Usher obtained an honorary Physician of Music diploma at Berklee Faculty of Music‘s 2023 graduation ceremony. It was held Saturday (Could 13) on the Agganis Enviornment in Boston, Massachusetts.
Berklee Provost and Govt Vice President for Educational Affairs David Bogen introduced Usher with the honorary doctorate. The R&B megastar was awarded with the diploma for his invaluable contributions to the worlds of music and philanthropy.
“My objective as an artist has at all times been to encourage individuals to make a constructive affect by way of my music, to make you’re feeling one thing, and final night time I felt proud…of the legacy that has been constructed and that we’re constructing collectively as artists,” Usher mentioned throughout his graduation speech.
He additionally urged the graduating class to “hold operating previous that end line [of your goals], break the obstacles, determine that spark in you that motivates you to maintain going, and don’t anticipate all the pieces to be excellent and run easily. …Take what you’ve realized right here [at Berklee], go into the world, and make nice issues.”
Amongst Usher’s company within the viewers have been his mom Jonetta Patton, his sons, his associate Jennifer Goicoechea, and his longtime collaborators Jermaine Dupri and Rico Love.
Following graduation, Usher went to Instagram to precise his gratitude. “They name me D-o-c-t-o-r R-a-y-m-o-n-d. Thanks @berkleecollege for honoring me and presenting me with a Physician of Music diploma,” he wrote. “I’m so grateful for this chance to share a message to the following technology of artists, producers, vocalists, arrangers, dancers and extra. Be courageous and I hope your spark by no means goes away.”
Saturday wasn’t simply graduation day but additionally the fifteenth anniversary of his fifth album, Right here I Stand. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It included his hit single “Love In This Membership,” that includes Younger Jeezy, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100 chart.
In a current interview with Rated R&B, the tune’s producer Polow Da Don revealed the inspiration behind its creation. “I envisioned individuals dancing to a gradual tune. I used to be like, ‘How can I make individuals dance to a gradual tune however not lose the power?’ I took EDM, that was on the rise and going loopy in the mean time, and took a down-south Atlanta bass music method and put the 2 collectively. It labored completely,” mentioned Polow Da Don.
Circling again to Usher, his newest single “GLU” lately entered the highest 10 on Billboard’s Grownup R&B Airplay chart, marking his thirteenth prime 10 hit on this listing. “GLU” was co-produced by Sean Garrett, Lil Jon, and The Avila Brothers.
Launched on March 17 by way of Gamma, “GLU” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard R&B Digital Track Gross sales chart.
Revisit Dr. Usher Raymond’s album Right here I Stand under.
