In the 1990s, I spent my free time listening to Nirvana and Soundgarden, occasionally taking a few minutes to update my flannel wardrobe. (None of that has changed actually.) In other words, when Usher was announced as the halftime performer for Super Bowl LVIII, rather than react with an OMG, my initial reaction was who is that again?
On that backdrop, here’s what you need to know about the singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor—including 10 key songs—to pretend you’re not out of touch.
The Man
Let’s start with a few numbers, straight from Wikipedia, that paint a portrait of Usher Raymond IV.
1978
The year Usher was born. He later moved from his birth city of Dallas to Chattanooga, Tennessee, eventually landing in Atlanta.
1994
The year he released his self-titled debut album.
9
The number of full-length albums he has released in total, including one in 2024. (Nine is also the number of his singles that have reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.)
80 million
A guess as to the number of worldwide record sales Usher can claim, up there with the likes of Justin Timberlake and Shakira.
8
The number of Grammys he has won.
1999
The year he founded the charitable organization New Look, which provides an array of educational opportunities to underserved children.
2005
The year the R&B and pop icon entered the sports world, becoming a minority owner of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. He also has a host of other business ventures (as below) and is, of course, an endorsement machine.
2008
The year Mr. Raymond cofounded the record label Raymond-Braun Media Group (RBMG) with Scooter Braun, the target of Taylor Swift‘s ire. The only artist signed to RBMG is Justin Bieber.
2
The number of times Mr. Raymond has been married. Both unions ended in divorce.
4
The number of children he has fathered, two with his first wife and two with his most recent partner. Unlike me, he has thus far managed to avoid dad bod, maintaining his status as a sex symbol.
1
The number of times he has done a Tiny Desk Concert. It was one of the best in the series.
The Music
And now the tunes. Knowing these 10 tracks—many of which you’ll recognize—should help you masquerade as with it.
“You Make Me Wanna…” (1997)
Usher’s second album, My Way, launched him to stardom, and this song played no small role.
“My Way” (1998)
The eponymous track from the same album was a key part of star formation as well.
“U Remind Me” (2001)
The next album, 8701, was loaded (and loaded with songs starting with U).
“U Don’t Have to Call” (2002)
See above.
“Yeah!” (featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris, 2004)
Confessions, the fourth album, was just as stacked, and its first single remains perhaps Usher’s best-known jam.
“Confessions Part II” (2004)
From the same album came this song, now considered an essential in the catalog.
“Caught Up” (2005)
Not to be outdone, the last single from album number four earned serious airtime as well.
“OMG” (featuring will.i.am, 2010)
This jam from the sixth album, Raymond v. Raymond, kept Usher in the spotlight.
“DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” (featuring Pitbull, 2010)
As did an EP that served as the postscript to Raymond v. Raymond and produced this classic.
“Good Good” (with Summer Walker and 21 Savage, 2023)
And finally, the first single from the aforementioned ninth album, Coming Home, which proves that the King of R&B isn’t giving up his throne anytime soon.
What color flannel should I wear?
