Usher began his music career at age 14 after performing on Star Search, landing a record deal with LaFace Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. In the early days, Usher would perform live and sell CDs in shops, while the fan-star relationship was limited. Now in the age of digital media, Usher releases music online through services like iTunes and Spotify, and uses social media like his website, Instagram, and Twitter to connect with over 9 million followers, strengthening his relationship with fans.