they are isolated from the plebes by an appropriate distance. Seeing Usher in such a small venue, beaming ear-to-ear the whole evening, I was bowled over by the sheer amount of raw talent and charisma on display.
Chad Batka forThe New York Times said "He has established himself as one of R&B's supreme performers and craftsmen, following through on what he learned from Michael Jackson in particular: songs that alternate between choppy and smooth, vocals punctuated by exultant high whoops, a dance vocabulary."[198] Capable of playing thepiano,[248][249] he also began to adopt playing on other instruments such as thedrums andbass guitar, amid singles "Good Kisser" and "She Came to Give It to You" in 2014.[239][250] TheUR Experience Tour consisted of a nine-pieceband and threebacking vocalists according toBillboard,[251] asThe Guardian called him "a masterful all-rounder who surrounds himself with talent on stage".[252]Maura Johnston ofRolling Stone labels him the "Award Show King", explaining "His dedication to choreography dates back to the days whenJanet Jackson made videos that looked like they were shot in one take. He's an entertainer that would have been stunning at any point in the last 60 years of television."[253]
Usher has been regarded as "an internationalsex symbol" since a young age, predominantly for hisstage persona.[242]Fusion states "Usher—one of the greatest R&B sex symbols in the past 20 years, paving the way forChris Brown,Trey Songz andJustin Bieber—used sex as a major part of his image",[248] whileVH1 considers him to be "the sexiest male performer ever to walk a stage".[254]People magazine named Usher the "Sexiest R&B Star" in 1998, with singerMonica who said on stage sexiness was manifest in "his movements, his gestures, the way he expresses his lyrics".[255] They included him in their 2004 "Sexiest Men Alive",[256] and 2008 "Sexiest Man Alive" lists.[257]The New York Times writerKelefa Sanneh referred to him as "one of the country's most famous ex-boyfriends" after his breakup withChilli ofTLC.[258] He was ranked number-one onBET's "All Shades of Fine: 25 Hottest Men of the Past 25 Years" special in 2005.[259][260]Madame Tussauds New York also unveiled awax figure of Usher during a competition to launch The Usher Interactive Experience,[261] and for the opening of a VIP room in 2007.[262]Rolling Stone magazine ranks "Confessions Part II" amongst its "30 Sexiest Music Videos of All Time".[263]
After his marriage toTameka Foster, his sexual appeal was expected to mature asThe New Yorker writerSasha Frere-Jones wrote "The challenge here is to convince us that he is a married and responsible man—grown and sexy, [...]—without sacrificing the louche, frictionless sense of play that made him famous."[225]VH1 have listed Usher at number 9 of its 100 Sexiest Artists List.[264] According toGlamour magazine, he was one of the "Sexiest Men" of 2010,[265] and 2011.[266] In 2012,Billboard reviewed his fashion evolution stating "The singer came onto the scene in the '90s rockingbaggy jeans and suits that made us question his celebrity status, but over the years this R&B star has developed his own signature look, rendering him a modern day fashion icon".[267] In 2013,Complex placed him in its "Most Stylish R&B Singers of the 90s" list.[268]Men's Health magazine was covered by Usher on its 25th anniversary issue, withLou Schuler calling him "the man with the best abs in the entertainment industry".[269] In 2014 and 2015, hisCalvin Klein Collection suits saw him listed as "Best Dressed Men" by outlets at theGolden Globe Awards[270][271][272] andGrammy Awards.[273][274][275]InStyle have rated him both in their "Hottest Celebrity Abs" collection,[276] and "37 of the Most Stylish Dads" list.[277]
Usher was named theHot 100 Artist of the 2000s byBillboard stating "Usher's sexy brand of R&B dominated the last decade with the top-selling album and more No. 1s than any other act",[278][279] withConfessions selling 20 million copies worldwide as the top solo album.[280] Considered by Bonsu Thompson ofVibe to be "theThriller of our generation",[281] Kia Turner ofRolling Stone stated that it "became ingrained inpop culture" because of its theme.[282] Pop music criticSasha Frere-Jones ofThe New Yorker remarks that "For a while,Confessions was pop music" and says it "may turn out to have been the last trueblockbuster in pop".[225]Clay Cane said in 2008 "We didn't see pop-R&B artists onpop radio, and Usher is one of those people in the 90s who was the catalyst for that; he was kind of the pioneer ... He's the greatest example of purecrossover success".[283] Described as the best dancer in pop sinceMichael Jackson by writers ofVH1[284] andThe Guardian,[196]Jody Rosen said in 2012 "He's the biggest male pop singer in the world; sometimes, it seems like he's the only one, in a marketplace still dominated bydivas".[197] Attaining 9Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles to tie with theBee Gees,Elton John, andPaul McCartney,[285] Justin Charity ofComplex referred to him as "the greatest male pop singer of the past couple decades" in 2015.[286]
