USHER

Usher Raymond IV, born October 14, 1978, is one of the defining voices of contemporary R&B. Raised partly in Chattanooga, Tennessee before relocating to Atlanta, he broke through as a teenager in the mid-1990s and matured into a genre-shaping artist with his 1997 album My Way and its 2001 follow-up 8701. His commercial and artistic peak came with 2004's Confessions, a diamond-certified record built on hits like «Yeah!», «Burn», and «Confessions Part II», which fused smooth R&B vocals with crunk and hip-hop production.

Usher's sound blends classic soul-influenced singing with dance-driven, often electronic production, making him a bridge between traditional R&B balladry and club-ready pop. Tracks such as «My Boo» (a duet with Alicia Keys) and «Climax» showcase his range, from romantic duets to atmospheric, Diplo-produced minimalism. He has also embraced dancefloor energy on songs like «Nice & Slow» and later material such as «Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)».

Beyond his own catalog, Usher has been an influential collaborator and mentor figure in R&B and pop, working across generations of producers and artists. His career-spanning body of work, choreography-driven live performances, and consistent chart presence have cemented his status as one of the genre's most enduring and influential figures.