Chosen Artist Background-Usher

Usher or Usher Terry Raymond IV which is his given name was born on 14th October 1978 in Dallas, Texas in the United States is an American song writer/singer. Usher causes much contraversary as he is either considered the reigning R&B King or second to R Kelly.

Usher's first album 'Usher' didnt do very well only reaching one hundred and sixty seven on the US Billboard of 2000. However Usher's second album 'My Way' which was released on 16th September1997 gave him a number one hit called 'Nice and Slow' and helped shot him to fame. Usher's third album really helped to bring Usher into the spot light as '8701' released on 7th August 2001 produced two number one hits 'U Remind Me' and 'U Got It Bad'. With 'U Dont Have To Call' reaching number 3 in America and number 4 in the United Kingdom. Although Usher's forth song wasnt released in the United States of America it peaked inside the top 20 in the United Kingdom. With 8 million copies sold worldwide between the two albums (My Way and 8701) Usher was established as one of the best selling R&B artists of the 1990's. Usher's fourth album 'Confessions' was released on March 23rd 2004 and not only sold 10 million copies in America, sold 20 million copies world wide, but also has the highest first week sales for an R&B artist in the first week as well as giving USher a massive four number one hits 'Yeah' featuring Ludacris, 'Burn' 'Confessions Part II' and 'My Boo' which featured Alicia Keys. Usher's fifth album 'Here I Stand' was released four years after his 'Confessions' album on May 13th 2008 but didnt have the same success only managing to sell 5 million copies worldwide and producing only one number one 'Love In This Club'. 'Raymond v. Raymond' is Usher's sixth album and was released on March 26th 2010 becoming his third consecutive album to debut at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. It produced one number hit called 'OMG' which featured will.i.am in it, giving Usher nine number ones in America. This made Usher the first artist in 2010 to have number ones over three decades and one of four to achieve this of all time. Uhser's seventh album 'Versus' is an extended version of 'Raymond v. Raymond' and was released on August 24th 2010 and became Usher's sixth top ten album. It's leading single 'DJ Got Us Fallin In Love' reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and the album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart.

Beside being an international music artist Usher is several other business invluding several resturants, acting in feature films including 'In the Mix' 'Light It Up' and debating in 'The Faculty' in 1998. Further more staring in tv shows such as Moshea, Geppetto and The Bold And The Beautiful. Usher has also founded his own record label US Records which has help to produce many arists today Justin Bieber, rapper Rico Love and R&B vocal group One Chance. Usher is also the third pop artist to own a large stake in an NBA team he is part owber of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lastly Usher has also been a contestent mentor on the show American Idol in Season 9 week 10. As well as staring in the ITV 1 show Britian's Got Talent on 5th June 2010.

Alltogther Usher is one of the best selling arists of all time in America selling 65 million records woldwide and 23 million copies in the United States alone. Usher has won loads of awards including twenty two Billboard Music Awards, six American Music Awards, seven Grammy Awards and four World Music Awards.