James Brown, performed a duet with Usher in 2005 at the47th Grammy Awards in which he honorably dubbed him the Godson of Soul.[287] Brown reiterated "The new godson; Usher, the new godson" following the performance.[288] Often cited as an "icon",[289][290][291][292]Los Angeles Times critic Randall Roberts marks dance singles "Yeah!", "Caught Up" and "OMG" to have influenced contemporarydance-pop, stating the former two also "helped define the [20]00s".[207]Time magazine's pop stardom ranking metric, ranked Usher 3rd in history, based on "all-time chart performance and contemporary significance".[293]Rolling Stone magazine named "Confessions Part II" the greatest R&B song of the 21st century and "U Don't Have to Call" the 25th.[282]
Usher amassed nine number-one and eighteen top-ten singles on theBillboard Hot 100,[345] and accumulated 47 weeks at the top, more than any other male solo artist at the time.[346] Usher spent 28 weeks at number-one in 2004 alone, marking a then-record for most cumulative weeks spent atop in a calendar year on the Hot 100 of all time.[347] "OMG" made him the first 2010s artist to collect number-one singles in three consecutive decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s).[348] He became the fifth artist of all-time to achieve that feat, followingStevie Wonder,Michael Jackson,Janet Jackson, andMadonna,[349] and became the third male soloist in history to have at least one number-one single from five consecutive studio albums.[285] On theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, Usher has 13 number-one singles tied withMichael Jackson andMarvin Gaye,[350] the most of the 2000s with 8 number-ones,[351] and set a chartGuinness World Record in 2010.[352] Usher also has 14 number-one singles on theRhythmic chart,[353] 17 number-one singles on theMainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,[179] and 16 number-one singles on theAirplay chart,[354][355] with "You Make Me Wanna" (12 weeks) and "Climax" (11 weeks) as two of the longest stays on the latter.[356][357] Usher has topped severalBillboard Year-End charts including seven in 1998,[358] seventeen in 2004,[359] and one in 2010.[360] The Year-End Hot 100 chart of 2004 was topped by "Yeah!" while "Burn" held second place,[361] making him the first act sinceThe Beatles in 1964 to have two singles occupy the top two positions.[362] On the 2000s Billboard Decade-End chart, "Yeah!" finished second, behindMariah Carey's "We Belong Together".[363]
Billboard's 2nd most successful artist of the 2000s,[364] he was placed at number 6 on their list of "Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years".[365] The same magazine placed him at number 14 on their "Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Artists" list,[366] 6 on their "Top 60 Male Artists of All-Time" list,[367] and 31 on their "35 GreatestR&B Artists of All Time" list.[368]Confessions is placed at number 16 on their "Greatest of All Time 200 Albums" list,[369] and 10 onVibe magazine's "Greatest 50 Albums since '93".[370] "Yeah!" is placed at number 14 in their "Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs" list,[371] and 15 onVH1's "Greatest Songs of the 2000s".[372]
Usher foundedvanity record label US Records in 2002. The label was a subsidiary ofClive Davis's J Records, which was distributed bySony BMG. The only album released by US Records was the soundtrack toIn the Mix in late 2005, which was used to introduce the label's acts, such as rapperRico Love, singer Rayan, Canadian teen R&B artistJustin Bieber, andOne Chance, an R&B vocal quartet composed of Jon A. Gordon, Michael A. Gordon, Courtney Vantrease, and Robert Brent. Usher served as songwriter-producer in the project.[373][374] TheRaymond Braun Media Group, whichJustin Bieber is signed up to, is a joint venture between Usher and Bieber's managerScooter Braun.[375] In 2023, Usher and longtime friend L.A. Reid co-founded Mega, an independent record label in a partnership with Larry Jackson's digital music distribution company, Gamma.[376]
