In the R&B world, there’s no one quite as smooth as Usher. His sweet voice has been enchanting women for years, and his hits have gotten people grooving in clubs across America. Though he looked like a baby-faced Lothario when he started in the industry, he’s grown into a pin-up superstar that’s respected both within and outside the genre. The heavy airplay his club hit “Yeah!” received is all the proof you need to know this star has caught on with a wide group of music listeners across the country.Usher—better known to friends and family as Usher Raymond—got a start early in the R&B scene, practicing in his church choir before getting his big chance and auditioning for a recording contract at the age of 14. His self-titled debut came out in 1994, introducing him to eager R&B fans. He was an instant sensation for those who were lucky enough to receive early exposure to his music, but it wasn’t until 1997’s My Way that he found himself courting super-stardom status. With Sean “Puffy” Combs, Babyface and Jermaine Dupri collaborating on the record’s production, it was a sure-fire hit that attracted fans to its songs “You Make Me Wanna,” “Nice & Slow,” and “My Way.” These songs received heavy rotation on the radio, attracting fans outside the R&B scene because of their catchiness. Usher was a full-fledged pop star for sure.He began an acting career around this time, appearing in the 1998 horror film The Faculty and developing a recurring role on Moesha as the title character’s love interest. He’s gone on to perform on many other films and television shows, often making memorable guest appearances that have shown off his talent for acting as well.In 1999, he founded a non-profit organization called New Look. It began as a charity that would locate low-income children and cultivate their talents for the entertainment or sports industries, giving them both the financial and moral support to reach for their dreams. Over time, New Look’s priorities have changed. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which left Louisiana and Mississippi devastated, it has joined the efforts to rebuild crucial services and standards of living in that area. In 2005, it also opened Camp New Look, a two-week summer camp for teens that gives them confidence-building experiences and develops skills they can use later in life for securing a career.