Usher's evolution tour

Jet, July 1, 2002

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Caption: Grammy Award-winning singer Usher sends the audience into a frenzy during a performance on his Evolution 8701 Tour at the Tweeter Center in Tinley Park, IL. Backed by a live band and six dancers, each night he takes audiences to a different world with his elaborate stage setting and constant outfit changes. Before Usher graces the stage, soulful songbird Faith Evans sets the tone of the show as one of the opening acts. Others featured on the tour include rappers Nas and Mr. Cheeks. Usher kicked off the popular tour in May; it will run into mid-July, ending in his hometown of Atlanta. His album, 8701, features the songs U Remind Me, U Got It Bad and U Don't Have To Call and has sold 6 million copies worldwide. Earlier this year he took home a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Performance for U Remind Me.