Usher has revealed he got into a bidding war with Justin Timberlake over Justin Bieber.
In a new cover interview with People, the 45-year-old musician recalled how he went to head-to-head with Timberlake as they both vied to sign up-and-coming Bieber before he hit the big time.
“It was a bit of a bidding war between me and Justin Timberlake,” Usher shared. “I was like, ‘I’m not certain that I could understand each and every producer that this artist could benefit from, but what I can tell you is I’m going to give you my passion, and I’m going to give you every bit of what I have to offer.'”
The singer recalled he told Bieber there would “only one Justin” if he signed with him rather than Timberlake.
Usher explained that he was riding high after the release of his hit album Confessions when he was introduced to Bieber and talent agent Scooter Braun.
“When you are at the top of your game, some of the greatest things will be presented to you,” he said.
Usher ultimately won the battle and went on to sign Bieber to Raymond Braun Media Group, his joint record label with Scooter Braun, in 2008.
“I presented Scooter an offer that I felt like he couldn’t resist,” Usher, who recently headlined the Super Bowl halftime show, explained. “We built a friendship, but this would obviously create a partnership that would span us forever.”
