Usher, a veteran in the music and entertainment industry, has been granted an honorary doctorate degree from the Berklee College of Music.
In recognition of his decades of success, the 44-year-old joins Roberta Flack and Sona Jorbarteh as recipients of honorary Doctor of Music degrees.
The trio will had the opportunity to address the class of 2023 during the commencement ceremony, which took place on May 13, 2023, at Boston University’s Agganis Arena.
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Prior to the graduation ceremony, a reception and concert was held on May 12, featuring a diverse group of over 200 graduating students.
The event showcased the talents of student vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, arrangers, and track producers, paying tribute to the accomplishments of each of the honorees.
According to VIBE past recipients of honorary degrees from the college include Duke Ellington (the first, in 1971), Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Celine Dion, B.B. King, Joni Mitchell, Chaka Khan, Esperanza Spalding, Willie Nelson, Missy Elliott, Ringo Starr, Gloria Estefan, and John Legend.
The news comes as the Confessions singer prepares to enter a new era of his career. Announcing a joint record label with L.A. Reid, Usher has also teased he’s on the way “to wake up R&B” with a new album. Earlier this month the global superstar shared a rehearsal of his latest single “GLU” announcing tour dates in Paris. He first teased the track on Valentine’s Day.
“Part of the reason that I decide[d] to launch it [then] is because it’s a day of love. And what I found is, a lot of people who maybe don’t have love, and they just wanted to have self-love on that day.”
Out in Boston with my brother @Usher as he Receives his Honorary Doctorate at Berklee 2023 Commencement pic.twitter.com/JhWpGt2x88
— Jermaine Dupri (@jermainedupri) May 13, 2023
and
What can I say…. today is a BIG day for me here in Boston!! Getting prepared to receive my PHD Doctorate from Berklee College of Music in Boston, along with Usher and Roberta Flack..! ?? pic.twitter.com/AzOChV53Ck
— Sona Jobarteh (@SonaJobarteh) May 13, 2023
Congratulations!
