Justin Bieber, currently in Atlanta and reportedly recording a new album which may feature some of the many rappers he’s been seen with recently, is staying at the “spaceship-like” home of record producer Dallas Austin.
While he’s in town, the local police department is reportedly making sure the teen icon isn’t harassed by fans or press and is putting on special patrols to drive past Bieber’s temporary pad day and night to stop the area becoming a circus.
According to TMZ , a Captain at the Sandy Springs Police Department is keen for things to remain peaceful and said of Bieber, “He’s not an animal in a zoo.”
As we reported two weeks ago, Bieber casually confided to a young ice-hockey player at a game he crashed in Atlanta on February 4, that he intends to stay in the Georgia capital for a few months to record.
So, where does a 19-year-old looking to escape from relentless public scrutiny and definitely doesn’t want to live too close to neighbors kick back?
(Photo: “My crib is always so beautiful in da snow #rowdyuniverse,” Austin said of his Atlanta home.)
Enter Austin and his futuristic-designed, 5,500 sq. ft. four-bedroom home.
It made quite an impression on viewers when it featured on the 15th season of MTV’s Cribs in 2007, and Bieber is apparently also a fan of its charms.
Contrary to reports that Bieber’s stay at Austin’s is a cold, rental transaction , the man behind hits for the late MIchael Jackson, Brandy, Pink, Lenny Kravitz, TLC – he has a 17-year-old son, Tron, with Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas – and also contributed to film soundtracks for Poetic Justice , Boomerang and White Men Can’t Jump, says the singer is his houseguest and has free rein of his home.
To TMZ , Austin called Bieber, “My boy.”
Underlining the point, the 43-year-old took to Twitter Thursday to clarify details that appear to have been misreported:
Ok people have to realize I’ve known @justinbieber way before he ever made it!! and that house has always been his Atlanta home!
— DallasRowdyAustin (@DALLASAUSTIN) February 20, 2014
Oh yeah it’s not my old Atlanta spaceship home I still live there!! @justinbieber is a house guest relax!! — DallasRowdyAustin (@DALLASAUSTIN) February 20, 2014
Bieber first moved to ATL in 2008 with his mother Pattie Mallette to launch his career with his manager Scooter Braun and mentor Usher — who still lives in the city’s upscale Buckhead district with his sons Naviyd, 5, and Usher Raymond V, 6.
The “ Boyfriend ” singer is said to be eyeing one particular mansion in the same area while reportedly scoping out others.
It’s claimed Bieber is also looking at estates in Hidden Valley which borders his old stomping ground in Calabasas, and hasn’t returned to since an egging-related police raid on January 14.
The teen singer is evidently keen to put some distance between himself and Calabasas and the still ongoing investigation into an egg-assault on on his neighbor’s home, of which Bieber is accused and may yet be charged over when the Los Angeles D.A. announces a decision in the coming days.
But, for now, Justin is enjoying his spaceship sanctuary.
The pop prince’s love of all things space is well known — he has booked a $250,000 flight on Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic private space rides slated to begin in 2014 — and Austin shares his sci-fi tastes.
Mail Online reports, the Grammy award winning producer was inspired to create his fantasy home by his childhood hero Buck Rogers.
“As a kid I was like, ‘I can’t wait to live in this time.’ I was always for some reason a space-head,” Dallas told Aleim Magazine .
“I remember when me and Chili [from TLC] were together, I would always say whenever there is a chance to go to outer space, I’m going,” he added.
For Bieber, recording what could be a progressive, hip-hop-flavored album, the spaceship home from home may provide the inspiration he needs.
The “ Confident ” singer recently teased fans with a 15-second R&B slow jam, later tweeting a series of messages to his over 49 million followers indicating he was staying focused despite his legal woes.
These include charges of DUI while allegedly drag racing in Miami Beach and assault over an alleged incident in Toronto, Canada.
After a Monday tweet telling his mother – who is with him in Atlanta – that he loved her, two days later Justin tweeted fans, writing:
“Dance rehearsal. Guitar practice. Workouts. Voice strengthening. Studio writing sessions. Always working to get better. Work hard. Be great.”
He added, “I see all your comments. Keep strong. Be the best that you can be. Much love.”
A Jacksonesque post capped the run.
Let’s change the world together.
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) February 20, 2014