Usher served as the contestant mentor for the Top 10 Week of Season 9 of the television showAmerican Idol.[377] He appeared on theITV1 showBritain's Got Talent on June 5, 2010. Usher joined as a new coach on theNBC American reality talent showThe Voice, alongsideAdam Levine,Blake Shelton, andShakira inseason 4, which premiered on March 25, 2013.[378] Usher reached the finale with contestantMichelle Chamuel on June 13, 2013.[379] Usher returned with Shakira inseason 6 of The Voice, which premiered on February 24, 2014.[380] Usher reached the finale again, and won with contestantJosh Kaufman on May 20, 2014.[381]
Usher at his 2007 launch of fragrancesUsher He andUsher She
Aside from recording music, Usher is involved in other businesses, including several restaurants.[387][388] In 2007, Usher worked with Richard Herpin and Honoring Blanc for the fragrancesUsher He andUsher She. The promotion of the fragrance featured Usher andMartha Stewart in theMacy's "The Magic of Macy's" commercial.[389] In September 2008, Usher released the fragrancesUR for Men andUR for Women. Usher's fifth fragrance,VIP, was launched in 2009.[390]
On March 30, 2015, it was announced that Usher is a co-owner, with various other music artists, in the music streaming serviceTidal. The service specializes in lossless audio and high definition music video with curated editorial.Jay Z acquired the parent company of Tidal,Aspiro, in the first quarter of 2015. The slogan "Turn the tide" and the hashtag "#TIDALforAll" was used by various artists on social media during the buildup to the press conference relaunching the service.[391] Usher, along with sixteen artist stakeholders (such asAlicia Keys,Kanye West,Beyonce,Rihanna,Madonna,J.Cole,Nicki Minaj, and more) co-own Tidal, with the majority owning a 3% equity stake.[392] The idea of having an all artist owned streaming service was created by those involved to adapt to the increased demand for streaming within the current music industry, and to rival other streaming services such asSpotify, which have been criticized for their low payout of royalties."The challenge is to get everyone to respect music again, to recognize its value", stated Jay-Z on the release of Tidal.[393]
On June 28, 2015, Usher became partners with Yoobi the fast-growing school supplies company called based out ofLos Angeles.[394] The company donates a portion of its products to schools and has brought in over $20 million in revenue between June 2014 and June 2015, Yoobi CEOIdo Leffler toldInc. The Usher line of supplies with Yoobi features a collaboration withJonni Cheatwood, the artist who does the designing. The slogan is "Mixing street smarts with school smarts". The collection is available online and atTargets nationwide, and for every purchase, school supplies are donated to kids in need in US classrooms. When asked why he partnered with Yoobi, Usher said, "Preparing future leaders through myNew Look Foundation has always been about having the proper tools to succeed in life. If they don't have the tools, young men and women from underserved communities can't even begin to understand the idea of having a new or different perspective. So that's where this collaboration came together giving young people the tools and supplying them with hope."[395]
Investments
Usher is a part owner of theCleveland Cavaliers professional basketball team. He is part of a group which bought the team with a reported total purchase price of $375 million in 2005. He became the third pop artist to own a large stake in anNBA team.[396] During his tenure, the Cleveland Cavaliers have won five Central Division Championships, three Eastern Conference Champions and the2016 NBA championship on June 19, 2016, which he won as a minority owner.[397]
On March 6, 2017, it was announced thatUniversal Music Group, Evolution Media,Jon Jashni, Usher,Steve Stoute, Charles King, and others invested $6 Million inMass Appeal.[398] Mass Appeal is a New York City based media and content company. In 1996, Mass Appeal was founded as a graffiti print magazine. In 2014, Mass Appeal relaunched after CEO Peter Bittenbender partnered with American rapperNas, who would serve as the publication's associate publisher.
