A Year of Change: Justin Bieber’s Shifting Priorities in Life and Art

Justin Bieber could sell ice to an Eskimo, but the star is often in the spotlight for his personal life rather than his business ventures. The latest incident on this front involved the singer posting on Instagram and not saying a word. Last weekend, he reposted an old video that’s been lighting up the internet as fans, critics, and onlookers alike are now asking questions about Justin’s stance on sobriety.

Sharing the clip on his Instagram Story, Bieber resurfaced the old video featuring rapper DMX talking to spiritual counselor and television host Iyanla Vanzant. Taken from the 2013 season finale of Iyanla: Fix My Life, the full video (embedded at the end of this article) has Vanzant asking DMX, “Do you want to live your life as a clean man?”

DMX’s Response: ‘I’m Right Where I Need to Be’

DMX quickly retorts, “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” to which Vanzant says that sobriety will make him “a clear, pure vessel for the voice of God.” The rapper’s response comes with no hesitation: “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God.”

Bieber’s post on the story was taken from Gassy, an LA-based cannabis dispensary. It has no caption or commentary on the post, save for “Los Angeles, the capital of hippie culture,” which is what it took over from.

However, social media often has a mind of its own, and fans have been sending up speculations about the post. Did Justin mean to make this point about sobriety, faith, and personal choice? Or was it just a DMX clip that he thought would go down well with his followers?

The Grapevine Around Bieber

The fact that Justin made the post without commentary led many to assume that he endorsed DMX’s point of view. Others were asking why he did not choose to say anything. Was it to avoid coming across as judgmental? Was it to avoid comparisons with his current life that his sobriety-based faith publicly preaches?

Bieber is open about his spiritual journey through life and has often turned to Christianity for solace. In the past, his demons included substance abuse, mental health, and issues of burnout. He’s publicly credited his faith with helping him turn his life around, and he’s been open about his journey in that area as well. He remains close with pastor Judah Smith of Churchome and often shares messages from his faith on his social media platforms.

Fatherhood is also a source of peace and joy for Justin, who shares daughter Harper Seven with wife Hailey. Their son Jack Blues Bieber was born last year, and since then Bieber has grown into a calmer, more patient, and more “available” parent. But the grapevine about him doesn’t seem to have stopped, as earlier this year, his camp was quick to fire off warnings to critics.

His Instagram and Twitter pages show him more than willing to take pictures of bongs or in smoky environments, leading to some concern among fans. But according to sources, Bieber is actually not doing anything illegal or dangerous, regardless of how it may appear.

A rep for Bieber told TMZ in February that “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true.” He added that the singer is “one of the best places in his life,” raising his son, working on music, spending time with family, and rejuvenating.

Insiders told the publication that 2023 was “very transformative” for Bieber, who took the difficult but important step of saying goodbye to several “long-standing personal and business relationships” that had once been close to him. His 2024 album is also a “reflection” of his last year.

DMX Clip Comes Days After Bieber Drops New Album

Sharing the DMX clip to his Instagram Story was a pointed move just days after he also announced the release of his 7th album, Swag. Released on July 11, Swag was almost an afterthought to Bieber’s impressive news earlier in the month.

The 22-track album dropped to great reviews and has made Bieber reflect upon his own life and maturity as an artist. Themes on the record range from love to marriage to fatherhood, with Bieber exploring his growth in various ways. Bieber has called the album an authentic one, even using skits and “therapy sessions” with social media personality Druski to bring more levity to the affair.

On the record, Bieber admits that he is constantly in a “battle” with himself, but the levity offered by the comedic skits provides some necessary context. This is the mental and emotional space Justin lives in, and no one’s better than Bieber to convey this to his fans.

Touring is now on the minds of many Bieber fans who believe the album will receive more traction, and a tour announcement would not be a surprise to anyone. The singer’s camp, however, is staying mum. When contacted by Rolling Stone, Frontier Touring confirmed that it has “no information” about the tour.

Justin Bieber canceled his Justice World Tour in 2022 due to health reasons. This would be his first since the abrupt announcement, but it would also be his first tour since starting a family. One of the first whispers is an Australian tour, but there’s no official word from anyone.

Justin Bieber DMX Full Video Interview

For now, it seems that he’s happy to enjoy the simpler things in life — quieter moments that require deep introspection. He’s still Justin, sure, but with fatherhood, faith, and a maturing artistry, it seems that Bieber is now fine with saying very little and turning up quietly and authentically. If his latest IG story is any indication, he’ll share almost anything so long as it aligns with who he is in the moment.