Usher is an American singer, songwriter and dancer known for his influential role in contemporary R&B and pop music.
His career highlights include hit albums like Confessions and Raymond v. Raymond, with notable singles such as There Goes My Baby and Climax.
Usher’s recent endeavors include the release of his ninth studio album, Coming Home, featuring collaborations with various artists like H.E.R. and Jungkook of BTS, alongside his performance at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2024.
| Net worth | $180 million |
| Profession | Singer, dancer |
| Date of birth | October 14, 1978 |
| Nationality | American |
Background
Usher was born on October 14, 1978, in Dallas, Texas, to Usher Raymond III and Jonetta Patton (O’Neal).
Her parents separated when he was young, and he was raised mostly by his mother in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Usher’s father, Usher Raymond III, is of African-American heritage, while some sources claim that he also has Haitian ancestry, although this does not appear to be accurate.
Usher’s paternal grandfather was Usher Raymond, Jr., and his paternal grandmother is Evangelist Ernestine Berry.
His maternal grandfather was John Henry O’Neal, and his maternal grandmother was named Christine Gwyn.
Usher has four children, two with his former wife, stylist Tameka Foster, and two with his partner, music executive Jenn Goicoechea.
Net worth
Usher’s net worth is estimated to be around $180 million, making him one of the wealthiest R&B artists.
Despite fluctuations due to lawsuits, his successful music career, business ventures like co-owning the Cleveland Cavaliers, founding US Records and TV appearances have significantly contributed to his wealth.
Additionally, his philanthropic efforts through the New Look Foundation showcase his commitment to giving back to the community.
Real estate
Usher has owned several real estate properties throughout his career, including a mansion in Alpharetta, Georgia, which he purchased in 1999.
This mansion was originally owned by music producer L.A. Reid and was the same house that Usher had visited as a teenager and fallen in love with.
The mansion was massive, featuring over 10,000 square feet in living space, seven bedrooms, eight and a half bathrooms, a private dance studio, a separate yoga studio and even a climate-controlled treehouse.
Usher originally placed the property for sale in 2008 with a $1.8 million price tag, but it was eventually sold in 2018 for $1.5 million.
In addition to his Alpharetta mansion, Usher also owned a three-bedroom, three-bathroom home in Berkeley Park, Atlanta, which he purchased in 2000 for $970,000.
This home was more modestly sized than his Alpharetta mansion but still featured a home theater, high-tech security, a gorgeous kitchen and home automation.
Usher attempted to sell the property in 2017 for $999,900 but failed to land a buyer.
After multiple price drops, he eventually unloaded the property in 2019 for $775,000.
Usher has also owned properties in Los Angeles, including a Spanish-style estate in West Hollywood, which he sold in 2018 for $3.3 million.
This property was originally built in 1926 and featured stenciled beams and handcrafted ironwork, retaining original details while accommodating the artist and his growing family.
In 2022, Usher moved to Las Vegas, where he has been living quietly since then.
Career
Usher’s career took off when he joined the R&B group NuBeginnings and later signed with LaFace Records at 13.
His self-titled debut album in 1994, produced by Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs and Jermaine Dupri, was a moderate success.
The album featured the hit single, Think of You, which reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 .
His second album, My Way, was released in 1997, and it was a major breakthrough for Usher.
The album’s lead single, You Make Me Wanna…, reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and the album eventually went six times platinum in the United States.
The album also included the hit singles, Nice & Slow and My Way.
In 2001, Usher released his third studio album, 8701.
The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and was certified four times platinum in the United States.
The album’s hits included U Remind Me, U Got It Bad and U Don’t Have to Call.
Usher’s subsequent albums, including Here I Stand, Raymond v. Raymond, Looking 4 Myself and Hard II Love have also been successful, with hits like Love in This Club, OMG, Climax and Crash.
Acting career
Usher’s acting career began with a recurring role on the popular TV show, Moesha, in 1997, where he played the character Jeremy Davis for 10 episodes.
