Justin Bieber Draws From DMX’s Wisdom in Reflective IG Post

Justin Bieber has placed drug use, sobriety, and freedom of choice back in the headlines, without uttering a single word. On Sunday, the 31-year-old singer reposted an old video of the late rapper DMX answering questions about sobriety on Instagram. The video, which was captured from a 2013 episode of Iyanla: Fix My Life, was reposted from Gassy, a Los Angeles-based marijuana dispensary.

In the video, the rapper can be heard telling life coach Iyanla Vanzant that he doesn’t have an interest in living as a “clean man” during their spiritual counseling session. “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” he asked Vanzant, who had been explaining to the rapper why he needed to live sober. When the therapist told him that it would make him a “clear, pure vessel for the voice of God,” he quickly shut her down. “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God,” he added.

As is always the case with his Instagram posts, Bieber did not share a caption, nor did he elaborate on why he posted it. The post led to fans speculating whether or not Bieber was speaking on his behalf. Is he serious about sobriety? Is he tired of being policed online? Was it an affirmation of his past self? Was it because he was relatable? All these questions have been at the front of fans’ minds. However, we do know he’s religious, so it was bound to get heads scratching.

Bieber has always been open about his spirituality and faith in God. In the past, he has revealed that he has a strong connection with Churchome pastor Judah Smith and is quite religious. His relationship with God has also been a major part of the singer’s evolution as a pop star, a husband, and a new father. He and his wife, Hailey Bieber, welcomed their first child, Jack Blues Bieber, nearly a year ago, and since then, his manager, Scooter Braun, and representatives have always maintained that he has had a major shift in his life priorities.

They have been quick to shut down rumors about his deteriorating health and rumors that he has taken to drugs after some Instagram posts of him with bongs and smoke going up in flames have been doing the rounds. In February, when the stories resurfaced, a representative of the Canadian singer told TMZ that he is not using hard drugs. “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true,” he said. “He’s in one of the best places in his life. He is focused on his family, on new music, and severing ties with people and business relationships that don’t support him.”

As already stated earlier, recreational marijuana use is also legal in California, where Bieber resides, so while the image of him in bed with a bong does indeed shock a lot of his fans, it is not illegal. It’s all a part of a more convoluted conversation a lot of celebrities are having over their individual choices and legality versus how they portray themselves.

As if the Instagram post wasn’t enough, Bieber recently dropped his seventh studio album on Friday, July 11. Titled Swag, the album has received mixed reviews from fans, but a lot of critics seem to be giving him props for his raw honesty on the album. The album, which is a mix of self-awareness, retrospection, and self-deprecating humor, also features Druski, an internet personality and friend. The two have recorded comedic interludes where they do what could pass as roleplay of Bieber’s therapy sessions. In the skits, they poke fun at Bieber’s every move, and sometimes he sounds sincere. He also lets out how hard life and fame have been, and reveals how he is dealing with life as a husband and father.

Songs on the album also dabble in past relationships, his marriage, and fatherhood. Bieber has remained tight-lipped about any plans for a tour. There are rumors that he will be touring in Australia, but neither he nor Frontier Touring has confirmed the same. Rolling Stone even reached out to Frontier Touring, and they promptly replied in the negative, saying that they currently have “no information” about any Australian tour dates. Fans had been thrown off balance by the news because Bieber had to cancel the rest of his Justice World Tour in 2022 after suffering some health setbacks.

The singer dropped hints on his album that he is ready to hit the road again, though, so we might just be getting a tour this year or next. But for now, the singer seems to be in a good place. He is happy in his marriage and as a parent to his baby boy. He is also focused on making music that speaks to his experience and maturity and keeping it 100% real.