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Home • 2015 Essence Festival

Everybody Loves Usher! 7 Reasons Why We Can't Get Enough of Our ESSENCE Fest Alum

It's hard not to love Usher, which is why we chose him to headline #ESSENCEFest 2015.  His smooth vocals and powerful dance moves have been known to make women faint, so we definitely had more than enough towels for when things got hot down in New Orleans last July.To expand on why we absolutely adore Usher Raymond, we created a gallery of the top seven things that have made ESSENCE readers support him for over 20 years.What is your favorite thing about Usher?  Let us know on Twitter, @EssenceFest.
By Gia Peppers · Updated October 27, 2020
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
01
Usher’s Longevity

Usher’s first video, “Call Me a Mack” came out in 1993 as a lead track for Poetic Justice. Over 20 years later, he’s still charting for R&B and pop hits.

Everybody Loves Usher! 7 Reasons Why We Can't Get Enough of Our ESSENCE Fest Alum
Screenshot, VEVO Usher
02
Usher Has the Most Adorable Sons!

Usher and his ex-wife Tameka Raymond sure made some adorable little boys. Naviyd and Usher V are the spitting image of their handsome dad.

Everybody Loves Usher! 7 Reasons Why We Can't Get Enough of Our ESSENCE Fest Alum
Instagram.com/HowUseeIt
03
Usher Can Still Out-Dance Your Fave

Usher keeps his stage persona fresh by learning and perfecting the latest dance moves.  At the age of 36, he still has the same “It” factor that drew us to him in the early 90s.

Everybody Loves Usher! 7 Reasons Why We Can't Get Enough of Our ESSENCE Fest Alum
Getty Images/ Larry Marano
04
‘Confessions’

Usher made Confessions and it’s arguably his best work yet. Tell us you don’t feel immediate pain when he sings, “Every time I was in LA…” in the beginning of the title single.  

Everybody Loves Usher! 7 Reasons Why We Can't Get Enough of Our ESSENCE Fest Alum
Amazon.com
05
Usher Loves to Fall in Love

Though things did not work out with his former wife Tameka Raymond, Usher seems to be a hopeless romantic. After breaking up with Chili, he publicly dated a few women and is currently engaged to his fianceé Grace Miguel.

Everybody Loves Usher! 7 Reasons Why We Can't Get Enough of Our ESSENCE Fest Alum
Getty Images/ Jonathan Leibson
06
Usher LOVES his Mama

Usher and his mother Jonetta Patton had a close working relationship, as she managed her son to stardom during the peak of his career. Now, the two are keeping things all about family and they seem to be closer than ever.

Everybody Loves Usher! 7 Reasons Why We Can't Get Enough of Our ESSENCE Fest Alum
Moses Robinson/Getty Images
07
Usher Can Cook and He Does So While Showing Off His Abs

Who doesn’t love a man who can cook and looks good doing it?  Usher, we love you and your eggs (and your abs).

Everybody Loves Usher! 7 Reasons Why We Can't Get Enough of Our ESSENCE Fest Alum
Instagram.com/HowUseeIt