Usher Raymond IV (1978), better known as just Usher, was signed by L.A. Reid after participating in televised talent show Star Search at age 13. Part of his first album, Usher, was produced by P. Diddy. His big breakthrough came in 1997 with his second album My Way and hit singles such as You Make Me Wanna and Nice & Slow. The album sold over seven million copies worldwide; its two successors, 8701 (2001) and My Confession (2004), sold even more copies. Usher has worked with many music greats and built on his imperium: still an active artist, he also found success as an actor in both films and television series and as a producer and record label owner for Justin Bieber, among others. He was a coach on TV show The Voice and is currently working on his eighth studio album, UR, due for release this year.
