Usher's mom-turned-manager Jonnetta Patton supervised her son's career since 1994, when his debut album Usher was released. Although the mother-son team recently chose to end their business relationship, the 28-year-old superstar says their family ties are as strong as ever. "This is great for me because it means I now get to have my mother strictly as my mother with no added pressure," he said in an official statement.