Where most artists are expected to slump, Usher Raymond’s sophomore effort transformed him into a star.
“My Way” was his second single off the album with the same name, and quite possibly singularly responsible for launching a whole genre of urban romantic dance battle movies that endure to this day. Usher’s subsequent videos almost never again featured a dance crew throughout, surely an intentional decision that kept him poised as a trend-starter.
When dubbed the “next Michael Jackson,” Usher absolutely backed that comparison in “My Way” and its abandoned structure gang dance battle premise. But in place of donning his red leather jacket to save the day, Usher actively leads one gang, all the while dressed like a funhouse Alex DeLarge from “A Clockwork Orange.” Not to worry. The only ultra-violence here is how Usher slays model-actor Tyrese on the dance floor. In his streetwear Canadian tuxedo, Tyrese plays the obvious traditionalist shocked by this man’s slick sound and unpredictable moves. So basically, all of us.
That includes the music industry, too. Y’all, if I listed everything that Usher’s won, we’d be here all night, but let me put it to you this way. Usher is the 10th most award-winning artist of all time with his 8 Grammys, 34 ASCAPs, 18 Billboards, 9 Soul Trains, and 8 AMAs. That’s not even touching the MTVs, BETs, and VH1s. These days, Usher still makes countless TV & movie appearances, works as a philanthropist donating millions to oppressed communities, and even served as a Presidential delegate to Cuba. Just out here bringing the rest of us to shame, proving that even 22 years later, the whole world still likes it his way.
𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘:
“What, you think you a baller?
And I ain’t gon’ call her, clip that”