By Quintessa Williams
Music superstar Usher does it for the ‘A’ everywhere he goes. His outpouring love and adoration for the city remains to this day. It’s that kind of love and support that Atlanta is willing to proudly give back. On Wednesday, Clark Atlanta University hosted a #ComingHomeRally for the musical legend he is.
Hundreds of Atlanta University Center students packed to hear the eight-time Grammy Award winner speak at Clark Atlanta’s Cornelius L. Henderson Student Center. “I’m hoping hope the rest of the world feels the love that comes from this city,” Usher said.
“Atlanta is a city of belief, Atlanta is a city that allowed me to be that phoenix to rise when I may have had perceived hard time. It is a city that has allowed me to have the tenacity to inform who I am as an entertainer.”
Hosted by CAU and Amazon, the rally was held in honor of Usher’s iconic Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance and his ninth studio album “Coming Home.” The Multi Grammy Award-Winning performer, whose recent Super Bowl halftime show drew 129.3 million viewers, returned to his Atlanta roots to receive a myriad of awards. Honors included a ‘Usher Raymond appreciation day’ proclamation from Fulton County Commissioner Natalie Hall as well as the coveted “Outstanding Georgia Citizen” award from Georgia State Senator Sonya Halpern. Other salutes came from former LaFace Records alumnus turned GA State Representative, Inga Willis and the GA Legislative Black Caucus.
In addition to sponsoring the event, Amazon awarded the “My Way” singer with $25,000 in honor of his Usher Nu Look Foundation 25th Anniversary. The non-profit organization transforms the lives of under-resourced youth through programming that develops global leaders from middle through college. President and CEO, Careshia Moore was in attendance and along with his Nu Look students.
Other notables included iconic music executive and co-founder of LaFace Records, L.A. Reid and record executive and producer Kawan ‘KP’ Prather.
Usher’s new album, Coming Home is available now along with tickets for his upcoming Past Present Future Tour.