Justin Bieber has become one of the biggest pop stars in the world since rising to fame as a teenager in 2008. Over the past decade, he has sold over 150 million records worldwide and established himself as a dominant force in the pop music industry. However, no artist creates in a vacuum – Bieber’s massive success was built on the foundations laid by the musicians who came before him and inspired his own sound and style. While he hasn’t definitively ranked his top three favorite artists, Bieber has openly discussed some of the key singers and rappers who have influenced his music the most over the years. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at two of Justin Bieber’s biggest musical mentors – Usher and Kanye West – as well as explore some of the other artists who helped shape Bieber into the performer he is today.

Usher – Bieber’s Early Mentor and Inspiration

One of the most influential figures in Justin Bieber’s early career was R&B superstar Usher. Bieber was discovered in 2008 by talent manager Scooter Braun after posting cover songs on YouTube. Braun sent Bieber’s YouTube videos to Usher, who immediately saw the teenage singer’s star potential. Usher took Bieber under his wing, mentoring him as he transitioned from YouTube discovery to full-fledged pop sensation.

Usher played a pivotal role in launching Bieber’s career and helping mold him into a professional recording artist. He signed Bieber to his record label, Raymond Braun Media Group, and brought him on as the opening act for his OMG Tour in 2010. On tour, Usher gave Bieber invaluable career advice and helped coach him on his stage presence, choreography, and live performance skills. Bieber has said that watching Usher perform night after night was hugely inspirational – he studied Usher’s every move to learn from the master showman.

In addition to mentoring Bieber professionally, Usher also became a father figure to the then-15-year-old singer as he navigated fame and the music industry for the first time. Their close relationship was evident in Bieber’s early music, as his smooth R&B pop sound drew obvious inspiration from Usher’s signature style. Songs like “Baby” and “Somebody” showed Bieber embracing Usher’s brand of melodic, radio-friendly R&B jams that helped turn him into a mainstream pop crossover success.

Over a decade later, Bieber still considers Usher one of his greatest inspirations and credits him with launching his career. In a 2021 interview, Bieber called Usher “one of the best live performers of all time” and said he “wouldn’t be who I am today without Usher’s guidance and mentorship.” Usher played the pivotal role of Bieber’s early champion, helping mold his raw talent into polished pop gold and setting him on the path to superstardom. His influence can still be heard in Bieber’s smooth vocal delivery and flair for upbeat R&B pop hits.

Kanye West – An Inspiration for Bieber’s Rap Ambitions

While Usher may have been Bieber’s initial mentor, another artist who left a major mark was rapper and producer Kanye West. Bieber has frequently cited West as one of his biggest creative inspirations, praising his genre-blending productions and boundless ambition. Bieber looks up to West not only as a musical innovator but also as someone who refuses to be confined by expectations or limitations.

Bieber first took note of West early in his career, around the time of 2010’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. He saw West as a true artist who broke barriers between rap and other genres. Bieber was particularly drawn to West’s boundless self-confidence and willingness to experiment, qualities he sought to bring to his own music over time. In a 2013 interview, Bieber called West a “genius” and praised his ability to “take chances” musically.

Bieber’s 2015 album Purpose showed the influence of West more prominently, as Bieber began incorporating more rapping and edgier sounds into his pop templates. Songs like “Where Are Ü Now” with Diplo and “What Do You Mean?” found Bieber embracing trap influences and flexing newfound rap skills. He cited West and Drake as inspiring this artistic growth, which expanded his fanbase by bringing hip hop audiences into the fold. West even featured on Bieber’s 2017 single “Wait For U” alongside DJ Snake, showing their mutual respect.

In 2021, Bieber further demonstrated the impact of West by naming him one of his top five favorite rappers of all time. West pushed Bieber to challenge pop conventions and take risks – an influence that has allowed Bieber’s music to continually evolve in new directions. From West, Bieber learned the power of creative restlessness and refusing to be pigeonholed in any one genre. This mentality has served Bieber well as his sound grows more eclectic and adventurous with each new album. Kanye West left a lasting imprint by inspiring Bieber to follow his artistic instincts fearlessly.

Other Notable Influences

While Usher and Kanye West stand out as two of Bieber’s most prominent musical mentors, several other artists have also left their mark on his style over the years:

The Notorious B.I.G.: Bieber has cited Biggie as one of his favorite rappers and a huge influence on his own flow and delivery. This is audible in songs like “Stay” which find Bieber adopting a laidback rap cadence.

Michael Jackson: The King of Pop’s unparalleled showmanship and precision dancing have clearly inspired Bieber’s live performances and choreography over time. Songs like “Dirty Diana” also seem to channel MJ’s flair.

Justin Timberlake: JT blazed the path of the modern pop-R&B star and helped bring the genre to the mainstream. Songs like “Love Yourself” echo Timberlake’s blend of catchy pop hooks and soulful vocals.

Drake: Bieber looks up to Drake as the modern master of the pop-rap hybrid. He strives to blend genres seamlessly like Drake does on hits like “What’s Next” and “Peaches.”

The Beatles: Bieber has cited the Fab Four as songwriting heroes. Their knack for crafting infectious pop tunes is an early influence still present in Bieber’s own hitmaking prowess.

While his sound continues to evolve, it’s clear that Bieber didn’t arrive at his current artistic point alone, but rather stands on the shoulders of giants who came before him. By embracing diverse influences from Usher to Kanye to Biggie, Bieber has established himself as a truly unique pop alchemist for the modern era. He remains dedicated to growing and experimenting with each new release, ensuring his music stays fresh by fearlessly blending an array of genres. This eclectic approach is a testament to Bieber’s willingness to learn from the past while charging confidently into the future.