On April 2, 2019, Usher,Jay-Z,Walter Robb,Seth Goldman,Ndamukong Suh, and others invested $8 Million in a catering startup called Hungry.[399] Hungry is a service that connects local chefs with companies looking for business and event catering. The catering company partnered with J's Kitchen Culinary Incubator, a business owned by Usher's mother Jonetta Patton.
Usher has worked withMasterCard since 2004. Together, they launched the Usher Debit MasterCard, a sleek black card that features Usher's face and was handed out to concertgoers during hisThe Truth Tour.[401] In 2009, he partnered withBelvedere Vodka, launching the campaign Product (Red) that went to donate half of all profits from a new special-edition bottle to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.[402] MasterCard again teamed up with Usher in 2015 to surprise one cardholder. Usher was disguised as a street performer to surprise one of his biggest British fans, who was flown into Los Angeles as part of MasterCard's Priceless Surprises campaign in support of the 2015 BRIT Awards.[403]
In 2012, Usher partnered with the number-one selling dance gameMicrosoftDance Central 3. Exclusively made on Kinect for Xbox 360. His role in the game was to bring his iconic talent and lend out his authentic choreography of his dance routines to his hit songs "Scream" and "OMG".[404] Usher himself provides voiceover instruction for players participating in the Dance Central 3 game.[405] At the launch of the game Usher gave a surprise performance of his song "Scream".
In 2013, Usher partnered withSamsung shooting a 2:28 minute short film directed by Rich Lee that included his single "Looking 4 Myself" from his then new album. The video features two Ushers in a face-off, as "down-to-earth" Usher seeks revenge against his "celebrity" alter ego after fame destroys his relationship. According to superstar, Hancock and The Matrix inspired the choreographed fight scenes with himself.[406] The short film featured him using a Samsung's smart TV using the new motion control features that allows users to swipe through the channels. The commercial generated twenty-two million views making it the second highest viewed Samsung commercial behind LeBron's Day with theSamsung Galaxy Note II.[407]
In 2015, Usher teamed up withPepsi for The New Pepsi Challenge along celebritiesSerena Williams,Usain Bolt, and many others. Every month, Pepsi "ambassadors" will use social media to issue a new challenge, many of which blend social responsibility with popular culture that encourages consumers to "do something different."[408] Usher's challenge invited fans to capture a single photo of an image that they feel inspires and amazes others to look at the world in a new way.[409] The winners photo would be selected and used in an upcoming Pepsi film.
In 2022, Usher teamed up with Rémy Martin; the company launched their first NFT's and also collectible bottles. Usher starred in television commercials to promote Rémy Martin Cognac Fine Champagne.[410][411]
Philanthropy
Usher foundedNew Look, a non-profit charity organization which aims to "provide young people with a new look on life through education and real-world experience". Its flagship project, camp New Look, ran from July 11 to 23, 2005, inClark Atlanta University.[412] In 2006, the charity started an initiative called Our Block, for which it helped rebuild and revitalize city blocks in New Orleans. The project went on one street at a time, and the funding was helped through part of the proceeds of Usher's team-up withArmani Exchange in creating "Love 4 Life" dog tags, which were made available at the company's stores and Web site.[413] Since then, Usher has launched chapters of New Look in such cities as Baltimore, Detroit, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, and Washington, D.C. New Look has four basic pillars; Talent, Education, Service, and Career. New Look program begins in the 8th grade and progresses through a student's high school and post-secondary education. Education is the center focus, Usher and his program ensures this. Students who participate in Usher's New Look achieve 100% graduation rates and all of New Look participants go on to Higher Education or Job Placement.[414]
In 1999, Usher participated in "Challenge for the Children", a benefit basketball game hosted by American boy bandNSYNC. The event, which was held on the campus ofGeorgia State University, had raised an estimated $50,000 for several local charities.[415] In 2005, Usher is one among the artists who signed on for aHurricane Katrina relief concert.[416] He has also performed a public service announcement to promoteDo Something's campaign for civic engagement.[417]
