usher
This young artist named usher raymond
IV became big after his album"You make me wanna...".Well
Usher makes us all wanna... This artist made a first album
called USHER a second album called MY WAY and now a third
album called USHER LIVE. This little teenager didnt alwayz
have it easy. While Usher was making an album with Puff
Daddy Usher hit peuberty. He was experiencing voice changes,
pimples, and had a hard time coping with his changes. He
cried(oh how sensitive). Usher made his second album MY
WAY with LA Reid and Babyface otherwise known as LaFace.
He also became famous because of his other tracks off the
MY WAY album "Nice&Slow"and"My way".
My Way is not only the title of LaFace Records'
teen sensation Usher's much anticipated sophomore album
but how this 18-year-old singer is handling his transition
into manhood, his career and his explosive return to the
music scene. Usher first surfaced in 1994 with his self-titled
debut album and instantly earned the hearts of many fans,
young and old, male and female, with his powerful voice,
charming smile, adorable babyface and electrifying performances.
The following this kid from Chatanooga, TN, received immediately
was so impressive. His self-titled debut album co-executive
produced by Sean "Puffy" Combs (Bad Boy Entertainment),
yielded one gold top ten hit "Think of You" produced
by label mate Donell Jones, which introduced Usher to the
world.
This time around Usher is taking no chances.
The creative control and personal input he had on this album
is evident in all 10 melodic tracks. The combination of
Usher's matured voice, self-confidence and youthful flavor
displays much of Usher's vibrant personality through his
music. "This time around I wanted people to know Usher,"
he explains. "So, Jermaine and I just hung out a lot
so he got to see my life," Usher said about Executive
Producer of My Way and super producer Jermaine Dupri (So
So Def Records). "What we ended up writing and recording
about is my life--about what I've dealt with, being a teenager
who's going into manhood. It's my feelings." LaFace
Records' Co-presidents Antoinio "L.A." Reid and
Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, also Executive Producers
of the album, brought on the Atlanta based hit maker to
work with Usher and help guide his project. "If it
was ever his time, I think it's right now" says Dupri
who produced seven tracks. "He's older and definitely
ready to take it to the next level."
And he definitely does with his first single
off the album "You Make Me Wanna..." a Dupri produced
signature track laced with a thumpin' bass line and outstanding
guitar chords guaranteed to make you move. Usher leaves
no question on his superb vocal abilities, providing a variety
of ranges and deliveries through great strength. Destined
to be one of the summer's most played jams, "You Make
Me Wanna..." is the perfect track to re-introduce this
charismatic star to the world.
Usher did more than voice his opinion about
the production of My Way, he decided to add his words to
the record by co-writing six of the album's 9 tracks including
"You Make Me Wanna..." along with Dupri. "I
want to show people that I've grown a lot since my last
album, and writing was a part of that process" says
Usher. "I wanted to keep this project simple, work
with fewer producers--people who could help me tell my experiences."
Who better to do that than three of today'
hottest producers--Babyface, Teddy Riley, and Dupri. Babyface
adds his golden touch to My Way with two beautiful ballads
displaying the romantic side of Usher. The dreamy ballad
"Bed Time" will leave you falling for your love
while Usher professes his love with a little help on background
vocals from Shanice Wilson. Whenever I'm near you my love
just comes down, Whenever I see you I just want you around,
'cause I want to feel you all through the day and the night,
Whenever I'm near you it feels like Bed Time. Babyface also
added a classic to the album when he produced one of his
first hits, Midnight Starr's "Slow Jam." He placed
in an additional bridge and invited Arista Recording artist
Monica to match Usher's powerful vocals and recreated another
hit.
Riley (Blackstreet, Guy) also contributed
a ballad, "I Will" to this well-balanced collaboration
of emotional slow jams and funky party tracks. "The
album had to be half and half," says Usher, "I
wanted enough of everything so there's always a song you
want to hear."
The other six tracks on My Way are credited
to Dupri who dedicated a lot of personal time to ensure
Usher's project spawns hits into next year. They include
the sensual ballad "Nice and Slow," the midtempo
groove "One Day You'll Be Mine," which samples
the Isley Brothers "Footsteps" and "Come
Back" a bumpin' dance track laced with JD's classic
raps. The Queen Bee, Lil Kim also lends her risque vocals
to a slammin' mid-tempo track with a hard bassline entitled
"Just Like Me."
While graduating from high school and finishing
his sophomore album, Usher also made time over the past
couple of years to polish one of his greatest strengths.
His show. "I love the stage, to dance and perform,"
says an excited Usher. "The stage is my first love."
And it shows. Antonio "L.A." Reid describes Usher
as "the ultimate entertainer" and attributes much
of that to his "great vocie, fashionable looks and
superstar presence." Dubbing him "the king of
hip hop soul," Reid explains, "there hasn't been
an artist with this much excitement in many years. Usher
makes a serious contribution to urban culture."
That is true both on and off the stage. Understanding
the responsibility of being in the limelight, Usher feels
it's very important to portray a positive image to America's
youth. He has involved himself in several community activities
including serving as the national spokesperson for the U.S.
Department of Transportations's "Get Big On Safety"
campaign. Usher participated in the NBA Stay in School program
and performed at several of the franchises' jamborees entertaining
students while showing them the importance of education.
He also appeared on NBC's Inside Stuff. Much of Usher's
level headed attitude and responsibility comes from strong
family values and a good old fashioned church upbringing.
Raised by his mother, who also manages him, he and his little
brother moved to Atlanta from Tennesee when Usher was 12.
Usher started singing in the church choir under the direction
of who else but his mom who was also the choir director.
"I've learned that this business is very demanding
and stressful, but my mother's been a great teacher. She
keeps me grounded." Once in Atlanta Usher started entering
local talent shows where he was spotted by a LaFace Records
representative and was asked to audition for L.A. Reid.
Soon after that Usher was signed to the label and began
recording his debut album.
In addition to recording two albums, Usher
has also lent his voice to several different projects. In
1995, he was tapped by Coca-Cola, USA to record a national
jingle for the holiday season. He joined forces with several
of the industry's top male artists to form Black Men United
to record the gold single "You Will Know," featured
on the Jason's Lyric soundtrack. His single "Dreamin'"
was the first release off LaFace Records' 1996 Olympic Album
Rhythm of the Games and he did a duet on Arista recording
artist's Monica's debut platinum album remaking the hit
"Let's Straighten It Out." Usher has also made
several television appearances and performances including
The Oprah Winfrey Show and The American Music Awards.
My Way is another step on the ladder of success
Usher is confidently climbing. "This is still just
the beginning," says the young star enthusiastically.
"I'm only 18 years old. I feel like I've accomplished
so much already, but I still have my whole life ahead of
me and much more to do. I'm learning to play instruments,
I want to get into acting, I'm open to do so much."
Profile
Full Name:Usher Raymond IV
Birth place:Dallas Tx
Date of birth: October 14,1978 at 4:00 am
Usher parents:Jonetta Patton Ushers manager and loving mother
Siblings:James Patton who is 13
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