Hip hop embraces Justin Bieber

In an interview with MTV News, singer Justin Bieber talks about why the hip hop world has accepted him.

The 16-year old singer did not name any names but said that, unlike other singers, he has not gone the Disney way.

Justin Bieber erupted onto the music scene last year and quickly began to evolve under the tutelage of Usher. The R&B star signed Bieber to his record label.

In the video for Baby, the first single off his new album, My World 2.0, he sings with rapper Ludacris. Another rising Canadian star, Drake, is also in the background Justin Bieber’s video, playing one of his friends in the bowling alley scene. He is a Lil Wayne  protégé.

Justin Bieber comments: "I like hop-hop a lot. I’m really glad they’ve taken a liking to me," he told MTV News recently. "Having Luda [on my song ‘Baby’] and having Lil Wayne give me shout me out on UStream and, like, you know — it’s cool."

He adds: I think it’s because I didn’t go through the Disney route, I didn’t go corny, but, like, at the same time I’ve been cool and collected."

Now the trick for Justin Bieber is to make the sometimes difficult transition between the teen and adult worlds. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of stars like Justin Timberlake and Usher who succeeded in leaving their teen image behind.