It’s a long road to the top and even a longer one before an act reaches the superstar level of Usher Raymond IV. Usher’s path has led to eight Grammy wins and 22 nominations, nine Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s, 64 million albums sold, a monster hit that was part of Strip nightlife’s soundtrack for years in “Yeah!” and now a headlining residency at Caesars Palace with Usher: The Las Vegas Residency. He first played the Colosseum for the first time in July, but he’s back for the holidays with a laser-sharp stage show and a career-spanning set curated for superfans.
Usher’s destiny was determined by talent, confidence and having the right mentors at the right time. Starting in Chattanooga, Tenn., with a group called New Beginnings, he relocated with his family to Atlanta, where he became a Star Search winner and came to the attention of LaFace Records. At age 13 he was sent to New York City to learn about living the recording artist’s life from Sean “Puffy” Combs.
He grew up fast but the desire for success drew him to the studio, as he recalled for a February 2019 edition of Oprah’s Master Class podcast: “All of what I could absorb from being an artist, being around other performers like Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Al B. Sure at the time, Missy Elliott, Timbaland … I would just absorb every bit of what I could get my hand on.”
Usher’s eponymous debut album came out in 1994. He then came under the influence of producer Jermaine Dupri and found his artistic self with 1997’s My Way. The album’s lead single, “You Make Me Wanna...,” became a huge hit, followed by “Nice & Slow” and the title track. He won his first Grammy in 2001 with “U Remind Me,” recognized as Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. All four songs have been part of Usher: The Las Vegas Residency, with “My Way” kicking off this summer’s shows.
Confessions launched Usher into the stratosphere. The 2004 album spent 129 weeks on the Billboard 200, with nine weeks at No. 1. “Yeah!” fueled by an irresistible synth hook and Lil Jon’s punctuating shout-outs, became the No. 1 song for 12 weeks, only to be replaced by Usher’s follow-up single “Burn.” He’d later perform Confessions single “Caught Up” along with “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” with James Brown at the 2005 Grammys.
Brown, Michael Jackson, Prince and Stevie Wonder are arguably all musical godfathers to Usher. He’s cited them as major influences, and their level of showmanship, as well as stage professionalism, continue to inspire his live shows. Usher: The Las Vegas Residency is studded with examples chosen from a catalog that includes 28 Top 10 and 13 No. 1 Hot R&B songs.
Mentorship became a way to pay it forward. Usher is a pivotal figure in Justin Bieber’s success, and to date has donated $400,000 for musical education to Chattanooga’s school system. To 21 schools and 8,000 student beneficiaries, that may be his biggest achievement.
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