LAFACE RECORDS
Twenty years have passed since Usher's groundbreaking album "Confessions" took the music world by storm, setting new records and earning the title of the best-selling album by a Black artist in the 21st century.
Released on March 23, 2004, "Confessions" was Usher's fourth studio album and represented a turning point in his career. It was born from Usher's wish for his audience to understand him on a more personal level. He opened up about his life, sharing, "All of us have our Pandora’s boxes or skeletons in our closets. I let a few of them out, you know. I’ve got a lot to say."
However, it's noteworthy that not every story told through the album mirrored Usher's own experiences. While the hit "Burn" reflected on his real-life relationship with TLC's Chilli, the narrative of "Confessions Pt. II" was actually inspired by an event in the life of producer Jermaine Dupri.
Upon its release, "Confessions" shattered expectations by selling over 1.1 million copies in just the first week, eventually becoming the top-selling album of 2004. To date, it boasts over 15 million copies sold worldwide.
The album made its debut at #1, marking Usher's first venture atop the charts. It spawned several #1 hits including “Yeah!,” “Burn,” “Confessions Pt. II,” and “My Boo,” alongside the top 10 single “Caught Up.”
In 2020, Billboard hailed "Confessions" as a foundational work that influenced a generation of artists, including Drake, Miguel, Chris Brown, and Omarion, who have all acknowledged Usher's impact on their music.
"Confessions" catapulted Usher into global stardom, rewarding him with three Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, and eleven Billboard Music Awards, solidifying its place in music history as a seminal work that transcends time and genre.
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