Usher

 Usher Raymond IV was born in Dallas, Texas, to Jonetta Patton (nee O'Neal) and Usher Raymond III. He began singing when he was six years old, and joined the church choir of his local congregation at the behest of his mother who acted as choir director. Jonetta is a single mother was the one who raised Usher as well as his younger brother, James, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before moving the family to Atlanta, Georgia, when Usher was 12 years old. According to Usher, she is his closest friend, Usher's mother continues to guide the teen singer's career by being his manager, a duty she assumed when she quit her full-time office job a few years back. When he moved to Atlanta, Usher began participating in various local talent shows. It was at one such event, held in 1992 that he was noticed by Bryant Reid, brother of L.A. Reid, the famed R&B producer and co-president (with "Kenneth Babyface" Edmonds') of LaFace Records. Bryant set up Usher's audition to be conducted for his brother. The famous producer was impressed by Usher's talent and signed him to a contract. Usher released and recorded his debut album on LaFace in 1994. The record, which was co-executive-produced by Reid and Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs, generated the minor hit "Think of You". Usher was only 14 when he worked on the record, and his puberty was somewhat of an impediment in the production process. The producers hired numerous vocal coaches to aid Usher in the process of completing the album. Their efforts were not wasted, as the album showcased Usher's youthful energy and his natural singing prowess as well as the attention of many fans. After graduating from high school, Usher went to the studio to make his next album.