Usher is looking back on a tumultuous chapter in his career that helped launched then-budding singer Justin Bieber to superstardom.

The 45-year-old Confessions Part II singer spoke to People this week about how he and fellow singer Justin Timberlake, 43, duked it out in hopes of signing Bieber, now 29.

Usher — who hosted a wildly popular halftime show performance at Super Bowl LVIII this month — recalled how in 2008 he and Timberlake squared off in a ‘bidding war’ in hopes of getting Bieber on one their labels ahead of what they both correctly predicted would be a lucrative career.

‘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,’ the hitmaker recalled.

Usher knew Braun from years earlier when he had been working under the rapper and super-producer Jermaine Durpi, and they formed the record label Raymond Braun Media Group.

Usher, 45, spoke to People this week about how had a ‘bidding war’ with Justin Timberlake in 2008 as they competed to sign then-unknown Justin Bieber; seen February 14 in Atlanta

Usher added that he and Braun were determined to close the deal because ‘there can only be one Justin,’ suggesting that he thought Timberlake’s film might overshadow Bieber at the start of his career; seen on The Kelly Clarkson Show

Bieber ultimately signed on Usher and Scooter Braun’s record label, and Braun became his manager; pictured in 2009

‘I presented Scooter an offer that I felt like he couldn’t resist,’ the singer (born Usher Raymond IV) 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,’ he continued.

He added that he couldn’t promise to that he would have the perfect producer lined up for Bieber’s projects if he signed with him and Braun, but he could declare with certainty that ‘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 that he and Braun were determined to close the deal because ‘there can only be one Justin,’ suggesting that he thought Timberlake’s film might overshadow Bieber at the start of his career.

‘So if you want to go with Justin, that’s Justin and Justin. Me, it’s only one Justin,’ he continued. ‘So that obviously created a relationship and [there was] that support of him as an entrepreneur, because I think that he was trying to find himself as well.’

Braun would go on to be one of the biggest music managers in the industry — before some of his biggest stars left him last year —  but he hadn’t yet established himself as a hands-on manager yet.

However, Usher saw his potential and convinced Braun that he could be a ‘full-service manager’ in order to seal the deal with Bieber.

‘I think that you can do this,’ he recalled telling him.

‘I believe in you, and if we can have a partnership, I’ll give you every bit of wisdom that I have and grow you and support you in whatever you’re trying to accomplish as a businessman,’ he said in a pep talk to Braun. ‘You are a manager. You’re not just a guy who can discover artists. You are someone who just needs someone to believe in, and I believe in, and I’ll support you.’

Although Usher ultimately triumphed and signed Bieber to his label, he had nothing but complimentary things to say about Timberlake.

He stressed they were ‘unique artists,’ but there were plenty of things about their music that both artists came to admire.

‘I love the producers that he works with, so much so that I worked with them, and I think he loves the producers that I worked with, so much so that he’s worked with them,’ he shared.

Usher added that he has ‘always wanted to do a record with Justin, and I have reached out many times, but we’ve never managed to make it happen.’

However, he also tried to downplay comparisons between the superstar singers.

Usher saw his potential and convinced Braun that he could be a ‘full-service manager’ in order to seal the deal with Bieber. ‘I think that you can do this,’ he recalled telling him; seen February 11 in Las Vegas

Usher was still complimentary of Timberlake. ‘I love the producers that he works with, so much so that I worked with them, and I think he loves the producers that I worked with, so much so that he’s worked with them,’ he shared; seen on SNL on January 27

Usher previously revealed he tried to get Bieber to join him at the Super Bowl, but sources told DailyMail.com that the singer prefers not to do major shows now; seen together in 2011 in LA

‘I’m in competition with no one other than myself. I’ve always tried to beat my own record, beat my own expectations, and try and better myself,’ he declared.

‘If anything, I am motivated by people like Justin. I think that he is an amazing performer, and I think that he has a legacy that should be respected and not compared to anybody else. He should be recognized for who he is and what his contribution has been,’ the Yeah! singer added.

Usher previously revealed that he had contacted Bieber in hopes of getting him to make a surprise guest appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show.

However, insider revealed to DailyMail.com that Bieber is uninterested in putting on major shows at the moment, leading him to turn down Usher.