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Usher |
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| After having an international multi-platinum success of
his 1997 seven-million-selling album MY WAY, Usher, whose real name
is Usher Raymond, is having great success with his new album 8701. Along with his emergence as a bona fide actor via his work in four major movies, it would be easy for Usher to rest on his laurels. After all, at only 22, the recipient of two Grammy Award nominations, three Billboard Music Awards, a Soul Train Award, two ASCAP Awards and one Blockbuster Music Award, Usher's already well on his way to achieving his primary goal of being an all-round entertainer, using multi-faceted talents and skills as a singer, songwriter, producer, dancer and actor. He is respected by fans as well as other artists. As a result, later this week he will be opening and closing the the tribute to Michael Jackson show with Michael himself. Working with hitmakers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, The Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri, She'kespere, Babyface, new producers Eddie "Hustlechild" Clement and Mike City, Usher "8701" has delivered an album that is a real fusion of hip-hop-flavored pop and edgy R&B. reflects a new level of creative growth, maturity and input for Usher, who served as the album's executive producer. "I did a lot of writing this time," he says. "It was like an evolution and I was involved conceptually this time with every tune." |