Justin Bieber was all of 15 when he created a stir with his chartbuster single, Baby. Now, three years later, the singer has grown up and wants his music to cross generations. In an email interview with Ruchika Kher, the young singing sensation talks about his new album Believe, his challenges and handling stardom as a teenager. Excerpts.
Tell us something about Believe. How and what prompted you to release this album?
I wanted to do a more mature and different sounding album for my fans. I’m definitely getting older and I wanted to make music that older people can relate to, as well. I thought it would be great to experiment with new sounds, new genres — to step out of my comfort zone and growu00a0my audience.
Could you tell us a bit about the compositions that are part of Believe?
The album is well rounded. It covers a range of songs — it’s got Club songs, there’s R&B, and you’ll find a few slow songs. I’ve also rapped in Boyfriend. Rodney Jerkins helped produce the album. We worked with Drake, Kanye West and Taylor Swift.
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Pics/ Getty Images, AFP
How do you handle stardom at such a young age?
I think the credit should go to my mom. She plays a huge hand in keeping me completely grounded, all the while encouraging me to do what I was good at.
Do you ever feel like going back to a common 18-year-old’s life?
I certainly miss few things. I really miss my family and friends; I don’t get to spend a lot of time with them. But to be honest it’s been an amazing journey and I’ve been so lucky. I really love what I do.
Making a Splash with Selena
With actor-singer girlfriend Selena Gomez
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Being part of this industry, controversies are common to your life. Does it ever bother you when your name gets dragged in on such occasions? Do you feel you’ve matured before age?
As you said, controversies are a part of life. We all have haters who try to bog us down but I don’t let them affect me. I focus on my music, my mentors, my fans and all the positivity around me.
Coming back to your music, do you think you will be able to replicate the success of Baby in your life?
I was only 15 when I recorded Baby. Now, I’m growing, evolving, changing. I have so many great mentors that I look up to, to help me be the best that I can be, as an artist. I’m sure there’s another Baby in me, which will surface soon.
Are there any plans to visit India in the near future?
As of now, I have no plans but I would really like to come to India and meet all my fans.
Believe is a mix of R&B, Club, slow tracks and even Rap. It sold 57,000 copies inu00a0its first week in Canada.
What’s lined up for the future?
At the moment, I am busy with my tour. I will start the North America leg of this tour soon; all my focus and energy is on that.
With Rihanna and Katy Perry at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Pic/Getty Images
Bieber Bio
>> His full name is Justin Drew Bieber andu00a0he was born on March 1, 1994
>>u00a0u00a0Justin Bieber is the first singer to have seven songs from a debut album chart on the Billboard Hot 100
>>u00a0u00a0His nicknames are J-Beebs, Justin, JB, Biebs and Bieber
>>u00a0u00a0His hobbies are skating, football, hockey, basketball and golf
>>u00a0u00a0His favourite TV shows include American Idol, Grey’s Anatomy and Smallville
>>u00a0u00a0His favourite artists are Usher, Chris Brown, Elliot Yamin, Rascall Flatts, Billy Talent and T-Bone
>>u00a0u00a0He is 5’ 7” (1.70 m) tall
>>u00a0u00a0His record label is Island Def Jam
>>u00a0u00a0Bieber plays guitar, piano, percussion and trumpet
>>u00a0u00a0He is the second most followed person on Twitter in world, 25,65,2451; after Lady Gaga (Barack Obama is at No. 6).u00a0
Bieber maina gets painful!
In addition to the list of controversies concerning Justin Bieber, came news of this bizarre incident. Recently, a woman called Stacey Wilson Betts claimed that her hearing has been permanently damaged after she took her daughter to the teen idol’s concert on July 14, 2010. The woman, who hails from Oregon, is suing Bieber for a whopping $9.23million in damages. Betts cites that while the initial screaming in the arena was bad enough, Bieber made it much worse when he was pulled into the crowd in a ‘heart-shaped aluminum/steel gondola’ as part of the show. Her lawsuit alleges that Bieber created a wave like effect of screaming by pointing into various sections of the arena, which created a sound blast that permanently damaged both of her ears.
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