Usher Raymond IV (also known by his stage name Usher, 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 1978 in Dallas, USA) is one of the most influential artists in the history of modern R&B music with 8 Grammy awards.
Usher began to gain fame at a young age, influenced by the talent of his father, Usher Raymond III, a musician who played for many famous bands. In 1990, Usher won his first music talent contest and was noticed by “managers”. Then, in 1993, he signed a recording contract with LaFace Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music. Usher gradually became a name in the American music industry and worked in many genres, including R&B, blues and pop.
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After his debut album Usher (released in 1994) did not achieve commercial success, he released his second album My Way in 1997 and sold over 7 million copies, of which the single Nice & Slow from this album topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking a turning point in Usher’s career, solidifying his position as a rising R&B star. Usher had his third album (8701) in 2001 with 2 songs U Remind Me and U Don’t Have to Call which brought him 2 Grammy Awards.
Ten years after his debut album, Usher released his fourth album Confessions (2004) to critical acclaim. In its first week of release, the album sold over 1 million copies and has since sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide. In addition, Usher also tried his hand at acting, appearing in several films and reality television shows.
The music star is also known for his philanthropy and social justice advocacy. He founded the Usher Raymond Foundation to support youth empowerment and education programs. In 2020, Usher joined the Black Lives Matter movement and partnered with several organizations to combat racism and support minority communities.
