Usher trivia will show that he was born in Dallas, Texas. Usher’s real name is Russell Wayne Usher. In fact, the artist used his real name when he was a child but according to Usher trivia, he changed it when he got to New York and had a recording contract. Usher has also been known as, R&B vocalist who rose to popularity after selling his six-LP set Way in the 1980s. The lead single from the album was “What’s the Secret?”
Usher trivia shows that Usher did have musical influences growing up. Usher did learn how to play an acoustic guitar when he was a teenager, according to Usher biography. Usher’s family moved around a lot, so they were not far from each other, which may account for some of Usher’s fondness for the Beatles.
Usher’s birth sign is Virgo. Usher trivia shows that Usher has a brother named Michael Usher who is a songwriter and guitarist in the band Weezer. Usher family also has roots in Judaism, so his maternal grandmother was Jewish and his father was not.
Usher did go to a Jewish boarding school called Hebrew Institute of America, which is where many future artists, writers and musicians went. Usher did struggle with his confidence and self-esteem in those years, according to Usher bio. Usher did graduate with an Associate of Arts degree in Music, but he didn’t know what he wanted to do with music. Usher didn’t attend the Jewish music school to get his degree, but he did attend the University of Illinois at Champaign, according to Usher bio. He then attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Business and Music Therapy with a minor in Math. Usher is listed on the masthead of the university as a Music professor.
| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Usher Raymond IV |
| Nick Name | Big Ush, Big Tyme, Mr. Entertainment |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Dancer, Businessman, Philanthropist, NBA owner. |
| Famous For | Confessions (2004) |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height | in centimeters- 173 cm in meters- 1.73 m in Feet Inches- 5’8″ |
| Weight (approx.) | in Kilograms- 75 kg in Pounds- 165 lbs |
| Body Measurements | – Chest: 45 Inches – Waist: 33 Inches – Biceps: 15.5 Inches |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Dark Brown |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1978 |
| Age (as in 2016) | 38 Years |
| Birth Place | Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Libra |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | Chattanooga, Tennessee Atlanta, Georgia (12) |
| School | North Springs High School |
| College | N/A |
| Education Qualification | High School |
| Debut | Album – Usher (1994) Movie – The Faculty (1998) Moesha (4 episodes) |
| Family | Father– Usher Raymond III (father) Mother– Jonetta Patton (mother) Brother– James Lackey (Half-brother) |
Usher’s Jewish heritage is reflected in his name. His parents, Immi Ador and Louis Zametkin, were both born to Jewish immigrants from Russia. Usher’s grandparents were both born in Germany. Usher was raised in the Jewish community of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Usher’s paternal grandfather was very close to his biological father and the two grew up together in Brooklyn, according to Usher bio. Usher’s maternal grandmother was also Jewish.
Usher’s middle name is Usher Smith. Usher was named after Usher Smith, a fellow member of The Yardbirds. Usher played on-air with The Yardbirds, a popular radio show in the seventies and eighties. Usher had also appeared in a string of videos for The Yardbirds, and had a song on the album called “Basset,” which was a number one hit. Usher is pictured by many as wearing a baseball cap with an Old Line Poster for The Yardbirds on it. Usher has also made numerous other television appearances including his role on The Simpsons, Friends, Family Matters, and Boy Meets Girl.
