Is Justin Bieber Retiring?

Justin Bieber appeared on Los Angeles hip hop station Power 106 on Tuesday to announce his plans to retire from the music industry after his next album.

“After the new album, uh, I’m actually, uh, I’m retiring man, I’m retiring,” Bieber told surprised Los Angeles disc jockey Big Boy.  “I want to grow as an artist and I’m taking a step out, I want my music to mature.”

Bieber’s next album, Complete My Journals, is scheduled for release on Monday, December 23.

TMZ claims sources within the Bieber camp say the announcement was a joke and that the “kid has ambition.”  Also, the act might just be a publicity stunt for Power 106.  The station is teasing on Twitter, “Is the biebs done with music? find out tomorrow with @BigBoy #JustinBigBoy106.”

If true, the news would be a shock to the singer’s 48 million followers across the globe.  The step back from the spotlight could use the 19-year-old some good though since he’s become a fixture in headlines across the world for his child-like antics, whether it’s urinating in a mop bucket, spitting on fans, or driving recklessly on the streets of LA.  If Bieber is actually committed to maturing his sound and creating a Justin Timberlake type of career, a step back to move a few steps forward could be his best career move yet.

Do you think Justin Bieber is actually retiring? Comment below…