‘Swag’ Era: Justin Bieber Reflects Through Music and Powerful Clips

Justin Bieber is back in the spotlight following a controversial Instagram post that many are taking as an indirect drug message. On Sunday, the 31-year-old multi-platinum pop singer reposted a video of a famous exchange between rapper DMX and a motivational speaker.

Taken from a 2013 season of the TV show Iyanla: Fix My Life, the clip shows motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant asking the late rapper if he would like to live sober. DMX, known for his candid and sometimes brash personality, doesn’t mince words. “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” he snaps at her.

She continues to challenge him on his drug use, even going as far as to say that not doing drugs makes a person “a clear, pure vessel for the voice of God.” “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God,” he shot back with a grin.

The singer took to Instagram to repost the viral video without any captions, a memeatic IG sticker, or even a comment of his own. Instead, he simply shared it from a Los Angeles-based weed dispensary called Gassy, starting a firestorm of fans and online publications guessing at his motives.

Justin Bieber reposts a video without comment. Source: Instagram/Justin Bieber

Some thought that the post was a clear indication of his stance on marijuana use, while others read it as an attempt to start a conversation around the issues of personal autonomy, sobriety, and faith. In either case, it’s a message that would not be out of character for Bieber.

Justin Bieber has long been vocal about his faith, often talking about it in interviews, on his social media accounts, and especially through his Churchome community — a network of churches pastored by the late pastor Judah Smith, a close friend of the singer.

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Still, many are taking Bieber’s post to be part of a more recent trend of the singer being less critical of himself and others around his recreational use of marijuana. In the months leading up to his latest Instagram post, he has taken to social media to document his use of bongs and smoke sessions in alarming regularity.

While these photos and videos may have caused panic among fans, recreational marijuana use has been fully legalized in the state of California, where Bieber currently lives with his wife, Hailey Bieber, and their 4-month-old son, Jack Bieber.

As a result, reports that he was using illegal drugs and partying non-stop (as he had been known to do during the earlier years of his fame) have been quashed earlier this year by the singer’s representative. Speaking to TMZ in February, the rep said, “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true.”

The statement added that he was currently “in one of the best places in his life” and was focusing on his music and being a dad. The rep had also stated that Justin had spent much of the last year going through “a huge period of change,” where he cut off friendships and business partnerships that had been in place for a long time.

This internal change has also manifested in his work, with the new album dropping this July, a reflection of this new period. On July 11, Bieber released his seventh album, Swag. To general fanfare and critical acclaim, the album charts his journey to this point, his love for his wife, and becoming a new parent.

In an unusual, yet unsurprisingly daring move, the record also contains a series of comedy bits featuring social media personality Druski. Serving as a guide of sorts, the comedian weaves Justin through several “therapy sessions,” revealing an unguarded and introspective Bieber. This healthy dose of self-aware humor in what is otherwise a remarkably consistent collection of pop songs seems to indicate a new chapter for Bieber.

One that’s ready to court controversy and also be refreshingly honest with his fanbase and the public. Swag appears to be a very clear document of where Justin is at emotionally and spiritually.

Whether or not there will be an official tour to support the new record remains unconfirmed, though rumors of a second leg in Australia have been making the rounds online. Rolling Stone also reached out to Frontier Touring, the booking agency for that leg, but they were quick to respond that they have “no information” at this point.

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Fans, however, have hope. Bieber is on top of the world with a brand-new record, he’s been sober and focused, and he’s now a father. In addition, the man also has a new sense of self. In an Instagram post in December, Bieber revealed that, in the past year, he had let go of long-time friendships and cut ties with business partners, while also growing into his voice.

All this means that a comeback tour is not out of the question, even if only to support a new record. If he does decide to come back, it will be a tour unlike any other, showing the world a more focused, clear-headed Bieber.

However, he decides to roll out. What’s clear is that Justin Bieber is in a new place, one where even an indirect drug message has fans talking. Whether the DMX post was meant as an official statement or simply a random IG post that he wanted to share, Bieber once again has the public talking without even having to say anything — and this may have been the point all along.