Usher

Raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Usher Raymond IV found his voice at a young age singing in a church youth choir. After his family moved to Atlanta, Raymond, age 10, joined a New Edition–style R&B group called NuBeginnings and recorded his first album, which came out in 1991 and made no impact. After Raymond's performance on Star Search, record exec L.A. Reid signed him to LaFace, which issued his Puff Daddy–produced debut solo album, Usher, in 1994. The LP, which fused R&B and new jack swing rhythms, was a minor success with the hits "Can U Get Wit It" and "Think of You," showing the singer's promise on future albums.

Usher's second album, My Way, which came out in 1997, made him a superstar thanks to the successes of "You Make Me Wanna … " "Nice & Slow," and the title track, which all displayed his smooth, emotional vocals. The album, which featured production by Babyface and Jermaine Dupri, among others, has since been certified septuple platinum. His next album, 8701 (2001), contained two Number One hits – "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad."

Usher's fame reached critical mass with 2004's Confessions, the diamond-selling album, that housed four Number One singles: "Yeah!" (with Lil Jon and Ludacris), "Burn," "Confessions Part II," and "My Boo" (with Alicia Keys). Usher's next three albums, Here I Stand (2008), Raymond v. Raymond (2010), and Looking 4 Myself (2012), would each hit Number One, and 2016's Hard II Love debuted at a respectable Number Five. The singer's ninth full-length, Coming Home, is expected to arrive in February 2024, coinciding with his Super Bowl Halftime show.

Usher is also notable for being one of the first to notice Justin Bieber's talent, executive producing Bieber's 2009 debut EP, My World. Usher has also appeared on American Idol, Britain's Got Talent, and The Voice as a coach. As an actor, he's appeared on the TV shows Moesha and The Bold and the Beautiful and in the movies The Faculty (1998), She's All That (1999), Scary Movie 5 (2013), and Hustler (2019), among others. —Kory Grow

First Name: Usher
Last Name: Raymond IV
Date of Birth: Oct. 14, 1978
Place of Birth: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Discography: Usher (1994), My Way (1997), 8701 (2001), Confessions (2004), Here I Stand (2008), Raymond v. Raymond (2010), Looking 4 Myself (2012), Hard II Love (2016), Coming Home (2024)
Notable Awards: Grammy – Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("U Remind Me"); Grammy – Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("U Don't Have to Call"); Grammy – Best Contemporary R&B Album (Confessions); Grammy – Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Yeah!" feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris); Grammy – Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals ("My Boo" feat. Alicia Keys); Grammy – Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("There Goes My Baby"); Grammy – Best Contemporary R&B Album (Raymond V Raymond); Grammy – Best R&B Performance ("Climax"); BET Award – Best Male R&B Artist (2002, 2004, 2005, 2023); Guiness World Record – Longest stay at No. 1 on US Singles chart in a year (2004)
Other Notable Work: Television: Moesha (1997); American Idol (2010), The Voice (2013-2014); Movies: The Faculty (1998), She's All That (1999), Scary Movie 5 (2013), and Hustler (2019),