The Last Showman Audiobook By Usher, Gerrick Kennedy cover art

The Last Showman

Words + Music, Vol. 41

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The Last Showman

By: Usher, Gerrick Kennedy
Narrated by: Usher
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About this listen

For the past 30 years, Usher has exhilarated audiences with stadium-sized anthems, innovative choreography, and dazzling charm that has made him a once-in-a-generation superstar. The Last Showman is an introspective look into the past, present, and future of a beloved global R&B icon.

Usher opens up about the inspirations, heartache, and growth that fueled the creation of his record-breaking magnum opus, Confessions, while revisiting some of its most iconic tracks. Usher delves into the personal and professional struggles that shaped his life and his career and how one album changed everything for him—and pop music.

©2025 Usher (P)2025 Audible Originals LLC
Editors Select Music

About the Creator

Usher’s uncommon gifts as an artist and storyteller have inspired audiences around the world, revealed truths about the human condition, and made us all feel more alive. Three decades into his record-breaking, culture-shifting career, the multifaceted superstar continues to carve new pathways in music, fashion, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and live performance. Now, at the conclusion of a record-setting three-year run on the Las Vegas strip, the musician charts a new course with the release of his much-anticipated ninth album, his first as an independent artist.
Usher has sold more than 80 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling artists in music history. Since his self-titled debut in 1994, when he was just 15, the artist has been widely considered a standard bearer of R&B. His second LP, My Way, established the star as a bonafide hitmaker. Certified seven-times platinum in the United States, the album earned the artist the first of nine career number ones on the Billboard Hot 100. With his third LP, 8701 Usher won his first GRAMMY. His fourth album, Confessions, broke a record for first-week sales and topped the Billboard 200. Certified diamond in 2008, the landmark album is to date the last LP by a Black artist to reach that distinction. It also kicked off a stunning run of four consecutive number one albums. The eight-time GRAMMY winner has pioneered a musically nimble, shape-shifting approach to crafting songs, hopscotching between R&B and soul, dance, electronic, hip-hop, and more, transcending genre and blending them all into a sound that is uniquely his own.
The artist’s achievements outside of music have included critically lauded appearances on Broadway, primetime television shows like The Voice, and more than a dozen feature films, including the 2019 blockbuster Hustlers. This year marks Usher’s 25th anniversary as founding chairman of the New Look Foundation. The Atlanta-based 501 c(3) organization has encouraged more than 55,000 teens to “find their spark,” via programming in college readiness, financial literacy, and career planning. A caring mentor known for generosity with his time and advice, Usher has raised millions for various causes and received recognition for his work as a humanitarian and social activist from the Boys & Girls Club of America, the Trumpet Foundations, and Do Something. The NCAAP selected him as its 2010 Ford Freedom Award Scholar, and Morehouse College honored him with the prestigious 2014 Candle Award. In 2023, Usher was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music from Berklee College of Music, an honor shared with Duke Ellington and Roberta Flack.
In 2024, Usher's path-breaking continued. As headliner of Apple Music's halftime show for Super Bowl LVIII, in none other than Las Vegas, the artist delivered a thirteen-minute-long celebration of his effervescent, timeless sound. His first new full-length LP in eight years, and his ninth overall, Coming Home, was released. A thrilling meld of traditional R&B sounds and contemporary production, his first release as an independent artist was infused with the sophisticated bounce of Atlanta, Usher's hometown, as well as his trademark vulnerability, poignant storytelling, displaying an ever-deepening mastery of his craft.

About the Creator

Gerrick Kennedy is a journalist, essayist, cultural critic, writer and strategist based in Los Angeles. He is the founder of Nineteen Ninety Eight, an independent publishing house and creative consultancy. Kennedy is the author of Parental Discretion Is Advised: The Rise of N.W.A and the Dawn of Gangsta Rap, Didn’t We Almost Have It All: In Defense of Whitney Houston and a forthcoming book for Hanover Square Press. His writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, GQ, The Hollywood Reporter, Wall Street Journal Magazine, Men’s Health, Variety, NPR Music, Billboard, Spin, i-D, Playboy, Teen Vogue, Shondaland, Cultured Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.

Editorial Review

The legacy of a true showman
This is my confession: I am a huge Usher fan since my teenage years, and have long been anticipating his Words + Music. So, how lucky am I that I get to have an early listen? The Last Showman is an intimate and captivating narrative that pulls back the curtain on one of the most electrifying entertainers of our time, spanning three decades of global superstardom. Fans and listeners are treated to behind-the-scenes anecdotes, heartfelt reflections on his creative process, and candid revelations about the sacrifices and struggles that come with fame. I appreciated the nostalgia of listening to Usher’s biggest hits in combination with his magnetic storytelling and enduring charm. Whether you’re a longtime fan like myself or simply curious about the journey of an R&B icon, The Last Showman is a must-listen, offering a rare glimpse into the life and legacy of a singular talent. —Dawn G., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Last Showman

Highly rated for:

Vivid Storytelling Captivating Narration Rich Voice Tone Intimate Experience Insightful Reflections
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  • Overall
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I enjoyed taking this ride with Usher. I got lost in his voice and learned along the way. amazing.

I loved it all!! To hear the journey told by the artist about your favorite songs is awesome.

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The honesty of his journey.

I truly enjoyed the explanations about the songs, lyrics and their production. Learned some things I didn't know particularly his collaborations with other artists. Loved the words of wisdom: evolve or evaporate!

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Gripping!

Usher’s Audible experience places you directly in his living room, sitting beside him on the couch as he recounts stories from his life and personal experiences. From start to finish, you're drawn in by the rich tone of his voice, the vivid details of his tales, and the profound insights he shares. Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, he treats you to renditions of his most iconic songs. This is a triumph.

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It’s Usher Baby!!

First of all, take your speed back down to 1.0 and enjoy this up close and personal show!! The music, his (well earned) arrogant self, the story telling… just enjoy it!!!

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Usher's World

What a fantastic insight into Usher's thought process when creating music! Now, we can see why he has remained relevant throughout his career. Listening to him talk was soothing, and his singing of his music was an added bonus.

I recommend this audible!!

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A Forever Fan

Usher’s transparency was refreshing. To hear him sing was an added bonus. Thank you for sharing your truth.

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Inspirational to Fellow Music Creators

It was a pleasure to hear the man, Usher - the artist behind the shows. He is grounded, insightful, and still very much a force in the industry. I'm going to go back and listen to some of my old favorite jams/ albums he did back in the day. Usher solidified me as aa forever fan with this self reveal.

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I liked it

It wasn’t long at all. It was a brief story. I like that Usher read jt, himself.

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Short and sweet

Usher was candid and genuine delivering his perspectives on making music, being an artist, and perfecting his craft as a performer. In a lot of ways, this was a short documentary in audiobook format. Loved it.

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Nostalgic

This was Nostalgic. Thank you Usher for sharing your brand’s origin. I respect your evolution and you are correct in your synopsis of music today vs years-gone-by. It IS different. My 9yo daughter asked me what is a CD followed by what is a VCR. 🤣 I am 49yo and I am explaining CDs and VCRs. I MISS GREAT MUSIC AND GREAT MUSICIANS WITH GREAT TALENT. You seem to be the last of the Mohicans for my generation and I appreciate your infusion and collaboration with the newer artists for it’s not just for your evolution but for theirs as well. Streaming has certainly changed the music industry. I don’t even KNOW the musicians out there today and no longer recognize the names on the award shows so I stopped watching them. Pandora is now my own personal juke box on which you are listed as a favorite! 😍

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