USHER'S MOM LAUNCHES RECORD LABEL

*Usher's mother and former manager Jonnetta Patton has launched her own independent record label, JPat Records, with two newly signed acts on the roster – R&B group Kwiet Storm and R&B male singer Donte J.

Although Usher fired her as his manager during Mother's Day weekend in 2007, Patton continues to run her Atlanta-based JPat Management company and is still representing the career of her youngest son, Grammy-nominated producer James “JLack” Lackey, and Jive recording artist Natasha.

Hailing from Chicago, Kwiet Storm features four male singer/songwriter/producers: cousins Duke Terrell, 18, and Lewis “Drey Skonie” Jackson, 19, and best friends Russell “Romance” Foster, 20, and Roshawn “Slow Mo” Lyles, 20.

Donte, a 20-year-old Philadelphia native, was playing the lead role in the musical stage play “The Life of Marvin Gaye” when, during intermission, he was introduced to Jonnetta Patton. Impressed by his soulful music and acting abilities, she soon signed him to her record label.