In a career spanning about 10 years, she has established herself as one of the leading playback singers in the Telugu film industry and has worked with many major music directors.

Usha began her singing career with "Paadutha Teeyaga", a music based program on Eenadu Television hosted by singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.

She stood first in the competition and later followed up by winning another music contest titled "Navaragam" on Gemini TV.

She sang in various Telugu movies like Indra, Chiruta, Athidhi, Pourudu, Varsham, Bhadra, Chitram, Nuvvu Nenu, Manasantha Nuvve, Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu, Jayam, Santhosham, Nee Sneham, Avunanna Kadanna and many more.

Usha has recorded with music directors, such as Ilaiyaraaja, M. M. Keeravani, Koti, Mani Sharma, Vandemataram Srinivas, Devi Sri Prasad, Kamalakar, RP Patnaik, Chakri, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Ramana Gogula and others.