Usher
Usher in 2014, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Usher Raymond IV
Place of Birth: Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Date of Birth: October 14, 1978
Ethnicity: African-American
Usher, also known as Usher Raymond, is an American R&B recording artist, songwriter, actor, businessperson, and dancer. His songs include “Call Me a Mack,” “Can U Get wit It,” “Think of You,” “The Many Ways,” “You Make Me Wanna…,” “Nice & Slow,” “My Way,” “U Remind Me,” “U Got It Bad,” “Yeah!,” “Burn,” “Confessions Part II,” “My Boo,” “Caught Up,” “Love in This Club,” “Here I Stand,” “OMG,” “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love,” “More,” “Climax,” “Scream,” “Numb,” and “No Limit.” His album Confessions (2004) is the best-selling album by a black artist in the 21st century. His acting roles include the films The Faculty, She’s All That, Light It Up, Texas Rangers, In the Mix, Killers (2010), Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, Scary Movie 5, Justin Bieber’s Believe, Muppets Most Wanted, Hands of Stone, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, Burden (2018), Hustlers (2019), and Bad Hair; the shows Moesha and The Bold and the Beautiful; and the made-for-tv movie Geppetto (2000). He has co-founded record label Raymond-Braun Media Group (RBMG), and been a coach on The Voice. He has also been a member of R&B group NuBeginning, and musical collective Ocean’s 7. Jermaine Dupri, Nelly, and Trey Songz have also been members of Ocean’s 7.
Usher is the son of Jonetta Patton (O’Neal) and Usher Raymond III. He was raised mostly in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Usher is married to music executive Jenn Goicoechea. He has two children with his former wife, stylist Tameka Foster; and two children with Jenn. Some web sites state that Usher’s father had Haitian ancestry. This does not appear to be accurate.
Usher’s paternal grandfather was Usher Raymond, Jr. (the son of Usher Raymond and Emma L. Allen). Usher’s grandfather Usher was born in Tennessee. Emma was the daughter of Henry Allen and Lula Jones.
Usher’s paternal grandmother is Evangelist Ernestine Berry (the daughter of Milton Austin Berry and Etta Ruth Russ). Ernestine was born in Tennessee. Milton was the son of Charlie Edward Berry and Viola or Eugene Austin. Etta was the daughter of William/Will Starlin Russ and Luvenia Williams.
Usher’s maternal grandfather was John Henry O’Neal (the son of William Ross O’Neal and Oda Smith). John was born in Georgia. William was the son of Newton O’Neal and Mary Kendall. Oda was the daughter of Stephen Smith and Sallie/Sadie Bankston.
Usher’s maternal grandmother was named Christine Gwyn (the daughter of Dorthy Gwyn). Christine was born in Oklahoma. Dorthy was the daughter of Dock Gwyn and Augusta Webb.
Sources: Obituary of Usher’s father – http://www.chattanoogan.com
Obituary of Usher’s paternal great-grandmother, Etta Ruth (Russ) Berry – http://www.tfponline.com
Usher’s maternal grandfather was named John Henry O’Neal (the son of William Ross O’Neal and Oda Smith). John was born in Georgia. William was the son of Newton O’Neal and Mary Kendall.
Usher’s maternal grandmother was Christine Gwyn (the daughter of Fred Gwyn and Dorthy Owens). Christine was born in Oklahoma.
Oops, looks like there’s a mistake in Christine’s SSI application. Her mother is named Dorthy Gwyn, her husband’s name is Owens. Dorthy was the daughter of Dock Gwyn and Augusta Webb. I’m not sure who her father was. Maybe he really was named Fred, who knows.
Curious Welsh surnames on her maternal grandmother’s family.
His parents are Jonetta Patton (O’Neal) and Usher Terry Raymond III.
“His mother is of African-American heritage while his father claims both African-American and Haitian heritage. Although his father left the family when Usher was very young, he identifies with both his mother’s African-American heritage and his father’s Haitian-creole heritage.”
http://www.kreolmagazine.com/arts-culture/spotlight/usher-an-american-superstar-with-haitian-roots/
I think the Haitian thing is fiction. Has Usher ever said so himself?
True enough, I haven’t heard him say it either. However Haitians have been mixing up in African American bloodlines for centuries now. Just putting that in there
It may be fiction. I cannot find any sources that seem legitimate. His father died in 2008 and that is where his Haitian ancestry allegedly comes from. Here’s his obituary: http://www.chattanoogan.com/2008/1/19/120383/Raymond-Usher-Urkie-III.aspx
*facepalm*