November 7, 2008 The decade’s highest certified album by a male solo artist – Usher’s Confessions – reaches 10x multi-Platinum

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members are the music labels that comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legitimate recorded music produced and sold in the United States.

In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels; conduct consumer, industry and technical research; and monitor and review state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA® also certifies Gold®, Platinum®, Multi-Platinum™ and Diamond sales awards as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino™, an award celebrating Latin music sales.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5

Artists Of The Decade

#2 – Usher

The Top Artists of the Decade ranking is based on artist’s chart performance on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart and Billboard 200 albums.

For much of the 2000s, Usher Raymond IV was the unstoppable force in popular music. He scored a whopping eight No. 1s on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart (more than any other artist this decade), plus his 2004 album “Confessions” sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. And the man with the golden pipes and fancy footwork shows no signs of slowing down. “There are tons of artists I want to work with,” Usher told Billboard last year. “I’m interested in working with artists who are out of the range I’m accustomed to. I want to try new things.”

%CODE1%

Hot 100 Songs

#2 – Usher – “Yeah”

The most popular songs of the decade (2000-09) across all genres, ranked by radio airplay audience impressions as measured by Nielsen BDS, sales data as compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and streaming activity data provided by online music sources.

%CODE2%

Hot 100 Artists

#1 - Usher

Billboard 200 Albums

#2 – Usher – “Confessions”

The top-selling albums of the decade (2000-09) across all genres, ranked by sales data as compiled by Nielsen SoundScan.

Source: Billboard.com (Best of 2000s)

Vote For Usher In The Sidebar!!!

CGG (Celebs Gone Good) hung out with Usher on the red carpet at last night’s Do Something awards where he showed up to support his generation S: generation of service-minded leaders! After joking around with Akon and MTV’s Sway, he told us all about how he felt about winning the first ever CGG award as Civic Leader of the Year.

“To be recognized as an artist for what you do you know is major, don’t get me wrong,” says the suave singer, “But to be here with my alumni, you know it’s really a treat for all of us. This is a story in the making that’s all about making a difference in America through service with teens. And to do service in a positive way.”

The ‘alumni’ are graduates of his Camp New Look alumni who posed with their mentor and got to present his award later on during the show. Usher explained to us that Camp New Look helps at-risk young people through education and skill building: “I give them an open eye to other alternatives.”

The two protégées told us about their annual New Look service project. Last year they did the “I Can’t But You Can” campaign where each of them registered 3,500 plus young people to vote in New Orleans. They echoed finalist David Burstein’s call to vote for his innovative 18 in ’08 campaign.

Usher encouraged the finalists to keep working it out for their cause: “Young people should be active because they can truly make a difference between service and understanding…We are powered by service. Service makes the difference!”

What do you think about Camp Usher and all of his philanthropic efforts? Do you want to DO Usher’s SOMETHING? You can! He is all about education, so this summer you can dive right in by contributing to Do Something 101 and collect school supplies for children in need!

Usher’s Dosomething.org PSA

Video 

Source: Dosomething.org

To view the article click here.

To learn more about the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta and its board of trustees click here.

Source: Alanta Business Chronicle

Click here.

This year Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) inducted its 2009 Alumni Hall of Fame members, former Club members who have gone on to make major contributions to their respective fields and to their communities.

Ashanti Douglas, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin and Usher Raymond IV were among the inductees. Coach Tomlin was represented by his mother.

Actor Courtney B. Vance and former inductee, was host of this year’s ceremony.

Source: Entertainmentrundown.com

“The Georgia Center for Nonprofits is proud to announce that Ingrid Saunders Jones and Usher Raymond IV will be recipients of the annual Revolutions Philanthropic Awards. Taking place on May 12, 2009 at America’s Mart in Atlanta, Ga., the Revolutions awards ceremony will recognize both humanitarians for their tireless efforts to improve communities across the globe.”

Usher will receive the 2009 Emerging Philanthropist Award for his commitment to mentoring disadvantaged youth. To view the entire press release click here.