After the devastating events ofHurricane Katrina, Usher launched Project Restart that would go on to help more than 700 families with housing and keeping their lights on. Usher also while in New Orleans would meet with students from Dillard and Xavier to aid them with cleaning up the city. "I'm here to physically do something and hopefully motivate other people to do the same," said Usher in an interview. Usher, because of his efforts and dedication to helping the city of New Orleans rebuild was presented thekey to the city of New Orleans in 2008 from former MayorRay Nagin.[418][419] Also in this presentation, Usher in his honor was proclaimed his own day, Usher Day.[420]
In 2011, Usher was honored with the Freedom Award by theNational Civil Rights Museum inMemphis.[421] The Freedom Awards honor individuals who work for justice, equality, philanthropy, civil and human rights and humanitarian causes. Raymond was awarded this honor for his philanthropic work done by his New Look Foundation. Others honored with this award in the past Usher includedOprah,Ruby Dee,Harry Belafonte,Cicely Tyson,Coretta Scott King, and other great figures.[422]
On February 12, 2015, Usher visited his former hometownChattanooga making a surprise visit at Dalewood Middle School, the Orange Grove Center and the Center for the Creative Arts. Dalewood is the middle school he attended before moving to Atlanta and the school is not that far away from the road "Usher Raymond Parkway" that was presented to Usher in 2001.[423] Usher spoke to students at the Center for the Creative arts explaining the importance of education. His effort of giving back was to honor the legacy of his grandmother who passed early in the year. Who he called Nanny expressed to singer at a young age "whatever you want to do, I promise you can do it. We're going to look back one day, your teachers and I, and be very proud of you". At CCC, a donation of an undisclosed amount was made by the singer that would pay for new surfaces for the floors of two dance studios, a new digital lighting board and LED lights for the performing arts school's auditorium.[424] Usher's second stop was Orange Grove Center, a nonprofit that serves adults and children with intellectual disabilities. There, he took part in a groundbreaking for planned improvements to the facility's track, said development director Heidi Hoffecker. The track will be named the Nancy Lackey Memorial Track to honor his grandmother.[424]
In 2016, Usher, alongsideTyrese,Future,Ludacris, andJeezy donated $25,000 each to the UNCF during the 33rd annual Atlanta's Mayors Ball.[427]
On February 18, 2017,Morehouse College during the 29th annual "A Candle in the Dark Gala" honored Usher with the prestigious Candle Award for his philanthropy and contributions to music. The Candle Award honors recipients for excellence in athletics, business, education, entertainment, and other arenas.[428] Past recipients honored at the "Candle in the Dark" includeStevie Wonder,Ray Charles,Quincy Jones,Berry Gordy, andSmokey Robinson.[429]
On January 31, 2018, Usher helped former NFL quarterbackColin Kaepernick complete his pledge to donate $1 million to oppressed communities. To complete the final $100,000 of his goal, Kaepernick launched the #10for10 campaign[430] He made 10 donations of $10,000 to 10 different charities with 10 celebrities matching him with $10,000. Usher selected the H.O.M.E. (Helping Oppressed Mothers Endure) charity inLithonia, Georgia to receive a combined donation of $20,000.[431]
In 2007, Usher launched his campaign in "Change in the South" inAtlanta, Georgia on the campus of Georgia Tech in support of then presidential hopefulBarack Obama. Obama asked Usher to serve as National Co-chair for his voter registration campaign "Vote for Change".[432][433] Doing more groundwork for Obama the following year Usher andKerry Washington would lead a rally on the campus ofSouth Carolina State University inOrangeburg, S.C. In 2008, Usher supported theService Nation campaign, serving as the Service Nation Youth Chair.[434] Usher stated "As an artist, I am often recognized for the music I make and the performances I give. I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of many incredible moments. But this is the work that inspires me, empowering young people to become active in their communities".[435] Usher also released an exclusive song "Hush" that was influenced by social issues and voting, In the video he features a motivational Barack Obama speech. Usher performed "Higher Ground" alongsideStevie Wonder andShakira at the2009 presidential inauguration at the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on January 18, 2009. He continued to endorse Obama in 2012 and supported on the 2012 reelection campaign.[436]
