Similar to his predecessors, Usher’s visual discography is just as layered and expansive as his musical one. To celebrate his legacy, VIBE combed through all 41 of his music videos (excluding ones where he’s a featured guest) and chose his best 10.
We know how much of an uproar lists can be, so we’re prefacing this with a few honorable mentions. His three-video trifecta—”Think Of You,” “Call Me A Mack,” and “Can U Get Wit It”—from his self-titled debut were classic tropes from that era. But to see the stark differences between these videos and the ones from his My Way era (which, spoiler alert, all made our top 10), it’s clear why his sophomore album was pegged as his true debut.
Then there’s the downright eroticism that permeated through “Trading Places” and the visual declaration of love in “There Goes My Baby.” Usher trying to make his own dance challenge with “U-Turn” was unexpected but fitting as a successor of Bobby Brown and Michael Jackson. A few forgotten videos like 2001’s “Pop Ya Collar” were also considered (fun fact: he told VIBE that the song is an overseas hit).
And though certain songs like ”Throwback,” “Lovers & Friends,” “Slow Jam,” and “Bad Girl” never got the visual treatment they deserved, the records that did make the cut deserve their flowers for their cinematic beauty and iconic stamp in Usher’s discography.
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"Dive"
This video co-stars model Chanel Iman and serves as a representation of falling in love. It’s soft, sexy, and sweet. Warm hues glisten off of water as Usher and Chanel’s tender intimacy bring the song to life. Water itself can either be terrifying a la Titanic, or a symbol of rejuvenation and purity. With this, diving in doesn’t seem so bad. -
"My Boo"
Many give this Alicia Keys duet a lot of flack, but this video is undoubtedly special. It opens with a teaser for the “Bad Girl” music video that fans still want today. It also portrayed the Hell’s Kitchen native in a newly-feminine light. Fans had already witnessed AK rock straight hair and a dress, but the singer walking the streets of Times Square in a trench coat and pink lace lingerie was different. Of all his Confessions collaborations, we’re glad the powers that be saw fit to release this video. -
"U Don't Have To Call"
During the Usher-Chilli breakup era, we received one of the best pre-game, get-yourself-together anthems of all time. In the visuals, Diddy is the one urging Ursher to get out of his rut and back in the game. As the singer dances like James Brown, half-naked in a bathrobe across his apartment floor and gets ready for a night out, this Director X-led video is signature early 2000s. Plus, if there’s one thing Usher is gonna do, it’s give us a dance break. -
"Don't Waste My Time"
It’s the elevated house party in this Lesean Harris-directed video for us. The cameos are distinct and range from Snoop Dogg and Evan Ross to Justin and Christian Combs. Overall, the visual invites the current generation of R&B fans to party with Usher. Unlike some of his more recent videos, this one just exudes a damn good time. -
"U Remind Me"
Let’s start with the obvious: who follows a random woman around, just to tell her that she reminds them of another woman?! This toxic anthem was a hit, but this chaotic video is what makes it one of Usher’s best. At one point, the singer humped a tree, and at another he delivered an acapella dance number on a wet street. (That iconic headstand?!) Also, shoutout to the sweet Chilli cameo at the end. -
"You Make Me Wanna"
This video and song are emblematic of the Usher we fell in love with. His various looks—the open striped shirt with the stocking cap and his silky orange top with the slacks—really stole the show this time around. The Bille Woodruff-directed video features Usher literally dancing out of his shoes, but that five-chair intro of cloned Ushers makes fans lose it every time. This was an era-defining video, but not thee era-defining video. -
"Climax"
If you’re wondering why “Climax” beat out other videos on this list, the answer is simple: it’s a captivating visual story. A novice might assume the song was about sex, but it’s actually about the complicated turning point of a relationship. The mini-movie finds the crooner struggling internally for a solution to help the woman he loves, and even after four minutes, it’s still unclear about which route he chooses. But who doesn’t love a good cliffhanger? -
"My Way"
Inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange and co-starring Tyrese, the “My Way” video is a delightful watch. Directed by Paul Hunter, Usher and Tyrese face off in a dance battle/fight for the attention of a woman. Though it’s no secret who wins, both stars were at the top of their game at this moment. That alone makes it a Top 3 contender. -
"U Got It Bad"
There are two key elements that make this one of the best R&B videos of all time—begging in the rain and a historic moment in pop culture. Not only is this one of Usher’s best ballads, but it was also filmed at the beginning of Usher and Chilli’s two-year romance. As one of R&B’s most publicized couples, the contrast in this video—their appearing as exes—made us love them even more. Yes, the second-best video of Usher’s career finds him swinging on a street pole during a torrential downpour. -
"Nice & Slow"
None of the others can compare to the gift fans received with the “Nice & Slow” video. Kimora Lee Simmons stars as Usher’s love interest at her peak, and the two are blissfully smitten in the streets of Paris. She’s then kidnapped and her now-battered lover must rescue her. The visual is action-packed—a juxtaposition from the song’s sensuality. Overall, this specific moment in musical time is one that deserves to be talked about far more; Hype Williams gave us a video we never knew we needed.