Usher – Topping Charts Since 1997
Today (10/14) is Usher’s 43rd birthday – so we’re taking the time to honor all that he’s done!
Usher has been famous for the majority of his life, he’s helped transcend entire genres, he’s discovered future superstars, and has done so gracefully. Not every superstar has had the consistency, nor longevity that Usher has been able to accomplish – but what separates Usher from other artists?
Generational Hits
Usher has been making chart-topping hits for decades, and there’s no reason to expect him to stop. Usher released a self-titled album at the age of 15 years old, and has gone on to sell more than 65 million albums worldwide. He’s one of a handful of artists who was able to achieve R&B success in the 90’s and crossover into the fusion of hip-hop and R&B in the 2000’s.
Very few artists could make both You Make Me Wanna… and Yeah!
Eye for Talent
Usher is largely considered responsible for building Justin Bieber into one of the biggest pop stars and celebrities on Earth. Usher signed Bieber to his company Raymond Braun Media Group, which is a collaboration with Scooter Braun. Bieber had immediate connections within the music industry through Raymond Braun, which allowed him to skyrocket into superstardom.
Similarly, Usher has consistently collaborated with cutting edge artists regardless of time period, from Bieber to Zaytoven. Usher’s list of features consists of some of the greatest artists of this generation – Lil Wayne, Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Nas to name a few.
More Than Music
Nowadays it’s common for artists to step outside of their field, but Usher has done nearly everything. He’s a part owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was a cast member on Moesha, he was a coach on The Voice, and began doing philanthropic work in 2005.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Usher launched an initiative called “Project Restart” that helped house more than 700 families. He created a program advocating for “Change In The South” and donated more than $100,000 to Colin Kaepernick’s #10for10 campaign.
Now – Usher has a residency in Las Vegas where A-list celebrities make sure to stop by. He’ll certainly find his way back to the top of the charts, it’s only a matter of when.