It’s hard to find flaw in this air-tight set and it comes VERY close to being Usher’s greatest achievement – but Ursher would outdo himself one more time…įorgotten favorites: “U-Turn,” “Can U Help Me,” “If I Want To”Įdd said: I’m willing to bet that 90% of the readers who clicked this post predicted that this album would take the top spot. Their chemistry created 8701, one of most rich R&B experiences of the new millennium.

Usher’s third album was that moment – producers Jermaine Dupri, B-Cox and The Neptunes were at their creative peaks while Usher was hitting his stride as a vocalist. Soul In Stereo rating: 4.5 stars out of 5Įdd said: Sometimes, the stars align at just the right time, and just the right place, for magic to happen. Yeah, the album is a little TOO ballad-heavy at times, but the set still stands strong today.įorgotten favorites: “Just Like Me,” “Bedtime,” “Slow Jam”

With just 10 tracks (one of which is nothing more than a glorified remix), Usher cemented himself as R&B’s next big thing, thanks to unforgettable ballads, pristine vocals and tons of star power. How can they just leapfrog Usher’s true debut, a very promising blend of midtempo R&B cuts and hip-hop soul? This album may not have had the platinum-plated success of its successors but it was a harbinger of things to come.įorgotten favorites: “Think of You,” “The Many Ways,” “Crazy”Įdd said: Usher showed boundless promise on his previous album, but this is the release that birthed a star. Easily his most underrated release.įorgotten favorites: “What Happened to U,” “Lemme See,” “Sins of My Father” 4. Usher (1994)Įdd said: I always have to shake my head when uniformed R&B fans claim that Usher debuted in 1997 with his hit single “U Make Me Wanna.” Trust me, it happens much more than it should. No, this wasn’t the sequel to Confessions listeners have clamored for for more than a decade (newsflash – that “sequel” ain’t happening) but the album’s creativity makes it a breath of fresh air in Usher’s discography. Look past a few screechy pop numbers and you’ll find lots of creative production and solid writing. Far from it – Usher pushed the boundaries of his sound on Looking 4 Myself, creating his most diverse release yet. And while Usher’s foray into pop wasn’t what a lot of fans wanted, that doesn’t mean this was a poor album. Soul In Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5 ( read our review here)Įdd said: Boy, this album took a BEATING from R&B fans back in 2012. Some fans may have been turned off by Usher’s more mature sound but we were treated to more than a few stellar ballads and tender songwriting. A few weak album cuts made the set a bit uneven, but Usher’s heart was in the right place.įorgotten favorites: “Before I Met You,” “Appetite,” “Love In This Club II” Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael-Cox, Danja, Polow da Don – the all-star roster of writers and producers provide a strong backdrop for Ursher’s trademark vocals.įorgotten favorites: “More,” “Foolin’ Around,” “Mars vs Venus”Įdd said: Remember that time Usher went all adult contemporary on us? A new marriage brought new maturity to Usher’s music, resulting in an album that reflected his ascent into manhood. While the singles far outshine the album cuts, there’s still enough material to keep the release afloat. Soul In Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5Įdd said: While this album was seen as somewhat of a creative disappointment at the time, it’s far from a bad release.

Look, I’ve spent six months ranting about my many, many issues with this album – read my review here if you want the gory details. I’ve said enough.ĭon’t worry, it gets much better from here.įorgotten favorites: Just go to the next post, playa. Soul In Stereo rating: 2.5 stars out of 5Įdd said: Yeah.

The list will only include solo studio albums, excluding live sets, compilations and deluxe editions. Let’s look back at the albums that made him a star, ranking them from bottom to top. 1 albums (including the elusive diamond certification for his 2004 release) and has sold upwards of 75 million records worldwide. In a little over two decades, Usher has scored nine No.

Who would have predicted that the random kid on track 11 of 1993’s Poetic Justice soundtrack would become one of the most enduring voices of modern R&B?

Usher albums in order