World-renowned artist Usher has undeniably made a groundbreaking impact on the music industry. The multi-talented singer is widely known for his unique, soulful vocals and his ability to create catchy hooks that fans can never seem to get enough of. Since his debut in 1994, Usher has released dozens of chart-topping hits. He began his career at a very young age after his family decided to move to Atlanta. There, his talents could be showcased, and he would receive many more opportunities.
Soon, he released his first album at only 15 years old, giving him years to grow as an artist and learn from the best. Ever since the dawn of his career, Usher has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry. This includes Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Ludacris, and more. Usher remains a beloved figure in the music scene and still receives praise for his abundance of 2000s hits.
“My Boo” With Alicia Keys
“My Boo” is a 2004 R&B classic written and released by Usher as a part of his fourth studio album, Confessions. The track features singer-songwriter Alicia Keys. It’s a stunning duet that is still loved by loyal fans across the globe. Initially released as a single, “My Boo” stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts for six weeks. The song’s lyrics are written to tell the story of two lovers and their heartache. It also acted as a relatable and catchy song for fans. In fact, it was even recognized as only the 36th biggest song of the decade between 2000-2009.
“Love In This Club” ft. Jeezy (2008)
Usher’s “Love In This Club” was released on February 22, 2008, as the lead single from his fifth studio album, Here I Stand. The song features rapper Jeezy, mainly along the chorus. The track also contains a Las Vegas-inspired synth beat, creating an electronic R&B sound that fans seemed to love. It quickly reached No. 1 in the United States as well as New Zealand, and was in the Top 10 in many other countries. The lyrics allude to seducing a beautiful woman in a nightclub. The first verse also shouts out to Polow Da Don, the song’s producer.
“OMG” ft. Will.I.Am (2010)
Usher’s usual blend of up-tempo Pop and R&B shines perfectly through “OMG.” The song was written and produced by icon Will.i.am. It heavily utilizes auto-tune, a popular audio effect of the early 2000s. The song was an immediate success as it was the album’s lead single. The lyrics tell a story of a woman which Usher is so incredibly enamored by that he can’t help himself from yelling “Oh my god” repeatedly.
“DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” ft. Pitbull (2010)
Featuring guest vocals from global superstar Pitbull, “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” was undeniably one of Usher’s best hit tracks. This dance-pop song is also catchy, fun, and never fails to have fans on their feet. It reached the Top 3 in charts worldwide, including Japan, Canada, and France. The song received positive reviews from critics and fans alike and soon turned into one of Usher’s most successful songs of his career.
“Yeah!” ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris (2004)
“Yeah!” landed its spot at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for 12 weeks, itself a record compared to any of Usher’s other hits. It’s a brilliant musical mesh of R&B, Crunk, and hip-hop that leaves fans dancing. The song also won a Grammy award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and received a nomination for Record of the Year.
Usher has been a prominent figure in the music industry for over two decades. The singer has released eight successful studio albums, won an incredible amount of accolades, and sold over 75 million records worldwide. Usher’s career has also been marked by his ability to create music that fans carry with them. He continues to make his name heard to this day.