The King of Pop throne has been vacant ever since the unexpected and abrupt departure of Michael Jackson. Some are beginning to call Usher the heir apparent, but many remain sceptical that there could ever be a true successor to that crown. As for the title King of R&B, however, few would argue it belongs to anyone but Usher.
Usher Raymond IV, known simply as Usher, released his sixth studio album, Raymond v Raymond, in March, when it debuted at No 1 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
The artists says this album is a personal and self-reflective examination of his many faces.
'There are three sides to every story. There's one side, there's the other and there's the truth. This album tells you every perspective of Usher,' he said in May. 'Many people have known me for many years as just Usher, but they never got to know Raymond. So now you know Usher and Raymond - and both sides of who he is.'
In the three years since his last album, Usher has evolved personally and musically. He's developed a higher level of maturity and a better understanding of himself as an artist and a person.
'Musically, from Here I Stand to Raymond v Raymond, I was able to hone in on two incredible things about my personality,' says the 31-year-old, five-time Grammy-winner. 'One being I'm very honest, and the other being I'm very open and vulnerable at the same time.'
