Justin Bieber NOT Retiring: ‘No I’m Just Messing Around’

Justin Bieber is known for his practical jokes, but no one was laughing at his recent revelation that he planned to retire after the release of his new album, Complete My Journals.

Justin sat down in Big Boy’s Neighborhood on Power 106 to announce his retirement plans. “After the new album, I’m actually retiring man. I’m retiring,” he told radio host Kurt Alexander, a.k.a. Big Boy. “I’m just gonna take some time. I think I’m probably gonna quit music.”

Big Boy’s response echoed fans across the world, “No!”

Power 106 released a short clip of Justin’s interview, that included the announcement, last night, Dec. 17.

The full interview aired Dec. 18 and finished Justin’s thoughts .

“I’m quitting. I’m going to go golf,” he told Big Boy before pulling a 180. “No, I’m just messing around.”

The Internet exploded after the announcement hit the web, but sources close to the pop sensation told the Daily Mail, “Justin’s going through a phase – no-one’s worried. He’s not retiring – he’s being a little punk!”

The Biebs skyrocketed to fame after his manager Scooter Braun discovered YouTube videos of him singing back in 2007. Less then two years later, Justin released his first album, My World. The spotlight has shined bright on the teen idol ever since.

He made no similar announcements of retirement on his Twitter or official website, leading to speculation on the validity of his statement. In his last few tweets, Justin only promoted his upcoming movie, Believe, and talked about shooting his latest music video for Confident.

Justin does plan to leave the bright lights of Hollywood for the holidays and celebrate Christmas with his family back home in Canada.

The new album, Complete My Journals, will be released on Dec. 23. Justin Bieber’s Believe, the follow-up documentary to 2011’s Never Say Never, premieres on Christmas Day.

Listen to Justin’s whole “retirement” announcement below.