Bio

My Way is not only the title of LaFace Records' teen sensation Usher's much

anticipated sophomore album but how this 18-year-old singer is handling his transition

into manhood, his career and his explosive return to the music scene. Usher first

surfaced in 1994 with his self-titled debut album and instantly earned the hearts of

many fans, young and old, male and female, with his powerful voice, charming smile,

adorable babyface and electrifying performances. The following this kid from

Chatanooga, TN, received immediately was so impressive. His self-titled debut album

co-executive produced by Sean "Puffy" Combs (Bad Boy Entertainment), yielded one

gold top ten hit "Think of You" produced by label mate Donell Jones, which

introduced Usher to the world.

This time around Usher is taking no chances. The creative control and personal input

he had on this album is evident in all 10 melodic tracks. The combination of Usher's

matured voice, self-confidence and youthful flavor displays much of Usher's vibrant

personality through his music. "This time around I wanted people to know Usher," he

explains. "So, Jermaine and I just hung out a lot so he got to see my life," Usher said

about Executive Producer of My Way and super producer Jermaine Dupri (So So Def

Records). "What we ended up writing and recording about is my life--about what I've

dealt with, being a teenager who's going into manhood. It's my feelings." LaFace

Records' Co-presidents Antoinio "L.A." Reid and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, also

Executive Producers of the album, brought on the Atlanta based hit maker to work

with Usher and help guide his project. "If it was ever his time, I think it's right now"

says Dupri who produced seven tracks. "He's older and definitely ready to take it to

the next level."

And he definitely does with his first single off the album "You Make Me Wanna..." a

Dupri produced signature track laced with a thumpin' bass line and outstanding guitar

chords guaranteed to make you move. Usher leaves no question on his superb vocal

abilities, providing a variety of ranges and deliveries through great strength. Destined to

be one of the summer's most played jams, "You Make Me Wanna..." is the perfect

track to re-introduce this charismatic star to the world.

Usher did more than voice his opinion about the production of My Way, he decided to

add his words to the record by co-writing six of the album's 9 tracks including "You

Make Me Wanna..." along with Dupri. "I want to show people that I've grown a lot

since my last album, and writing was a part of that process" says Usher. "I wanted to

keep this project simple, work with fewer producers--people who could help me tell

my experiences."

Who better to do that than three of today' hottest producers--Babyface, Teddy Riley,

and Dupri. Babyface adds his golden touch to My Way with two beautiful ballads

displaying the romantic side of Usher. The dreamy ballad "Bed Time" will leave you

falling for your love while Usher professes his love with a little help on background

vocals from Shanice Wilson. Whenever I'm near you my love just comes down,

Whenever I see you I just want you around, 'cause I want to feel you all through the

day and the night, Whenever I'm near you it feels like Bed Time. Babyface also added

a classic to the album when he produced one of his first hits, Midnight Starr's "Slow

Jam." He placed in an additional bridge and invited Arista Recording artist Monica to

match Usher's powerful vocals and recreated another hit.

Riley (Blackstreet, Guy) also contributed a ballad, "I Will" to this well-balanced

collaboration of emotional slow jams and funky party tracks. "The album had to be

half and half," says Usher, "I wanted enough of everything so there's always a song you

want to hear."

The other six tracks on My Way are credited to Dupri who dedicated a lot of personal

time to ensure Usher's project spawns hits into next year. They include the sensual

ballad "Nice and Slow," the midtempo groove "One Day You'll Be Mine," which

samples the Isley Brothers "Footsteps" and "Come Back" a bumpin' dance track laced

with JD's classic raps. The Queen Bee, Lil Kim also lends her risque vocals to a

slammin' mid-tempo track with a hard bassline entitled "Just Like Me."

While graduating from high school and finishing his sophomore album, Usher also

made time over the past couple of years to polish one of his greatest strengths. His

show. "I love the stage, to dance and perform," says an excited Usher. "The stage is

my first love." And it shows. Antonio "L.A." Reid describes Usher as "the ultimate

entertainer" and attributes much of that to his "great vocie, fashionable looks and

superstar presence." Dubbing him "the king of hip hop soul," Reid explains, "there

hasn't been an artist with this much excitement in many years. Usher makes a serious

contribution to urban culture."

That is true both on and off the stage. Understanding the responsibility of being in the

limelight, Usher feels it's very important to portray a positive image to America's youth.

He has involved himself in several community activities including serving as the national

spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Transportations's "Get Big On Safety"

campaign. Usher participated in the NBA Stay in School program and performed at

several of the franchises' jamborees entertaining students while showing them the

importance of education. He also appeared on NBC's Inside Stuff. Much of Usher's

level headed attitude and responsibility comes from strong family values and a good

old fashioned church upbringing. Raised by his mother, who also manages him, he and

his little brother moved to Atlanta from Tennesee when Usher was 12. Usher started

singing in the church choir under the direction of who else but his mom who was also

the choir director. "I've learned that this business is very demanding and stressful, but

my mother's been a great teacher. She keeps me grounded." Once in Atlanta Usher

started entering local talent shows where he was spotted by a LaFace Records

representative and was asked to audition for L.A. Reid. Soon after that Usher was

signed to the label and began recording his debut album.

In addition to recording two albums, Usher has also lent his voice to several different

projects. In 1995, he was tapped by Coca-Cola, USA to record a national jingle for

the holiday season. He joined forces with several of the industry's top male artists to

form Black Men United to record the gold single "You Will Know," featured on the

Jason's Lyric soundtrack. His single "Dreamin'" was the first release off LaFace

Records' 1996 Olympic Album Rhythm of the Games and he did a duet on Arista

recording artist's Monica's debut platinum album remaking the hit "Let's Straighten It

Out." Usher has also made several television appearances and performances including

The Oprah Winfrey Show and The American Music Awards.

My Way is another step on the ladder of success Usher is confidently climbing. "This is

still just the beginning," says the young star enthusiastically. "I'm only 18 years old. I

feel like I've accomplished so much already, but I still have my whole life ahead of me

and much more to do. I'm learning to play instruments, I want to get into acting, I'm

open to do so much."