Usher recalled the time when he had to go head-to-head with Justin Timberlake over signing Justin Bieber back in 2008.

According to this week’s cover story of PEOPLE, the 45-year-old musician, revealed how he and Timberlake, got into a "bidding war" to sign a then-unknown Bieber.

Usher aimed to have the then 29-year-old signed to his and Scooter Braun's joint record label, Raymond Braun Media Group, in 2008.

"When you are at the top of your game, some of the greatest things will be presented to you, and it was, I think, right after [my album] Confessions that I was introduced to Justin Bieber and Scooter Braun," Usher stated.

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The Yeah! hit-maker continued, "We built a friendship, but this would obviously create a partnership that would span us forever, and it was a bit of a bidding war between me and Justin Timberlake.”

"... I was like, I'm not certain that I could understand each and every producer that this artist could benefit from, but what I can tell you is I'm going to give you my passion, and I'm going to give you every bit of what I have to offer," Usher added.

"So if you want to go with Justin, that's Justin and Justin. Me, it's only one Justin," he said, as he concluded the motive behind signing Bieber with Braun.