On September 13, 2014, Usher andBill Clinton held a special campaign event for GeorgiaU.S. Senate candidateMichelle Nunn.[437] Nunn was honored for her work with the Points of Light Foundation at a charity event in 2010 and has been a semiregular attendee at Clinton Foundation events since 2009.Usher's New Look Foundation also awarded Clinton its Service Legacy Award in 2010.[438]
In October 2015, Usher partnered with the organization Sankofa which focuses on issues of social injustice that disproportionately affect the disenfranchised, the oppressed, and the underserved. On October 23, 2015, Usher and the founder of Sankofa, formerCivil Rights Activist,Harry Belafonte led the conversation titled "Breaking the Chains of Social Injustice" at 92nd Street Y in Manhattan speaking about popular culture and activism.[439][440] At this panel he introduced his music video"Chains" featuringNas andBibi Bourelly. The music video is geared towards facing the issues of social injustice and features images ofTrayvon Martin,Rekia Boyd,Sean Bell, Marlon Brown,Ramarley Graham,Amadou Diallo, Caesar Cruz, and other recent victims of police violence.[441][442]
Usher was selected among a 33-member delegate for thePresidential Committee for Arts and Humanities of theUnited States of America toCuba seeking to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries. Less than a month after the historic visit by President Barack Obama, a U.S. government cultural mission to Cuba took place from April 18–21, 2016.[445] The President described his trip as extending the hand of friendship to the Cuban people, and this delegation, including some of America's most distinguished writers, artists, musicians, as well as arts and cultural leaders, will continue this historic collaboration with the Cuban people.[446]
In 2001, Usher began datingTLC memberChilli Thomas, and their relationship lasted for three years. In 2003, Usher started working on the album that would becomeConfessions, which contained songs inspired by the personal lives of Usher and his collaborators. The songs about infidelity and pregnant mistresses were not inspired by Usher's private life, but by Jermaine Dupri's own personal challenges at the time.[447] Dupri deliberately intended to create an air of mystery about Usher, and arouse fans' curiosity about how much of the infidelity story was Usher's own confession.[447] The unintended result of this was to arouse Thomas's suspicions about Usher.[447] They broke up in December 2004.
This was followed by a media frenzy surrounding the personal nature ofConfessions. Many fans believed that the infidelity portrayed in "Confessions" was real, and the real reason for the split.[11] In February 2004, in an interview onThe Bert Show on theAtlanta radio channelQ100, Thomas was perceived as insinuating that Usher cheated on her: "Usher did the ultimate no-no to me. ... I will never be with him again, and that is that".[448] Usher defended: "... it just didn't work out. But cheating is not what caused the relationship to collide and crash. That ain't what broke it up".[11] This was backed up years later by Thomas, who said "People assumed that album was about us, but it was not."[449]
In 2004, it was reported that Usher briefly dated British supermodelNaomi Campbell for a few months, together the pair attended theMTV Europe Music Awards and it was reported that Campbell jumped out of apop out cake to surprise him for his birthday.[450] The following year, he was linked to model Eishia Brightwell for some time. They were seen together at different events including theGrammys, theVanity Fair Oscar party and theNAACP Awards.[451]
In November 2005, Usher began dating stylistTameka Foster, who worked as his personal stylist for several years.[452] Their engagement was announced in February 2007.[453] After the sudden cancellation of a planned July wedding inthe Hamptons,[454][455] the two were wed on August 3, 2007, in a civil ceremony inAtlanta.[456] This was followed by a larger wedding ceremony on September 1, 2007, held at the Chateau Elan Winery & Resort outside Atlanta.[457]
Usher's father, Usher Raymond III, died on January 21, 2008.[458]
Upon his marriage to Foster, Usher became a stepfather to Foster's three sons from previous relationships, one born when she was a teenager and two from her first marriage to Atlanta clothier Ryan Glover.[452][453] Usher and Foster also have two sons together: Usher "Cinco" Raymond V, born in November 2007,[459] and Naviyd Ely Raymond, born in December 2008.[460]
