Justin Bieber Aiming to Go Beyond Teen Idol Career With Christmas Album

Justin Bieber’s Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe, is expected to hit stores on November 1, and while a lengthy online and media promotional campaign is behind it, the release is expected to move the Biebs’ career to a new level, according to a recent profile on the teen pop singer in Billboard. Originally, however, Under the Mistletoe was meant to be one single and then it expanded to an EP; by the time Bieber hit the studio, it became a full-fledged album.

To Billboard, manager Scooter Braun mentioned that the singer’s voice has deepened and matured on Mistletoe and that the release showcases his full artistic abilities: "These songs show he really can do anything he wants: He's rapping on one, singing a classic on another, R&B, country, pop. I hope people will hear it and say, 'He's not going anywhere.'"

Island Def Jam Music Group president and COO Steve Bartels agreed: "The album really shows his growth as a young man, and his voice has just blossomed. It will pleasantly surprise many people. It's not your typical holiday album."

Bieber covered five standard holiday songs and co-wrote six of his own; a deluxe edition with 15 tracks will also be available. Collaborating with him on Mistletoe are Mariah Carey, The Band Perry, Usher, Busta Rhymes, Boys II Men, and other artists. Braun said: “I hope it's a platinum record, and I feel it will be. It's a different day and age now. It's a really strange time when the biggest artists in the world aren't even going platinum."

One of the largest philanthropic efforts for a pop musician is behind Bieber’s Christmas album, and in October, its first single reached No. 1 on the iTunes chart. Yet, even with the immediate and projected success for Mistletoe, Braun sees the album as the one to pull Bieber from successful and talented teen idol to an artist. The manager also told Billboard: "All the hype and the kids running down the street screaming, you lose the chance to say that this started because of the music. This album lets the music speak for itself. I don't want to draw comparisons, but there was a band during the British Invasion that had girls screaming at them. I think you know who I'm talking about."

Other record execs concur. To the magazine, Barry Weiss, chairman and CEO of Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown., said: "There is no doubt that Justin has defined the voice of a generation, and most certainly, many generations to come. He has the charisma, the natural talent and the drive and determination to last a lifetime."