It’s been roughly three weeks since Jabari put me on to Justin Bieber. After an investigation that would put “Law & Order” and “CSI” to shame (aka a simple Google search), the offspring of a single mother from Stafford, Ontario, seems poised, primed and nurtured to follow in the steps of so many before him as the next teen prodigy. Similar to the strategy used by the OG DeAndre Way, Bieber’s hustle has been viral and the over 30 million YouTube views only crack the surface. Along with those impressive statistics, it’s his famous co-sign which has caught the attention of quite a few people, including myself.

Singer/songwriter/producer Usher introduced his teen protégé, Justin Bieber, to Los Angeles tastemakers yesterday (April 27) during a sit-down lunch at The Sunset Tower Hotel.

Currently recording his Island Records debut in Atlanta, the 15-year-old Bieber is already at radio with the Chris “Tricky” Stewart-produced single “One Time.” A video for the song was shot yesterday. Additional songwriting/production collaborators thus far include The-Dream and Midi Mafia. The album, titled “My World,” is slated for release later this year.

Barring any comparisons or predictions, the kid has a solid backing and with Usher, The-Dream, Tricky Stewart and more providing oversight of his first project (currently entitled My World), I’d feel confident about him, too. Even before Ush, one of his original fans included Scooter Braun, the same guy who helped make Asher’s Roth’s infatuation with higher education a reality.

“He [Braun] was very, very persistent,” Bieber says. “He even called my great aunt and my school board.”

Braun flew Bieber to Atlanta and met with Usher, who then took Bieber to sing for Island Def Jam CEO Antonio “L.A.” Reid. Braun says Reid found it uncanny that “Justin was the same exact age as Usher when he was signed.”

Nevermind the fact he’s already got his age group sewn up, his most endearing quality is the soul he encompasses at 16, as apparent in the above video. Claims of the “next Justin Timberlake” may seem like a stretch currently, but given the chance to maximize that same quality (and one or two dance sequences just for kicks), the music industry could be looking at its next pop megastar. With that said, TMZ likely already has a Justin Bieber/Molly Cyrus rumor on deck.

Time Is Right For Teen Singer Justin Bieber [Reuters]

Usher Introduces Teen Singer Justin Bieber [Billboard]

Justin Bieber: One Time [Broken Cool]