In February 2009, two months after the birth of their second son, Foster suffered acardiac arrest inSão Paulo,Brazil, when she was givengeneral anesthesia prior to scheduled cosmetic surgery (reportedlyliposuction), which was ultimately not performed.[461] She wasinduced into a coma to aid her recovery and was transferred to a larger facility, theHospital Sírio-Libanês.[461] Usher canceled his performance atClive Davis's pre-Grammy Gala in order to fly to Brazil to be with Foster.[461] After a week of recovery, Foster's surgeon issued a statement saying that she was "doing very well".[461]
Usher filed for divorce from Foster in June 2009 in Atlanta.[462] The divorce was legally finalized in Fulton County Court on November 4, 2009.[463] This preceded a highly publicizedchild custody dispute spanning three years, which ultimately culminated on August 24, 2012, with a judge awarding Usher primary custody of his two sons with Foster.[464][465]
In 2011,Forbes magazine placed Usher at number 32 on itsCelebrity 100,[466] and reported his earnings after theOMG Tour to stand at $46 million, ranking him at number 12 on "The World's 25 Highest-Paid Musicians" list.[467]
Usher was reported to have adopted avegan diet in 2012.[468]
Foster's 11-year-old son Kile Glover, Usher's former stepson, was declaredbrain dead on July 8, 2012, after being struck by apersonal water craft onLake Lanier the previous day.[469][470] Glover died on July 21, 2012, after being removed fromlife support.[471] Just over a year later, on August 5, 2013, Usher's eldest son, Usher V, was hospitalized in theICU after he became stuck in a drain while swimming in a pool at Usher's home.[472] The next day, Foster filed a request for an emergency custody hearing in Fulton County Superior Court, seeking temporary primary custody and citing Usher V's "near-death accident" as evidence of a lack of supervision of the children.[473] At the hearing on August 9, 2013, the case was dismissed and Usher retained primary custody of their two sons.[474]
In September 2015, Usher quietly married his long-time girlfriend and manager Grace Miguel while vacationing inCuba. There was speculation of the two being married when Miguel's Instagram post showed a picture of a gold wedding band on Usher's finger. He confirmed the marriage during an interview onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show.[475][476]
On July 19, 2017, documents leaked online allege that Usher has been a carrier of theherpes virus since 2009 or 2010 and that he infected a partner with it in 2012. It alleges that Usher paid the woman's doctor bills and settled a civil suit with her for $1.1 million.[477] Amid the allegations,TMZ reported that another woman filed a $10 million lawsuit against Usher claiming that he exposed her to the herpes virus without her knowledge or consent, which is a crime in certain states.[478]TMZ followed up this story with another alleging that she increased her lawsuit to $20 million after testing positive.
Three more claimants sued him on allegations of fraud, sexual battery, infliction of emotional distress and more, alleging that he was positive for the herpes virus and did not tell them in advance. All three were represented by attorney Lisa Bloom, who said on August 8, 2017, that one of her three clients had contracted genital herpes allegedly from him. One of the accusers, Quantasia Sharpton, said she had unprotected sex with him after a concert she attended. The other two accusers, one male and one female, preferred to remain anonymous plaintiffs.[479] Sharpton admitted she tested negative and Bloom stated she did not know if the singer had the disease.[480]
On March 6, 2018, Usher and wife Grace Miguel informedUs Weekly of their separation in a statement that read, in part: "After much thought and consideration we have mutually decided to separate as a couple ... We remain deeply connected, loving friends who will continue supporting each other through the next phases of our lives".[481] On December 28, 2018, Usher filed for divorce from Miguel in Georgia.[482]
In September 2020, it was confirmed that Usher was expecting his third child, with music executive Jenn Goicoechea, whom he reportedly started dating in October 2019.[483][484] Their daughter was born on September 24, 2020.[485] Usher and Goicoecha welcomed their second child together on September 29, 2021.[486] Usher and Goiciechea married inLas Vegas, Nevada on February 11, 2024, immediately following Usher's Super Bowl performance.[487][488]
^"Digital Music Report 2013"(PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. February 26, 2013. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on September 27, 2013. RetrievedDecember 17, 2016.
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