Scooter Braun Explains Justin Bieber’s “Artist Moment” On Music Mondays

Sam Lansky | October 18, 2013 12:32 pm

So what exactly is Justin Bieber up to with his Music Mondays series? Let his manager, Scooter Braun, explain: In a new interview with Billboard, the music exec says that it was Justin’s way of giving back to his fans some songs that weren’t necessarily right for an album (that is, they’re not #bangerz), but that he was proud of artistically. And that’s nice, isn’t it? That’s a nice thing.

Usher called me up and we were talking about it, and he said, ‘Scooter, artists need to have an ‘artist’ moment. Otherwise, we’ll go crazy,'” Braun explained. “And I think this is Justin’s moment of truly being an artist and sharing who he is.”

They’re also the product of a little darkness, which maybe isn’t the worst thing in the world, creatively: “Justin had this complete body of work that was very different from the stuff he had done in the past — very R&B-driven, personal songs, not necessarily songs that he was thinking of as radio records,” Braun said. “That’s why he called them ‘journals.’ They’re very, very personal to what he’s been feeling over the last six months, going through a tough time.”

Given the musical caliber of “Heartbreaker” (a really good song!) and “All That Matters” (an even better song!), it’s a good look for him. Hope the next album reflects that a little more than the petulant teen act that he’s been showcasing in the public.

[via Billboard]