Título: Usher (musician)
Seção: 1997-2003: My Way and 8701
Background: Usher was born in Dallas, Texas, the son of Jonetta Patton (nee O'Neal), from Tennessee, and Usher Raymond III. Usher spent the majority of his young life in Chattanooga: his father left the family when Usher was a year old. Usher grew up with his mother, then-stepfather, and half-brother, James Lackey (born 1984). Directed by his mother, Usher joined the local church youth choir in Chattanooga, when he was nine years old.

Conteúdo: Usher developed a friendship with American record producer, Jermaine Dupri, with whom he co-wrote and produced several tracks for his second album, My Way, released on September 16, 1997. The album's lead single, "You Make Me Wanna...", reached number one in the United Kingdom, becoming Usher's first record to be top single; the record led to his popularity reaching in the country. It also became Usher's first gold- and platinum-certified single in the United States. The album's second single, "Nice & Slow", peaked in January 1998 at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Usher his first US number-one single. In February of the same year, the single was certified platinum by the RIAA. My Way has been certified six-time platinum in the United States.  "You Make Me Wanna..." won the Best Male R&B/Soul Single at the 1999 Soul Train Music Awards. In the closing months of 1997, Usher embarked on a series of tour engagements including a spot on Puffy's No Way Out tour, dates with Mary J. Blige, and the opening spot on Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope Tour. Usher's first concert album, Live, was released in 1999, which featured appearances by Lil' Kim, Jagged Edge, Trey Lorenz, Shanice, Twista and Manuel Seal; the album has been certified gold in the United States.  Usher made his acting debut on the UPN television series Moesha, which resulted in a recurring role on the series and subsequently his first film role in 1998's The Faculty. Usher's extracurricular activities outside

user: What awards did he win from 1997 to 2003?

assistant: You Make Me Wanna..." won the Best Male R&B/Soul Single at the 1999 Soul Train

user: What other albums or songs did he come up with?

assistant: My Way, released on September 16, 1997.

user: How well was My Way received?

assistant: first record to be top single; the record led to his popularity reaching in the country. It also became Usher's first gold- and platinum-certified single in the United States.

user: What was the next record to reach top single or gold and platinum certified single?

assistant: "Nice & Slow", peaked in January 1998 at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Usher his first US number-one single.

user: Did he continue to rise after 1998?

assistant: Usher's third studio album, originally titled All About U, was slated to be released in early 2001.

user: What did he accomplish after the release of his third studio album?

assistant: In February 2002, Usher won a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "U Remind Me".

user: Did he win any acting awards?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER

user: What other awards did he get for his music?

assistant: My Way has been certified six-time platinum in the United States.

user: Was this the highest award achieved for his music?

assistant: he won the same award for "U Don't Have to Call", making Usher the only artist aside from Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder to win this award consecutively.