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Justin Bieber · S2 E2
The Audition
Usher and Justin Timberlake both want to sign this kid. Only one of them gets the call
Justin Bieber is thirteen years old, standing in a room with Usher Raymond, and Scooter Braun is holding his breath. The kid opens his mouth and sings, and Usher leans forward in his chair.
"Never Say Never" ft. Jaden Smith (Justin Bieber, official music video, 2010). Written for The Karate Kid soundtrack, the energy is pure defiance: a kid who refuses to hear the word 'no.' After learning about the auditions, the rejections, and the bidding war, this is the song that captures what Justin brought into every room.
Never Say Never (feat. Jaden Smith), Justin Bieber (2010)
"Never Say Never" features Justin and Jaden Smith trading verses over a pop-hip-hop production that sounds bigger than either of them should have been able to carry at fourteen. Listen for how Justin matches Jaden's energy bar for bar, never deferring, never pulling back. The confidence in the vocal is real. This is a kid who just walked into a room with Usher and didn't blink.
Sources
Never Say Never (documentary), Paramount Pictures, 2011.
The Room
Scooter arranges for Justin to sing for Usher in person. The meeting almost doesn't happen: Usher is busy, schedules keep shifting, and Scooter has to push for weeks. When Justin finally sings, the room goes quiet. Usher doesn't need to hear a second song.
Sources
Never Say Never (documentary), Paramount Pictures, 2011.
Bieber, Justin. "First Step 2 Forever: My Story." HarperCollins, 2010.
TAP TO REVEAL: Which other superstar wanted to sign Justin Bieber?
The Deal
Usher and Scooter form RBMG Records, the Raymond Braun Media Group. They bring the deal to L.A. Reid at Island Records, who signs Justin in October 2008. Justin is fourteen years old, and he's one of the first artists in history to be signed to a major label based primarily on YouTube videos.
Sources
Bieber, Justin. "First Step 2 Forever: My Story." HarperCollins, 2010.
Never Say Never (documentary), Paramount Pictures, 2011.
The Signing
First Dance (feat. Usher), Justin Bieber (2009)
"First Dance" is Justin's first recorded collaboration with Usher, and it's the sound of a mentorship beginning. Usher doesn't overshadow Justin on the track. He sits beside him, guiding without overpowering. After hearing the story of how Usher fought to sign this kid, listen to the way their voices interact: it's a mentor making space for his protégé.
First Dance (feat. Usher), Justin Bieber (2009)
Usher's verse on this track is a cameo, not a takeover. Read the lyrics and notice how Justin carries the entire emotional weight of the song while Usher just adds texture. That's not an accident. It's a mentor who knows the spotlight belongs to someone else now.
What was the name of the joint label formed by Usher and Scooter Braun to sign Justin?
Justin has a label, a mentor, and a studio. Next episode: he records his debut single "One Time" at fourteen, and radio stations don't know what to do with a kid.
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