They're on the same record label, stayed in the same Auckland hotel last night and even did Letterman recently on the same day.
But Michael Kiwanuka has managed to slip into New Zealand with just a fraction of the fanfare that Justin Bieber did.
And he's being heralded as the next big thing by those in the know.
He's playing a showcase gig in Auckland tomorrow afternoon - but before that Ali Ikram spoke to the shy singer about fame and why he can't bear to watch himself on TV.
Watch the video.