When people experience life-altering events, they either thrive or crumble under the pressure.
Global entertainment icon Usher Raymond IV certainly belongs in the former category. His life as a newly single man has resulted in tremendous creative output and some of the best music of his remarkable career.
In early 2010, Usher released his landmark seventh album, Raymond V. Raymond. The high-powered collection explored his newfound status as a single man and father, sold more than 7 million tracks and ringtones combined, held the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s R&B chart for seven weeks and spawned a string of international hits, including “OMG” featuring will.i.am.
Only a few months removed from the release of Raymond V. Raymond, Usher returns with Versus, a masterful conceptual sequel to its predecessor. Featuring eight new songs as well as Raymond V. Raymond standout and smash single “There Goes My Baby,” Versus finds Usher connecting with his female fans in new and exciting ways.
The Tennessee native has been delivering genre-defining music in a number of styles for the last 15-plus years.
Discovered on “Star Search” and based in Atlanta, a teenaged Usher arrived on the national scene in 1994 with his eponymous debut album. His second album, 1997′s My Way, established him as a superstar with limitless potential. The collection sold more than 7 million copies and included the ubiquitous singles “Nice & Slow” and “You Make Me Wanna .”
After releasing Usher Live in 1999, Usher cemented himself as a musical force with the release of 8701. Featuring the No. 1 hit “U Got It Bad” and Grammy-winning singles “U Remind Me” and “U Don’t Have to Call,” the collection sold more than four million copies and set the stage for the biggest success of Usher’s musical career.
Usher’s Confessions album captivated the music world in 2004, selling more than 1 million copies its first week in stores. It eventually sold more than 20 million copies worldwide thanks to a steady succession of chart-topping singles, “Yeah!,” “Burn” and “Confessions Part II.” The success of Confessions’ singles helped Usher earn a remarkable distinction: he enjoyed 13 consecutive Top 20 singles (seven of which were No. 1).
Lets Take A Moment And Party With Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris – Yeah Video
His award totals are staggering. He’s won 17 Billboard Music Awards, nine ASCAP awards, eight Soul Train Music Awards and eight Grammy Awards, among many others.
As impressive as his musical accomplishments are, they are only part of the Usher story. He’s an accomplished film, television and stage actor, having the leading role in the 2006 Broadway run of Chicago, among other notable roles.
He is part owner of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, has a best-selling line of fragrances including his most recent men’s scent Usher VIP. He also owns US Records (home to emerging superstar Justin Bieber, who is featured on Versus’ “Somebody To Love REMIX”).