Usher recently talked about how tough he gets with protégé Justin Bieber when it is necessary.

In the latest issue of Billboard magazine, the R&B star admitted that he is not content with the Canadian pop star's headline-making behavior. "I'll punch him in the f**king chest when I need to and give him a hug and kiss when I need to," he said.

"I can say I'm not happy with all the choices my friend has made, but I'm supportive of him," he continued. "He's making his own decisions and it's important to show support."

Usher elaborated on his bond with Bieber. "Our relationship is more man-to-man now. I try my hardest to give as much positive reinforcement as I can," he said. "It's more than just mentoring. I love the kid."

This certainly is not the first time Ush has spoken out about the legally troubled star -- when a years-old videotape of the latter saying the N-word surfaced online, the former took to his Instagram account to defend him back in June.

"At my core, I am a person that supports growth and understands without judgment, that growth often comes as a result of pain and continues effort," he wrote. "As I have watched Justin Bieber navigate difficult waters as a young man, I can tell you that he hasn't always chosen the path of his greatest potential, but he is unequivocally not a racist."

"What he was 5 years ago was a naïve child who did not understand the negative power and degradation that comes from playing with racial slurs," he added. "What he is now is a young man faced with an opportunity to become his best self, an example to the millions of kids that follow him to not make the same mistakes."

Meanwhile, Usher is currently working on his upcoming eighth studio album, which features debuted singles "Good Kisser," "She Came to Give It to You" featuring Nicki Minaj and "I Don't Mind" featuring Juicy J.

He also explained why he was not able to release the new LP, which was originally due this fall. "I just ain't ready. Meaning I have more that I want to say and more that I want to do," he said. "My process is pretty different. L.A. Reid will tell you, it takes two albums to make one with Usher."