Usher Stands Tall

LaFace/Zomba recording artist Usher debuts at No. 1 on SoundScan's Pop and R&B Albums charts with his fifth studio album, Here I Stand. This is the highest debut of the year for a male artist.

Here I Stand is the Atlanta-based singer's second No. 1 debut on the Top 200 Albums chart and his third No. 1 debut on the R&B Albums chart. This week Usher dominates international charts as well, bowing at No. 1 in Canada, Japan (International Chart), Australia, and for the third time in a row, debuts at No. 1 on the UK Albums chart. Additionally, Here I Stand enters Top 5 on album charts in Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

Fans and critics have praised the singer/songwriter's newest effort: The New York Times declares, "Usher knows what works in the suave come-ons that have made him the male R&B sex symbol for a generation;" Entertainment Weekly raves, " ... Stand's tunes deserve a place in the dance-floor pantheon;" The Los Angeles Times observes, " ... [Here I Stand] a more accomplished version of 'Confessions,' the hooks more effortless, the singing even better, the songwriting more consistent."

Usher's latest certified hit, "Love In This Club" featuring Young Jeezy, has remained a Top 10 staple on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart for 14 consecutive weeks and has sold close to 3 million digital units (digital singles, ringtones and ringbacks) to date. The poignant follow-up single, "Moving Mountains" is rapidly climbing the singles charts and the riveting video, filled with breath-taking special effects, recently debuted on MTV and BET.

Usher Raymond IV started his multi-faceted career at the age of 15 years old, and over the span of his 14-year career, the five-time Grammy winning singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, and entrepreneur has sold 26 million albums worldwide.

SOURCE: LaFace/Zomba Label Group

CONTACT: Patti Webster of W&W PR, +1-732-469-5955, patti@w-wpr.com; or
Wendy Washington of LaFace-Zomba Label Group, +1-212-833-6886,
Wendy.Washington@sonybmg.com