Justin Bieber’s “Believe” to top the U.S. pop charts

The protege has become the influencer. Justin Bieber will be No. 1 on the U.S pop charts when they’re released tomorrow, bowing in the pole position one week after his mentor Usher topped the charts. Bieber, however, will be the one with bragging rights. His new album “Believe” has registered the bestselling debut week for an album this year.

“Believe,” his first effort since November’s holiday album “Under the Mistletoe,” sold 374,000 copies in its debut week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That’s more than double the 128,000 copies sold earlier this month by Usher’s “Looking 4 Myself,” which should stay near the upper echelon of the chart this week.

“Believe” is Bieber’s fourth album to top the Billboard charts, according to the music industry publication, and also notches the young’un his best-ever sales week. “Mistletoe” unwrapped at No. 1 with 210,000 copies sold, and his 2010 effort “My World 2.0” landed with 282,000.

Bieber was on a media tear in support of the album last week -- talking live on YouTube with NBC’s Jimmy Fallon and squealing in horror when CBS’ David Letterman tried to rub off his “Believe” tattoo. His “Believe” tour comes to the Staples Center in October.

“Believe” notches the best sales week for a debut since Drake’s “Take Care” topped 600,000 late last year. Madonna’s “MDNA” sold 359,000 copies when it arrived in April. “MDNA” has since fallen off the chart.