Photo credit: Usher
Usher has made his position clear.
The R&B superstar recently crowned himself the “King of R&B” while performing on tour. The moment quickly sparked a familiar debate among music fans.
Rap-Up shared the moment on Instagram, asking followers whether Usher should take the crown.
For one of R&B’s biggest stars, however, there appears to be no debate.
Usher makes his R&B claim
Usher has spent decades building his reputation as one of the most successful R&B performers of his generation.
The singer broke through as a teenager before becoming a major force in contemporary R&B. His catalog includes hits such as “You Make Me Wanna…,” “Nice & Slow,” “U Got It Bad” and “Yeah!”
His 2004 album Confessions became a defining project of his career. It produced several major hits and helped establish Usher as one of the leading male voices in 2000s R&B.
Now, years into his career, Usher is making his claim to the genre’s throne himself.
Fans are debating the R&B crown
The “King of R&B” title has been debated for years.
Artists including R. Kelly, Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Usher have all been mentioned in conversations about the unofficial title. However, there is no official organization that awards a permanent King of R&B crown.
That leaves the debate largely to music fans.
Usher’s latest comment has therefore reopened the conversation. Some fans may point to his awards, album sales and longevity. Others may consider vocal ability, influence, songwriting or cultural impact.
The criteria can change depending on who is making the argument.
Usher has a long R&B résumé
There is plenty in Usher’s career for fans to consider.
He has released multiple successful albums and earned numerous major music awards. His performances have also helped make him one of the most recognizable entertainers in R&B and pop.
Beyond recorded music, Usher has maintained a major presence onstage.
His Las Vegas residency introduced a new generation of fans to his catalog while giving longtime listeners an opportunity to experience his biggest songs live.
He also headlined the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show in 2024, further expanding his reach beyond R&B.
The debate is far from over
Usher calling himself the King of R&B does not settle the long-running discussion.
Instead, it gives fans another reason to argue their cases.
For some listeners, Usher’s combination of longevity, hit records and performance history makes his claim easy to understand. Others may have a different artist at the top of their personal list.
Ultimately, the title remains unofficial.
But Usher appears comfortable making his own case.
As the R&B icon continues his tour, fans now have a familiar question to answer: Does Usher deserve the King of R&B crown?
Source: Rap-Up Instagram post, September 2026.
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