Usher Says He Won ‘Bidding War’ with Justin Timberlake for Justin Bieber

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Usher and Justin Timberlake draw a lot of comparisons … but Usher says he’s got a leg up on his counterpart — ’cause he beat him in a Justin Bieber bidding war.

The singer-songwriter revealed in an interview with People that, way back in 2008, he met Bieber and Scooter Braun and offered to bring JB onto his record label … but first, he said he had to pull out a thicker wad of cash than Timberlake.

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Usher said he also used Timberlake’s name against him, telling Justin that — if he went with Usher — he’d be the only Justin around.

Seems like the war didn’t get too contentious … Usher doesn’t say anything negative about Timberlake in the interview — and actually compliments the guy tons.

Usher said he and Justin are both unique artists, and he loves the producers Timberlake chooses to work with … adding he even wants to collaborate on an album with the former *NSYNC star.

He finished off by saying he’s motivated by people like Timberlake who “should be recognized for who he is and what his contribution has been.”

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Of course, Usher was recognized for his contribution to music by headlining the Super Bowl Halftime show … one which his protege decided to skip out on.

We broke the story … Usher reached out to Bieber directly to get him to join him for his big performance — but, while Alicia Keys, Ludacris and Lil Jon all hopped onstage with him, Justin decided to sit in his suite and spectate.

No bad blood between the two though … ’cause Usher said in an interview earlier this week that “he’s just wanting to tell a different story right now, and I understand that.”

Bottom line … Usher won the biggest auction of his life — and ya gotta wonder how Justin Timberlake feels about it.