Usher (entertainer)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Usher

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Img_capt = Usher during a product launch
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Usher Raymond IV
Born = birth date and age|1978|10|14
Dallas, Texas, United States
Origin = Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Occupation = Singer, songwriter, record executive, actor, philanthropist
Years_active = 1994–present (singing)
1998-present (acting)

Label = LaFace (1994–2000/2004–present)
Arista (2001–2004)
URL = [http://usherworld.com www.usherworld.com]

Usher Raymond IV (born October 14, 1978), [cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/celebrities/profile/index.jsp?uuid=04101470-8d53-4d11-a654-f62ac8d1eb90|title=Usher Raymond - Profile|accessdate=2008-04-26|publisher=E!] known simply by his first name Usher, is an American R&B and pop singer-songwriter and actor who rose to fame in the 1990s. To date, he has sold approximately 30 million albums worldwide and has won five Grammy Awards. [ [http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx GRAMMY Winners Search ] ] Usher is a part owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise, and has his own record label, US Records. On September 13, 2008 Usher has been inducted into the All time Hot 100 Artist by the Billboard Hot 100. He is one of the few artists of his generation to be mentioned. [See [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-artists-21.shtml] ]

Biography

Early life

Usher was born in Dallas, Texas, [ [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?rank=0&f2=usher&f1=raymond&sx=&f4=&f5=&rg_f6__date=&rs_f6__date=0&f7=&f3=&f9=&f8=&f11=&f10=&gskw=&prox=1&db=txbirthindex&ti=0&ti.si=0&gl=&gss=IMAGE&gst=&so=3 Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997] ] the son of Jonetta Patton (née O'Neal) and Usher Terry Raymond III; both of African American heritage. [ [http://www.iamfan.com/~usher/usher-biography.htm Usher Biography] ] He spent the majority of his young life in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a child, he joined his local church choir where he discovered his ability to sing. As early as junior high school, Usher successfully entered local talent shows.Lane, Lynda. [http://wc08.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3xfoxqe5ldfe~T1 Usher biography] . Allmusic] Usher's family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in the belief that the city would provide greater opportunities for showcasing his talent. While in Atlanta, Usher attended the North Springs Charter School of Arts and Sciences. [ [http://www.publicschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/21134 North Springs High School - Atlanta, Georgia/GA - Public School Profile] ]

Early works and debut: 1992—1996

At age thirteen, Raymond competed on "Star Search", where he was spotted by an A&R representative from LaFace Records, who arranged an audition for him with L.A. Reid. A contract with the company soon followed. Usher was introduced on "Call Me A Mack," a song he recorded for the soundtrack album to the John Singleton film, "Poetic Justice".

." [ [http://wc08.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gifpxqwhldfe~T31 allmusic ((( Usher > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles ))) ] ]

After graduating from high school, Usher continued to hone his skills as a stage performer and laid the groundwork for his second album. He also appeared on "Let's Straighten It Out", a 1995 duet with fellow Atlanta teen recording artist Monica; [Hamilton, Andrew. [http://wc08.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:j9frxqqhld6e "Panther" - Overview] . Allmusic: 1995] and on "Dreamin'", from "Rhythm of the Games", LaFace's 1996 Olympic Games benefit album. [ [http://wc08.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:j9frxqqhld6e allmusic ((( Panther > Overview ))) ] ] He was also featured on the Kazaam soundtrack with "I swear I'm in love"

Rising popularity: 1997—2002

Usher developed a friendship with Jermaine Dupri, with whom he co-wrote and produced several tracks for his second album, "My Way", released on September 16, 1997. The lead-off single, "You Make Me Wanna" was serviced to radio that summer and hit number one in its second week out—the same week that the album was released. "You Make Me Wanna" stayed on top of the R&B/Hip-Hop track charts for a total of 11 weeks (the longest-charting R&B hit in more than 3 years) and at #2 on the Pop charts for 7 weeks (second only to Elton John's "Candle In the Wind.") The single remained on the R&B chart for an unprecedented 71 weeks and became Usher's first platinum single. The album's second single, "Nice & Slow," was released in November, and in January 1998 peaked at #1 on the Hot 100 Singles Chart for two weeks, as well as #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart for eight weeks. The following summer, the album's eponymous single title track peaked #2 pop/#4 R&B.

In the closing months of 1997, Usher embarked on a series of tour engagements including a spot on Puffy's "No Way Out" tour, dates with Mary J. Blige, and the opening spot on Janet Jackson's "The Velvet Rope" tour. "My Way" was certified 6x platinum in the United States. Usher received his first Grammy Award nomination as "Best Male R&B Vocal Performance" for "You Make Me Wanna," which was also nominated for a Soul Train Music Award as 'Best Male R&B/Soul Single.'

