Usher Was On The Verge of Being Dropped By Laface Records Before The "My Way" Album

Before Usher became one of the most successful R&B artists of all time, his career was hanging by a thread. In the mid-1990s, long before sold-out arenas and diamond plaques, Usher was on the verge of being dropped by LaFace Records — a reality few fans would ever imagine today.

Usher released his self-titled debut album in 1994 at just 15 years old. Despite strong vocals and industry support, the album failed to make a major impact commercially. At the time, LaFace Records, led by L.A. Reid and Babyface, was under pressure to deliver hits, and Usher was still struggling to find a clear musical identity. Internally, the label questioned whether the young singer could truly break through in a competitive R&B landscape.

With his future uncertain, Usher was given what many consider a last chance to prove himself. That moment came when he connected with Jermaine Dupri, who would become a key architect of his sound and career. Dupri understood how to balance Usher’s vocal ability with a street-leaning, youthful edge that resonated with late-’90s audiences.

The result was My Way, released in 1997 — an album that changed everything.

Powered by hits like “You Make Me Wanna…,” “Nice & Slow,” and “My Way,” the project catapulted Usher into superstardom. The album went multi-platinum, dominated radio, and established Usher as the new face of male R&B. More importantly, it saved his career.

My Way didn’t just deliver hits; it defined an era. Usher’s confident persona, emotional vulnerability, and undeniable star power finally came together, proving LaFace’s doubts wrong and setting the stage for a legendary run that would include 8701, Confessions, and beyond.

Looking back, Usher’s near-drop from LaFace Records serves as a powerful reminder that timing, growth, and the right creative partnerships can change everything. What once looked like the end of the road became the starting point for one of the greatest careers in R&B history.