Usher Raymond is an American singer, songwriter, actor and producer from Dallas who shot to fame following the release of his self-titled debut album in 1994. Scores of his albums also saw him top the US Billboard 200 chart.
Early career
His music career started in his local church as a choir member. However, his professional music started in Atlanta where he began recording professionally and making guest vocal appearances.
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Usher was discovered on the program Star Search and signed onto the record label LaFace Records after he auditioned with Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road.” He was subsequently sent to New York in 1994 to live with Puff Daddy as a singing/coaching “camp” prior to the release of his debut album.
He released his debut self-titled album when he was just 16 years and it peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard charts. His second album was also an instant hit, particularly the lead single, “You Make Me Wanna…” which reached No. 1 in the U.K and also became his first gold and platinum-certified single in the U.S.
Aside from his first two albums, he has gone on to release several albums, notable amongst them being “Confessions” which sold about 1.1 million units, “Here I Stand” (2008), “Raymond v. Raymond” (2010), “Looking 4 Myself”, and 2016’s “Hard II Love”.
Besides his own album, he has also featured on other songs, including “How Much” (Mariah Carey, Rainbow) “Same Girl” (R. Kelly, Double Up), and “First Dance” (Justin Bieber, My World).
Awards
Usher has several awards to his credit. He has won four American Music Awards, five Grammy Awards, and nineteen Billboard Awards.
Other business ventures
In addition to music, Usher has other side hustles. He is an actor and his notable movie appearances include Moesha, The Faculty, She’s All That and In the Mix. He owns US Records, co-owns the professional basketball team the Cleveland Cavaliers, and music streaming platform Tidal. Also, he co-owns Raymond Braun Media Group, also known as RBMG Record. He is also into real estate.
Net worth
The singer, songwriter, actor and producer has a net worth of $180 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Personal life
Usher was born on October 14, 1978, in Texas but was raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, by his mother Jonetta and his father Usher Raymond II. He attended North Springs High School where he later pursued his career as a singer. His ability to sing was discovered by his grandmother.
In 2007, Usher married stylist Tameka Foster and became a stepfather to her three children. The two of them also have two children together. However, they divorced in 2009.
In 2015, he got married to his long-time girlfriend and manager Grace Miguel but filed for divorce in December 2018.
