Usher's position at the forefront of R&B spans the post-new jack swing mid-'90s through the genre's flirtations with Afrobeats and amapiano. Primed early for the spotlight, the singer, songwriter, and dancer started in the church and vaulted quickly from Star Search contestant to major-label signee. Although "Call Me a Mack" (1993) was a lofty declaration from a 14 year-old on his debut single, it wasn't long before Usher gained control of a fully developed, flexible tenor voice and could lay valid claim to the R&B throne. My Way (1997) followed the modest success of his self-titled debut with a barrage of Jermaine Dupri-produced singles that either topped or nearly topped Billboard Hot 100.