Usher Receives Atlanta's Highest Award

One esteemed R&B artist received Atlanta's highest honor.

Usher Raymond finished out the Super Bowl Halftime Show last Sunday. He also finished out a Vegas residency and he and his girlfriend got married in Vegas.

This week, he flew back to Atlanta and attended a special ceremony where he earned the Phoenix Award, which is the city’s highest honor “that recognizes an individual or group for their outstanding service to the city,” according to WSB-TV.

“I’m hoping the rest of the world is feeling the love that has come from this city. Atlanta is a city of belief. Atlanta is a city that allowed me to be that Phoenix to rise. It is a city that has allowed me to have the tenacity to go out and share this culture that I found when I was here. The culture that informed who and what I am as an entertainment,” Usher said at the ceremony.

The ceremony was hosted by none other than Black Entertainment & Music outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Back in 2021, the Walk of Fame inducted Usher in its inaugural class. But Wednesday was the first time Usher had an opportunity to unveil his official spot.

In attendance were Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, media mogul L.A. Reid, and former Ambassador Andrew Young, among others were attendance.

The flawless singer and performer was raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before moving to Atlanta and graduating from North Springs High School. Dickens, in turn, recognized Usher’s Chattanooga roots, but he says ATL has adopted him as one of its ambassadors.

“The whole world got to see that Usher brought the world to the A,” Dickens said.

And Usher couldn’t agree more.

“I will always represent the A,” Usher said.

Usher is no stranger to earning awards either. According to hotnewhiphop, the prolific, soulful singer has taken home a total of eight Grammy awards and has two dozen nominations.

He won his first Grammy award back in 2001 thanks to U Remind Me, a song he earned a Recording Academy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

Greatness personified.