Usher’s smooth moves on full display as he kicks off O2 residency

First announced during his Super Bowl half-time performance last year, Usher’s much anticipated ten day residency at London’s O2 has finally kicked off – and after a ten year performing hiatus, no less.

Otherwise known as the King of R&B, Usher glided onto the contemporary music scene with a baby face and a self-titled album at the age of 15. Four years later, his second album “My Way” leaped the Billboard 100 charts to secure first and second place on the singles chart for “Nice & Slow” and “You Make Me Wanna…”.

Over the course of his career, the singer made a name for himself not only for his own music, but also for co-managing the career of Y2K teen heartthrob Justin Bieber with Scooter Braun. His talent lies not only in his showmanship (his O2 residency features numerous costume changes, a 15-minute roller skating segment, and a bit of cherry-popping crowd work) but in developing and curating a musical sound that’s lasted for generations, and successfully kept up with the times.

His latest set even incorporates the use of AI into the jumbo screens, and was used to help tell the story of Usher Raymond IV’s career journey, from homegrown Texas teen to pop phenomenon.

And last night, the eight-time Grammy winner delivered a two-hour, Union Jack-clad, sweat- dripping performance to a sold out stadium that was nothing short of his star-spangled legacy.

Photographed by Ravi Sidhu, the pictures bring to life the smooth moves and craftsmanship required to land a double digits residency at the O2.