The success of his 2001 follow-up, 8701, however, quieted that criticism. Usher released a collection of live recordings entitled Live in 1999 before returning to the studio to record All About U.Īnother platinum release, All About U (2000) received mixed reviews from critics who questioned Usher’s longevity as an R&B artist. During that time he also appeared on the covers of numerous music and popular-culture magazines. In 1998 Usher briefly stopped recording to appear in several feature films, most notably Light It Up (1999), in which he plays the lead. My Way offered Usher new opportunities to extend his status as a popular celebrity. A popular crossover effort driven by the songs “You Make Me Wanna” and “Nice and Slow,” My Way reached multiplatinum sales. In 1997 Usher released My Way under the guidance of Reid and well-known producers Jermaine Dupri and Babyface. Between 19 Usher worked on several solo and collaborative projects, recording a jingle for Coca-Cola, forming R&B vocal group Black Men United to produce the single “You Will Know,” and generally building fan support for his next album. The album’s first single,”Think of You,” spearheaded the disc into gold status and established Usher as an up-and-coming R&B star. In 1994 Usher released Usher, an album coproduced by Reid and New York rap magnate Sean “P. Reid invited Usher to an audition and signed the fourteen-year-old to a recording contract.

In 1991 his performance at a talent show caught the attention of Antonio “L.A.” Reid of LaFace Records. After moving to Atlanta with his mother, Jonnetta Patton, in 1990 to pursue a record deal, Usher began performing in amateur singing competitions. He honed his vocal skills as a member of the St. Usher Raymond was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on October 14, 1978. Courtesy of Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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