Pop Icon Justin Bieber Shares DMX’s Thoughts on Sobriety and God

Justin Bieber has once again drawn public attention after reposting an enigmatic video on Instagram that some view as a veiled statement about his perspective on drug use. On Sunday, the 31-year-old international pop sensation shared an impassioned clip from an old 2013 episode of Iyanla: Fix My Life in which the late rapper DMX is seen speaking to motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant.

During the interview, the mother of four asks the rapper if he wants to be sober. In characteristically blunt style, DMX replies: “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” Vanzant explains that sobriety makes an individual “a clear, pure vessel for the voice of God.” To this, DMX boldly says, “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God.”

Justin Bieber, for his part, added no explanation for reposting the video. However, he also didn’t post the video from his story feed — he simply shared it on his feed from the story of a Los Angeles-based cannabis dispensary called Gassy. Within moments, social media users and the media began publishing their reactions and theories on the purpose of Bieber’s poignant DMX video.

Was Bieber making a personal statement on his own beliefs on marijuana, or was it simply meant to provoke a debate over the relationship between freedom of choice, faith, and sobriety? Either way, it would fit with Bieber’s candor in recent years on the evolution of his own beliefs and his experience of faith and religion. Since then, he has shared his testimony on God and his engagement with Churchome (the church founded by pastor Judah Smith) several times.

Reaction to Video Post, Legalization, and Bieber’s Career Shift

In the minds of many, the video post from Bieber also came on the heels of an otherwise more “laid-back” approach to recreational marijuana. He’s shared images of himself holding a bong and a plume of smoke on Instagram. He’s also shared videos with marijuana-esque jokes, and while some fans have expressed alarm, it’s worth remembering that recreational marijuana is completely legal in California — Justin Bieber’s home state, where he lives with his wife, Hailey Bieber, and new baby son, Jack Blues Bieber.

At the same time, fans and the media may be surprised to know that Bieber’s representative shot down claims in February that he was abusing any illegal substances. In a statement to TMZ, Bieber’s rep asserted, “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true. It’s completely false and ridiculous.” They continued, “Justin is in one of the best places in his life. He is focused and happy being a father, making music, and creating art.”

In a related statement about the changes in Bieber’s life over the last year, his representative noted that the singer also underwent a seismic shift that included the end of some long-held friendships and business partnerships that didn’t serve him. These internal changes now seem to also be reflected in his work.

On July 11, Justin Bieber surprised fans by dropping his seventh studio album, Swag, which is being met with a very warm reception. Swag is a deeply personal project that touches on his evolution, his love for Hailey, and his new role as a father. Unexpectedly, the record also has some comedy bits with internet personality Druski. Druski leads Bieber through “therapy sessions” on the album that showcase a side of the singer that is often left unexplored.

It is through this prism of humor and introspection that one gets the sense that Justin Bieber is entering a new chapter in his career. In Swag, he is no longer afraid to be honest with his fans or himself, even if it is at the risk of courting controversy. It’s not just an album full of catchy songs — Swag is a portrait of where Bieber is in his life right now.

Although no official touring plans have been announced for the new album yet, some sources have reported a potential Australia leg of the tour. When contacted by Rolling Stone, Frontier Touring denied having any such knowledge, stating that it has “no information” on an upcoming tour. Bieber’s last world tour, the Justice tour, was canceled halfway through in 2022 due to health reasons.

However, fans remain hopeful. With a new album, a focus on his family, and a newly developed sense of self, Bieber could return to the stage very soon. If so, it will be with more focus, clarity, and intent than ever before.

Whether it was intended to be a statement or simply something that Bieber himself enjoyed, the DMX video was yet another example of Justin Bieber making news without uttering a single word — and that, of course, may have been exactly the point.