We just can’t wait for Usher to take on the Super Bowl Halftime Show this Sunday! The “Yeah!” singer has been in the industry since he was barely a teenager and has been a star ever since. The eight-time Grammy-winning artist has had many ups and a few downs in his career but has managed to mostly stay on top.
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Here is the evolution of the beloved Usher Raymond IV.
Usher: Past Present Future Tour
This week Usher announced that he is going on a nationwide tour titled “Usher: Past Present Future,” which will kick off this August in Washington D.C.!
Childhood
Usher Terry Raymond IV was born on October 14, 1978, in Dallas, Texas. He grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he sang in the church choir. When he was 12, his family moved to Atlanta, where his music career began.
“Star Search”
Growing up he was in several talent shows. His performance on the popular “Star Search” competition show led to a recording contract with LaFace Records. Diddy was also mentoring him at this time.
Debut Single: “Call Me a Mack”
In 1993, he released his debut song “Call Me A Mack” for the movie “Poetic Justice.” A year later, he released his self-titled album.
“My Way”
In 1997, Usher released “My Way,” featuring the hit single “You Make Me Wanna…” “Nice and Slow” became his first chart-topping single, and he received two Grammy nominations for the album.
“Moesha”
Usher played one of Moesha’s love interests, Jeremy Davis, on the 1990s sitcom. He appeared in a total of four episodes between 1997 and 1999.
“8701″
Usher released his third album, “8701,” in 2001. It earned him his first two Grammys for “U Remind Me” and “U Don’t Have To Call.”
Dating Chili
In 2001, he began dating Chili from TLC, but they broke up in 2004. Fans suspected that his album “Confessions” touched on the issues he might have experienced in his relationship with her, but he denied those rumors. The pair dated off and on through the years, but Chili was officially over him in 2019.
“American Dreams”
In 2002, the Grammy winner starred in the TV series “American Dreams.” He played Marvin Gaye for one episode.
“Confessions”
The year 2004 was one of the biggest in Usher’s career. This was the year that the “Confessions” album was released — it was his first chart-topping album, selling more than one million copies in one week. The album features “My Boo” with Alicia Keys and the hit “Yeah” featuring Lil’ Jon and Ludacris.
Grammys Performance Debut
Usher received three Grammys at the 2004 awards show and also made his Grammys performance debut with the legendary James Brown.
Broadway Performance
In 2006, the “Confessions” singer made his Broadway debut in the musical “Chicago” as Billy Flynn. He played the role for three months.
First Marriage
Usher married stylist and fashion designer Tameka Foster in 2007. They had two children together, Usher Raymond V and Naviyd and divorced in 2009.
Signing Justin Bieber
Usher and Scooter Braun in 2008 signed a young Justin Bieber to his first deal for the Raymond Braun Media Group. Usher also released the “Here I Stand” album that year.
More Grammy Awards
In 2011, he snatched up two Grammy trophies — one for Contemporary R&B Album and the other for Male R&B Vocal Performance. The next year, he collected a trophy for Best R&B Performance in “Climax.”
Tragedy Strikes
Usher’s ex-wife Foster had three children from a previous relationship. After the couple divorced, one of Foster’s sons, Kyle Glover, was in a 2012 accident on Georgia’s Lake Lanier that led to a severe brain injury. He eventually died in the hospital.
More Tragedy
One month later, Usher Raymond V was in a pool incident while under the watch of his aunt. Foster began a legal battle alleging her ex-husband wasn’t fit to take care of their two children. The judge ruled in the Grammy winner’s favor, allowing him to keep custody of the children.
“The Voice”
In 2013, Usher became a coach on season 4 of the singing competition show “The Voice” alongside Shakira, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine. He returned for season six, in which one of the contestants on his team won the show.
Second Marriage
The “Climax” singer was married to Def Jam Records executive Grace Miguel in 2015, but that relationship ended in 2018.
Scandal Amid Dropping More Albums
In 2017, Usher was accused of allegedly exposing sexual partners to herpes. Three accusers filed a lawsuit against the “Yeah!” singer. He requested the case be dismissed. In 2019, a $20 million case with a different woman was also dropped, with the parties coming to a settlement.
New Relationship and More Babies
In September 2020, the “Burn” singer welcomed his third child, Sovereign Bo with his girlfriend Jenn Goicoechea. She gave birth to his fourth child, Sire Castrello, in 2021.
Las Vegas Residency
By July 2022, Usher began his 100-show Vegas residency. The show was a fan favorite, featuring roller skating, sexy dancing and even a bit of controversy: Keeping with his trend of serenading celebrities in his audience, he pulled Keke Palmer up to dance with him in the summer of 2023, leading her baby daddy Darius Jackson to respond publicly. He later released a music video for the song “Boyfriend” with Palmer starring.
Super Bowl Halftime Show
Usher will headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show in Las Vegas on February 11. He will release “Coming Home” his first album in almost a decade, the same week as the Halftime Show.
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