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contacted the Bieber family and,
after much persuasion, arranged
to fly Justin out to Atlanta to meet
Scooter and international rap star
and singer-songwriter Usher. Not
only was the trip Bieber’s first
visit to the US, but it was also his
first time on an airplane.
Justin Bieber spoke about this
first trip to Atlanta:
“Right when
we flew into Atlanta, Scooter
drove us to the studio and Usher
was there in the parking lot. That
was my first time ever being out
of Canada so I went up to him
and was like, ‘
Hey Usher, I love
your songs, do you want me to
sing you one?’
He was like, ‘No
little buddy, just come inside,
it’s cold out.’”
A week later, and
Justin returned to Atlanta to
perform for Usher.
“I sang for
him and his people and he really
wanted to sign me then and there
but I still had a meeting with Justin
Timberlake who also wanted to
sign me. It turned out Usher’s deal
was way better.”
Justin Bieber signed to
Raymond Braun Media Group,
a joint venture between Usher
and Scooter Braun, and then,
later in October 2008, he officially
signed to Island Records. Being
a signed artist soon became a
full-time job for the singer, but
that didn’t mean he could give
up his studies! Like many other
teen and child stars, Justin started
home schooling and even had
tutors take to the road with him to
ensure that he got an education.
He also continued with his
sporting ambitions and played
hockey for the Atlanta Knights.
The early days of Bieber’s
career were spent working with
songwriters and producers in
order to get the young singer
comfortable in the studio
environment. Producing a first-rate
pop star required an extensive
team of musicians, producers,
and songwriters, as well as
personnel to take care of legal
affairs, marketing, and styling.
His first single
One Time
was
released in July 2009 while
the remainder of the EP was
being recorded.
ABOVE:
Justin Timberlake,
who wanted to sign Bieber.
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