Usher Raymond IV, born October 14, 1978, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor who rose to prominence in the late 1990s. Referred to by some as the "King of R&B," he is recognized as an influential figure in contemporary R&B and pop music. As a child, he sang in church choirs in Chattanooga, Tennessee. At the age of 12, his family moved to Atlanta, and two years later he signed a recording contract with LaFace Records. His self-titled debut album, Usher, was released in 1994 when he was 15 years old.
Rise to Fame and Stardom
Usher's breakthrough came with his second album, My Way (1997), which featured the hit singles "You Make Me Wanna..." and his first U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one, "Nice & Slow". The album has sold over 7 million copies. His fluid vocals and impressive dance skills quickly became his trademark. His third album, 8701 (2001), continued his success with two more number-one hits, "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad". This album earned him his first two Grammy Awards. Throughout his career, Usher has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Confessions and Global Superstardom
In 2004, Usher released his fourth album, Confessions, which established him as one of the biggest music artists of the 2000s. The album sold over 1.1 million copies in its first week and has been certified Diamond by the RIAA. It featured four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles: "Yeah!", "Burn," "Confessions Part II," and "My Boo," a duet with Alicia Keys. The album won three Grammy Awards, including Best Contemporary R&B Album.
Later Career and Other Ventures
Usher has continued to release successful albums, including Here I Stand (2008), Raymond v. Raymond (2010), and Looking 4 Myself (2012). The single "OMG" from Raymond v. Raymond made him one of the few artists to have a number-one single in three consecutive decades. His most recent album, Coming Home, was released in 2024. Beyond music, Usher has had a career in acting, with roles in television shows like Moesha and films such as The Faculty (1998) and In the Mix (2005). He also served as a coach on the reality television singing competition The Voice. In 2024, he performed at the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show.
Philanthropy and Personal Life
Usher founded the New Look Foundation in 1999, a non-profit organization that helps young people from low-income backgrounds. He is also a part owner of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. Usher has four children. He was married to Tameka Foster from 2007 to 2009 and Grace Miguel from 2015 to 2018. In 2024, he married Jennifer Goicoechea.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his extensive career, Usher has won numerous awards, including eight Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, and 18 Billboard Music Awards. He was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame. In 2024, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards and was honored with four NAACP Image Awards, including Entertainer of the Year.