By Amber Goodhand - Breaking Celebrity News News Editor

Hip hop artist Usher is embracing the benefits of veganism and Breaking Celebrity News has exclusively learned he's loving it so much that he's urging his protégé Justin Bieber to jump on the vegan bandwagon, too!

Usher, 33, has always had a flare for the vegetarian, but according to insiders, he's taking it to a new level by going vegan — and loves what it's doing to his rock-hard abs.

"Usher frequents a few vegan restaurants in New York City and not only loves the food, but feels like it's the healthiest way to live," a source exclusively told Breaking Celebrity News.

"He's desperate to get Bieber on the same health kick he is and thinks with all the touring and busy schedule he has, it would keep him energized."

The insider also reveals that Usher's father died of a heart attack in 2008 so the Scream singer is careful not to fall to the same fate.