Artist Research

R&B/Pop Artists

 

Usher

 

 

 

Born- 14^th October 1978, Tennessee

-          Usher moved to Atlanta aged 14, after performing on Star Search Usher managed to land a recording contract with LaFace Record.
 

-          He released his first album at the age of 15 named ‘Usher’ which debuted at number 167 on the US Billboard 200 and number 25 on the R&B Album charts.

 

 

-          After dominating the charts with is broad vocal range, Usher debuted with his second album called ‘My Way’; selling more than 7million copies. In 1999 Usher released ‘Usher Live’, which was followed by the album ‘8701’ which was hugely successful and included the No.1 song ‘U Got It Bad’. In the US alone, 4million copies of the album were sold alone. He also received Grammy Awards for the hit songs ‘U Remind Me’ and ‘U Don’t Have to Call’.
 

-          In 2004, Usher released the album ‘Confessions’, which was extremely successful. Sales averaged at around 20million copies worldwide, with 1million being sold in the first week. Following this success, Usher was named ‘Artist of the Year’ at the Billboard Music Awards. In 2005 Usher received two ‘People’s Choice Awards’ and three Grammy Awards.
 

-          After the release of Ushers album ‘Raymond v Raymond’ in 2010, he won a further two more Grammy Awards, taking his total to 17 Billboard Music Awards, 8 Soul Train Music Awards, 5 Grammy Awards and 9 awards from the society of Composers.
 

-          Usher has collaborated with a number of artists such as; Nicki Minaj, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne and Pitbull.  

 

 

 

 

 

Beyoncé

 



 

 

 

Born- 4^th September 1981, Houston, Texas

-          Beyoncé first began performing at the age of 7 in a local talent competitions, winning most whilst beating people twice her age. In 1990, Beyoncé began singing with girl group ‘Gyrls Tyme’; they entered talent competitions in Houston.

-           In 1996, Beyoncé’s father took ‘Gyrls Tyme’ and negotiated a deal with Columbia Records, who renamed the group ‘Destiny’s Child’.  They were hugely successful, with their song ‘No, No, No’ being a hit on their debut album. In 1999, ‘Destiny’s Child’ continues their success with their second album ‘The Writings on the Wall’, which sold over 8million copies.

-          In 2000 band members LeToya and LaTavia are dismissed and new members Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin join. However, in July Farrah leaves therefore leaving the band as a trio.

-          In 2001, Beyoncé makes her acting debut in MTV’s Carmen, she then goes on to win her first Grammy Award with ‘Destiny’s Child’ for the song she co-wrote called “Say My Name”. Beyoncé then becomes the first ever black woman to win ASCAPS’s Pop Songwriter of the Year Award.

-          In 2002, Beyoncé makes another big-screen debut with her performance in the Austin Powers movie ‘Goldmember’, which topped the box office in its first weekend of release. Following this success, in 2006 she stars in ‘The Pink Panther’ which takes over 20.2million in its first weekend of release.

-          Beyoncé replaced Brittney Spears to star in the Pepsi commercial which is one of pop’s most sought-after endorsements.

-          In 2003, Beyoncé begins her solo success; with the release of her first solo disk “Dangerously in Love” which sells over 317,000 copies in its first week of release.

-          In August 2003, Beyoncé makes her first solo appearance for the MTV’S Video Music Awards, on the night she also takes home awards for Best R&B Video, Best Female Video and Best Chorography for “Crazy in Love”. 

-          In 2004, Beyoncé wins five Grammy Awards, giving her the record for the most ever Grammy Awards won by a female artist.

-          In 2005, Beyoncé released her own clothing line named “House of Dereon”.

-          In 2007, Beyoncé sets another music record by becoming the first woman to win the International Artist Award. In 2010, Beyoncé wins six out of the ten Grammy Awards she was nominated for.



 

 

  

One Direction

 

 

 

Formed- 2010, The X Factor

-           Band members Harry Styles, Louie Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Niall Horan were all originally solo contestants on the hit talent show The X Factor, however the judges believed they would work well together as a group and they came 3^rd in the competition.
 

-          The band signed a record deal with Syco Records and work started on their debut album soon after as their potential finals song was leaked.

 

-          Their first UK single “What Makes You Beautiful” landed at No.1 on the UK singles chart. Their album “Up All Night” was released in November 2011, and took No.2 on the Album charts as it sold almost 140,000 copies in its first week of release.

 

-          After the album was released, One Direction went on their first tour around the UK.
 

-          One Direction began to gain popularity over in America, they signed a deal to star as the opening act of Big Time Rush from February to March in 2012.
 

-          In 2012, One Direction won a BRIT Award for single “What Makes You Beautiful”.
 

-          One Direction was gaining even more success in America; they were invited to perform on a variety of shows and even the Kids Choice Awards in 2012.
 

-          Due to their success, they launched their second tour which involved over 100 shows, including some of the biggest arenas such as the O2.

 

-          Whilst all this was happening, the boys were being filmed for a documentary called “This Is Us”.
 

-          Whilst touring, the boys began work on their third album “Midnight Memories”, this album peaked at No.1 in seven countries.
 

-          While writing began for their fourth album, they planned to launch a world tour to support the work being done.

 

-          It has been stated by many that One Direction are the biggest and most popular Boy band to exist, with their millions of fans across the globe, and numerous No.1 hits.