Usher

Usher Raymond IV was born on 14 October 1978 in Dallas, Texas. His parents are Usher Raymond III and Jonetta Patton. His father left the family when Usher was only a year old. He grew up with his mother, a stepfather, and a half brother.

Usher, who attended North Springs High School, displayed a keen interest in music from an early age. Later, he joined a singing group which helped him further hone his singing skills.

After he landed a recording contract with LaFace Records, Usher released his self-titled debut album when he was only fifteen. Despite the fact that he was going through puberty and had almost lost his voice, the album did well, and peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and at number 167 at the US Billboard 200. However, the album was criticized because Usher sang about sex, which the public found inappropriate coming from someone so young.

Eventually he graduated from high school and continued working on his skills to develop his next albums. His second studio album was released in September 1997. The album ‘My Way’, which included hit singles such as ‘Nice & Slow’, and ‘You Make Me Wanna’, debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200, eventually reaching the number 4 spot. It sold over seven million copies worldwide.

Meanwhile, Usher also made his acting debut in the American TV series ‘Moesha’, where he played one of the many supporting roles. The show went on to become one of the most popular on the UPN network. He also appeared in a supporting role in the 1998 sci-fi horror film ‘The Faculty’. The film was a moderate commercial success.

In 2001, he released his third album ‘8701’. Selling over 210,000 copies in its first week itself, the album was quite successful. It also peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200.

His fourth album ‘Confessions’, which he released in 2004 was also received well by both critics and audience. Though the album was an instant hit, selling 1.1 million copies in its first week itself, it also kindled certain rumors about Usher’s personal relationship. The album also won Usher several awards.

‘My Way’, the second studio album by Usher, which was released in September 1997, is among his most significant and popular works. The album, which included singles, such as ‘Nice & Slow’, ‘My Way’, and ‘You Make Me Wanna’, gained huge popularity, and stood at number 4 on the Billboard 200. It also became popular in other countries, standing at number 13 in the ‘Canada Albums’ chart, and at number 16 in the UK albums chart. Having sold seven million copies worldwide, the album was a commercial success.

’Looking 4 Myself’, Usher’s seventh studio album, can be regarded as the most successful work in his career. With popular singles such as ‘Can’t Stop Won’t Stop’, ‘Scream’ and ‘Climax’, the album was a huge success, and debuted at number one position on the US Billboard 200. The album was also a hit across other countries, debuting at number 3 in the UK Albums, number 4 in the Dutch Albums, and number 8 in the Italian Albums. Its reviews were also mostly positive.

As an actor, Usher played a significant role in the 2016 biographical sports film, ‘Hands of Stone,’ which was about the career of former professional boxer Roberto Duran. Directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz, the film premiered at the 2016 Cannes film festival. However, it failed to be a commercial success.