This marked his first foray into acting and helped him gain more recognition in the entertainment industry.
In 1998, Usher made his film debut in the horror-comedy, The Faculty, directed by Robert Rodriguez.
He played the role of Gabe Santora, a high school student and football player.
The film was a moderate success and helped establish Usher as a promising actor.
In 2005, Usher starred in the Broadway production of Chicago as lawyer Billy Flynn.
He received praise for his performance and showed his ability to excel in various forms of entertainment.
Usher continued his film career with roles in movies like, Scary Movie 5, where he played himself in a comedic role, and Hands of Stone, a biographical sports drama where he played the role of Sugar Ray Leonard.
In 2019, he appeared in the crime-drama film, Hustlers, alongside Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu and Cardi B.
Usher played the role of a strip club customer who gets involved in a scheme with the main characters.
In 2020, he starred in the horror-comedy film, Bad Hair, directed by Justin Simien.
Usher played the role of Zora’s ex-boyfriend, a successful music executive.
The film received positive reviews, with Usher’s performance being praised.
Diddy mentorship
Diddy played a significant role in Usher’s career as a mentor in the 1990s.
Usher lived with Diddy in New York during his mentorship, which provided him with guidance and exposure to the music industry’s inner workings.
Awards
Usher has won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including 8 Grammy Awards, 12 Soul Train Music Awards, 8 American Music Awards and 3 Guinness World Records.
He has also been recognized by Time magazine’s pop stardom ranking metric, which ranked him 3rd in history based on “all-time chart performance and contemporary significance.”
Rolling Stone magazine named “Confessions Part II” the greatest R&B song of the 21st century and U Don’t Have to Call” the 14th greatest.
Usher has been referred to as the “King of R&B, as well as Mr. Entertainment by The Washington Times and Chicago Tribune.
The BET Honors honored him for his contributions to music with a Musical Arts award in 2015, presented by Bobby Brown who said “You remain a game changer, for your discipline, for your perfectionism. You’re just a god man”.
The BET Honors highlighted his influence on many contemporary artists such as Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Drake, Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo, Miguel, Omarion, Ray J, August Alsina and Eric Bellinger.
Ne-Yo further cited Usher as an influence upon the honor saying ‘Without Usher, there would be no me, there would be no Chris Brown, there would be no Trey Songz. He paved the way for us’.
Other artists who have also cited him as an influence are Zayn Malik and Liam Payne of One Direction and Bryson Tiller among others.
Philanthropic efforts
Usher’s philanthropic efforts are significant, with a focus on empowering young people from underserved neighborhoods around the world to create change in their communities.
In 1999, he established the Usher’s New Look Foundation, which has impacted the lives of over 50,000 youngsters and has been a catalyst for under-resourced youngsters worldwide, including Africa, Hong Kong, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Philippines.
The organization is building a worldwide network of leaders via innovative mentorship and leadership programs that help youth look beyond their circumstances, uncover their potential, and discover their purpose.
Controversies
One significant controversy involved accusations of sexual battery and fraud in a lawsuit over herpes claims.
In 2017, Usher was sued by three individuals who claimed he did not inform them about an alleged herpes infection before engaging in sexual contact.
The lawsuit included charges of sexual battery, fraud, negligence and emotional distress.
While two accusers remained anonymous, one, Quantasia Sharpton, publicly accused Usher of not disclosing his herpes status before their encounter.
Despite the accusations, Usher did not publicly comment on the matter, and the legal proceedings continued.
Personal life
Usher’s wife is Jennifer Goicoechea.
They got married in a surprise Las Vegas wedding ceremony on February 11, 2024, following Usher’s Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance.
Jennifer Goicoechea, an accomplished figure in the music industry, works as an A&R executive at Epic Records.
The couple has two children together, a daughter named Sovereign Bo and a son named Sire Castrello.
Usher also has two sons from a previous marriage with Tameka Foster.