Usher made his acting debut on the UPN television series "Moesha", which resulted in a recurring role on the series and subsequently his first film role in 1998's "The Faculty". Usher's extracurricular activities outside of the recording studio gathered momentum over the following year as he was cast in the daytime drama "The Bold and the Beautiful" and was seen in the family series "Promised Land". He completed two more films, "She's All That", and his first starring role in "Light It Up". He also appeared in the Disney TV movie "Geppetto" with Drew Carey. Usher also became involved community activities: he served as national spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Transportation's "Get Big On Safety" campaign, and appeared on NBC's "NBA Inside Stuff". He also participated in the NBA's "Stay In School" program, and performed at several of the franchise's jamborees.

Raymond's first concert album, "Live" was released in 1999, which featured appearances by Lil' Kim, Jagged Edge, Trey Lorenz, Shanice, Twista and Manuel Seal, and was RIAA-certified Gold.

—but underperformed in America. The album was subsequently pushed back and retooled after select tracks were later leaked to the radio and Internet, and garnered a largely cold public response.

After having revised the album, it was renamed "8701" (named for the years of his career at that point [1987-2001] , and for its release date of August 7, 2001, or 8/7/01). The first two singles "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad" each topped the U.S. Hot 100 singles chart for four and six weeks respectively in the summer and fall. In early 2002, "U Don't Have to Call," also went top five pop. The albums final single, "U-Turn" was released outside of America, and became a top twenty hit in Australia and the U.K.. "8701" was certified 4x platinum, selling more than eight million copies worldwide.

In February 2002, Usher won a Grammy for 'Best Male R&B Vocal Performance' for "U Remind Me." The next year, he won the same award for "U Don't Have to Call," making Usher the only artist aside from Luther Vandross, more than a decade before, and Stevie Wonder (in the 1970s) to win this award consecutively.

In summer 2002, Usher contributed vocals to P. Diddy's "I Need a Girl, Part I". The year closed out with a trio of TV series appearances, all in November, on "The Twilight Zone", "7th Heaven", "Moesha" , and "American Dreams" (in which Usher portrayed Marvin Gaye).

Breakthrough success and acting: 2004—2007

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 the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and fifth week on top of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.cite web|first=Natalie|last=Finn|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=9df72ba5-f7d6-49ed-87c0-7e9ae94fafde&entry=index|title=Usher Stands on New Release Date|accessdate=2008-04-26|date=2008-04-02|publisher=E! Online] The album's 1.1 million unit first week sales was the highest first week numbers ever scanned by a male R&B artist in Soundscan's 13-year history (breaking R. Kelly's record of 540k for "TP-2.com" back in 2000).

The album's second and third singles: "Burn" and "Confessions Part II" also topped Billboard's Hot 100 singles charts, the former for eight weeks. Usher became the third lead artist in pop music history (but the first solo artist) to have three singles inside the Hot 100's top 10 since The Beatles in 1964, and the Bee Gees in 1978. In September 2004, "My Boo," a duet with singer Alicia Keys (which was included on a "Special Edition", released a half year after the original version), also peaked at number one and gave him a total of twenty-eight weeks on top of the U.S. charts that year. [cite web|first=Sarah|last=Hall|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=6a185008-b770-476e-843f-520445878097&entry=index|title=Usher, Alicia Got Soul|accessdate=2008-04-26|date=2005-03-01|publisher=E! Online] In December, the album's final single "Caught Up" peaked at number eight on the Hot 100. "Confessions" became the most successful album of the year; certified nine time platinum in America, topping the world charts for several weeks and as of 2008 it sold nearly 19 million copies all over the globe. [www.zombarecords.com] After "Caught Up", Usher released another single "Redlight" which is also shown on the "Special Edition" album.

Usher was recognized with numerous awards, including two MTV Video Music Awards for "Best Male Video" and "Best Dance Video", three World Music Awards ("Best Male Artist," "Best Male Pop Artist" and "Best R&B Artist"), two Source Hip-Hop Music Awards ("Male R&B Artist of the Year" and "R&B/Rap Collaboration of the Year," a Nordic Music Award, three Radio Music Awards, four American Music Awards, eleven Billboard Music Awards and two more MTV Europe Music Awards. 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" with Alicia Keys), "Rap/Sung Collaboration" (for "Yeah!") and "Contemporary R&B Album" (for "Confessions").

In spring of 2005, Usher scored a #3 Hot 100 hit as a featured vocalist on Lil' Jon's "Lovers and Friends." In November 2005, Usher starred as a disc jockey named Darrell in the Lions Gate film, "In the Mix".

