Usher

Hailing from Chattanooga, TN, Usher Raymond (best known by his given name) emerged in the '90s as a young R&B singer full of promise. The stars must have been aligned correctly for him, as he snagged Puffy Combs as a producer for his eponymous 1994 debut album, which helped make him a household name in the world of contemporary soul. He would go on to work with everyone from Teddy Riley and Babyface to Jermaine Dupri and young R&B siren Monica, expanding his audience all the while, and quickly becoming one of the most recognisable faces in modern R&B.

• pop
• r&b/soul
• hip hop/rap