Usher has allowed a slightly embarrassing photo of him as a child to be used in an advertising campaign for the Boys and Girls Club of America.

The Grammy-winning artist said he hopes this advert, along with others featuring Denzel Washington, Shaquille O'Neal and Martin Sheenwill, will raise awareness for the youth organisation.

"It made a difference for me - being great doesn't start in the later moments of life," he said.

The singer continued: "We could be speaking to tomorrow's Barack Obama or Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson or Usher. These clubs are valuable to the community. Hopefully my billboard can help inspire someone else."

Looking up at the new billboard, Usher he joked: "I can only imagine how many accidents are going to happen in result of this being here."