What’s in a name? Webster’s Dictionary defines usher as n. 1. one who conducts people to their seats, as in a theater or church. 2. an official who goes before persons of rank in a procession.-v. 1. to conduct: escort. 2. to precede as an usher or forerunner. 3. to begin or introduce.

On his fifth album, Confessions, Usher Raymond proves he’s R&B’s forerunner; a modern day musical innovator. His March 2004 release has already sold more than five million copies. As the album’s title indicates, this collection is Usher’s coming of age story. For the first time, he reveals intimate tales of heartache, betrayal, love, lust, vulnerability and good old fashioned fun; each time giving the listener an inside look at his dreams, aspirations and disappointments.

Atlantic recording artist Kevin Lyttle is proving anew one of music’s most important tenets: that just one person, with one daring idea, can convert an entire world full of listeners, fans, and musicians.

With its irrepressible beat, sweet melody, and a vocal performance that’s at once mellow, intense, and inviting, Kevin’s smash single, “Turn Me On” – recorded in a local studio on the island of St. Vincent – is the biggest soca hit to emerge from the Caribbean in 20 years. His eclectic and innovative fusion of music – traditional soca, American R&B, and Jamaican dancehall – set the entire West Indies on fire, and has boomed across dance floors worldwide in a phenomenal two-year run. For Kevin, 26, its massive and still-growing popularity has been a living lesson in music’s ability to unite and inspire.

Despite a public persona and lyrical content that makes many male deejays blush, this lady is anything but a tramp. Dubbed Lady Saw by local sound systems because her delivery was so similar to the famed Tenor Saw, Marion Hall has gone on to a level of international success experienced by few in the dancehall arena. With the exception of Shabba Ranks, Shaggy and Sean Paul, very few dancehall artists have reached Grammy status in the Reggae category. This alone makes Lady Saw’s Grammy winning collaboration with No Doubt a tremendous victory.

Dancehall is under heavy fire around the globe these days for use of anti-gay lyrics in what they are calling “murder music”. Bounty Killer was recently dropped from the Krakrock Festival in Belgium and gay activists are taking aim at the industry as a whole. Recently, Beenie Man and Capleton, were only allowed to perform at Brussel's Couleur Cafe Festival after they promised not to use homophobic lyrics. Both were threatened with arrest under Belgium's hate crime laws if they broke their word, according to a representative from the UK gay activist organization known as Outrage. FullStory