On August 22, 2006, Usher took over the role of Billy Flynn in the long-running Broadway musical "Chicago". Critical response to his overall performance were mixed. Usher is currently recording his fifth studio album. The album was due for release in November 2007 but was delayed to March 4, 2008. In June, an album was leaked onto the internet, claiming to be the singer's new album; it is however just a bootleg compilation of his previously unreleased material. In 2007, Usher also collaborated with R. Kelly on the track "Same Girl," for Kelly's album, Double Up. [ [http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1558656/20070503/kelly_r.jhtml R. Kelly And Usher Get Played By The 'Same Girl'] . Retrieved on May 7, 2007.] He was also featured in a remix version of Omarion's Ice Box. Usher also appeared on the track "Shakedown" on Mary J. Blige's new album "Growing Pains". [ [http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/mary-j-blige-ft-usher-shake-down/ Mary J. Blige ft. Usher - Shake Down - Listen Now] ]

Returning to music: 2008—present

Before the release of "Here I Stand", the single "Love In This Club" was sent to radio in February and was able to peak at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Usher's 8th number-one single. [ [http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=274555232&s=143441 "Love In This Club"] at iTunes Store] "Here I Stand" was released about three months later on May 26, 2008, in the UK and May 27 in the USA. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585898/20080418/jay_z.jhtml "Jay-Z Jumps On Upbeat Mariah Carey Remix, Mature Usher Song For Jermaine Dupri"] , Shaheem Reid, "MTV News", April 18, 2008.] The first week sales of "Here I Stand" garnered about 433,000 copies, less than his previous album's first week sales, although it did top the "Billboard 200". His second single "Love in This Club, Part II" was released at the end of April and was able to peak in the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the Top 10 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The third US single, "Moving Mountains" did not fare as well as its predecessors on the charts, but did manage to reach the top 20 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at #18. [http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Singles&f=Hot+R%26B%2FHip-Hop+Songs] Usher said he is working on plans for a tour in which he will perform for audiences comprised of only females entitled "One Night Stand". Usher said he is attempting this for the challenge of it. [ [http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/wednesday/news/ny-etbuzz035827068sep03,0,52705.story The Buzz Newsday September 3, 2008] ] Usher, shot the video for his fourth US single "Trading Places", and performed at the National Football League's annual kickoff concert tomorrow (Sept. 4) in New York along with Keith Urban and Natasha Bedingfield. Usher's third international single will be "What's Your Name" featuring will.i.am.

US Records

Usher founded US Records, a vanity label, in 2002. [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001349813 Usher's Label Finally Goes Live] , Gail Mitchell] "Billboard". October 21, 2005.] The label is a subsidiary of Clive Davis's J Records, which is distributed by Sony BMG. The first album released by US was the soundtrack of "In the Mix" in late 2005, which was used to introduce the label's acts, such as rapper Rico Love, R&B vocal group One Chance (both of whom had tracks released on a dual single prior to the album's release), and singer Rayan.

US has not released any further material since the "In the Mix" soundtrack. One Chance's debut album, originally scheduled for release in late 2006, has been pushed back numerous times.

Personal life

Usher married Tameka Foster in 2007, [cite web|first=Natalie|last=Finn|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=688e9f23-5672-4ba7-81b1-765a58951938&entry=index|title=Usher Takes the Plunge|accessdate=2008-04-26|date=2007-08-04|publisher=E! Online] with whom he has a son, Usher Raymond V, born the same year. [cite web|first=Jem|last=Aswad|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1575151/20071127/usher.jhtml|title=Usher, Tameka Foster Welcome Baby Boy|accessdate=2008-01-19|date=2007-11-28|publisher=MTV] On September 9, 2008, it was announced that the couple are expecting their second child together. [Alissa R. (September 9, 2008). [http://www.usmagazine.com/news/usher-wife-expecting-second-child Singer Usher and Wife Expecting Second Child] "Us Magazine". Accessed September 11, 2008.]

Discography

* "Usher" (1994)
* "My Way" (1997)
* "8701" (2001)
* "Confessions" (2004)
* "Here I Stand" (2008)

Filmography

* "The Bold And The Beautiful" as Raymond (1998)
* "The Faculty" (1998)
* "She's All That" (1999)
* "Light It Up" (1999)
* "Texas Rangers" (2001)
* "In the Mix" (2005)

Awards and nominations

ee also

* Honorific titles in popular music

References

External links

* [http://www.usherworld.com Official Site]
* [http://www.usherforever.com Usherforever.com]
* at LyricWiki
*