Born Usher Raymond IV in Dallas, Texas in 1978, the R&B singer Usher was raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He honed his singing skills in the church choir and went on to win five Grammy awards, selling 30 million albums around the world. Usher was almost fifteen years old when his first single hit the R&B chart.

His debut album was only moderately successful. Released in 1994, several of the tracks were produced by Sean ‘Puff Daddy’ Combs.

The next album, My Way was a runaway success. Usher had befriended Jermaine Dupri and he co-wrote and produced some of the tracks. Tour dates followed with Mary J.Blige and Janet Jackson. A live album was then released which included a medley of hits by Bobby Brown, and guest spots from Lil’Kim, Jagged Edge, Trey Lorenze, and Shanice.

More hit albums and singles followed for Usher. He likes to collaborate with other artists and has sung with P.Diddy and Loon on their 2001 single, I Need A Girl and with Alicia Keys on My Boo in 2004. Usher also appeared in one of Beyonce’s videos.

In addition to his recording career, Usher has made it as an actor, appearing on TV and in movies. He debuted on the television show Moesha, the situation comedy starring R&B singer Brandy Norwood, Countess Vaughn and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

This led to a series of roles in cult, teen movies. He starred in The Faculty, a science fiction thriller directed by Robert Rodriguez. His co-stars were Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, and Salma Hayek. She’s All That followed, with Freddie Prinze Jr and Rachael Leigh Cook. This was a high school comedy, directed by Robert Iscove. Usher appeared in another high school story, this time a drama called Light It Up, directed by Craig Bolotin, and starring Forest Whitaker, Judd Nelson, and Sara Gilbert.

Usher got the chance to show off his dancing skills, when he made the Disney musical fantasy for TV titled Geppetto. Directed by Tom Moore, it featured Drew Carrey, Brent Spiner, and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. He also appeared in the soap, The Bold and the Beautiful alongside Susan Flannery, Katherine Kelly Lang, and Ronn Moss.

The future looks secure for Usher. His fifth studio album is expected in 2007, and he is due to star on Broadway when he joins the cast of Chicago in August 2006. The record label he owns also keeps him busy. Started in 2005, the first artist he signed was Rico Love.