One group did not find the album particularly appealing: the critics. The album was more diverse than Usher, a deliberate attempt to appeal to a variety of listeners with a mix of soulful ballads and lively dance songs. 1, staying there for eleven consecutive weeks. Tracks that were especially popular included "You Make Me Wanna" and "Nice and Slow." "You Make Me Wanna" shot up the Billboard charts to No. Usher's new image paid off with My Way, which sold more than five million copies and appealed to listeners beyond the R&B niche, as it mixed R&B and hip-hop styles. He also began writing some of his own songs, working with Dupri of the nine tracks on his second album, My Way,, six were cowritten with Dupri. Usher, wanting to take more control over his career and image, moved away from the Combs-inspired "bad boy" pose and began working with R&B producer Jermaine Dupri. He also joined other singers to create Black Men United, a group that sang on the soundtrack for the film Jason's Lyric. In 1995, Usher was chosen to sing the Coca-Cola jingle in ads for the holiday season. Combs took Usher under his wing for a year, showing him the ropes, although Combs' style did not always feel comfortable for the young Usher. He won the competition and signed a contract with LaFace Music in 1992.Īt the time, the popularity of R&B was giving way to hip-hop, and one of the most well-known names in the hip-hop scene was that of Sean "Puffy" Combs, a performer and producer who had helped promote "gangsta" rap and who eventually became a multiplatinum-selling artist. Usher continued to compete in singing contests and was selected to compete on the nationally televised show Star Search. Hoping to further nurture his abilities, his mother moved the family to Atlanta, Georgia, where many R&B singers had gotten their start. After he had honed his abilities in church, she entered him in talent contests, many of which he won. His mother, noticing his vocal talent, convinced him to join her church choir-a training ground for many well-known R&B singers. His first favorite song was the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back " it inspired him to sing along. They all enjoyed R&B music, so he grew up listening to it. Usher also benefited from having an extended family of grandmothers and aunts. Rhythm and blues singer Usher began his career as a teen singer in the 1990s, but his career has grown to include television and film acting as well as music.
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