DMX, God, and Growth: Bieber’s Life Beyond the Headlines

Justin Bieber brought drug use, sobriety, and personal freedom back to the public discussion, without uttering a single word. On Sunday, the singer, 31, reposted a video on his Instagram, showing a famous scene from a 2013 episode of Iyanla: Fix My Life that immediately got people talking. A few months before his death in April 2021, the late rapper DMX had a deep and revealing conversation with the life coach and television host Iyanla Vanzant, which was caught on camera.

In the seven-second-long video that Bieber reposted, Vanzant asks DMX, “Are you willing to live as a clean man?” He quickly answers the question. “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” he asked. In her response, Vanzant explains that remaining sober would enable him to be “a clear, pure vessel for the voice of God.” “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God,” the rapper replied.

Bieber’s post does not have any caption or explanation as to why he chose to repost it on Sunday. The original video from DMX came from Gassy, the Instagram account of a Los Angeles-based marijuana dispensary, and now people are trying to analyze the singer’s repost to find out what he wants to say about sobriety or drugs. What do you think he meant by sharing that post? Read on to find out more about his relationship with faith, the rumors of him becoming a father, and future projects.

Justin Bieber’s Priorities Have Shifted Since the Birth of His Child

Bieber has been open about his spirituality in the past. He is known for his strong Christian faith and a tight-knit relationship with Churchome pastor Judah Smith, whom he’s worked with and sought counsel from for a number of years. The singer has built a great public image for himself and his family over the past couple of years after a wild early adulthood was followed by his transformation into a responsible adult, husband, and, as of recently, a father.

Bieber and his wife, Hailey, welcomed their first child, Jack Blues Bieber, almost a year ago. As his representatives have been quoted as saying in the past, the birth of the singer’s first son has resulted in a “big shift” in Bieber’s personal and career-related priorities. The singer has continued to record and work on new projects, but the time he spends with his wife and family has increased.

The singer has been looking at “business and personal relationships that have outlasted their purpose,” according to his reps. In February, a rep for the musician went on record to make sure that Bieber’s fans had a clear idea of his current state. Addressing the rumors that the singer has been “messing around with drugs and getting out of control,” the rep told TMZ that “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true.”

The rep went on to say that the “parents of two” were “in one of the best places in his life.” “Justin is focusing on his family, creating music, and moving away from things and people that do not align with his new purpose,” the rep explained.

Bieber Has Legal Access to Marijuana in California

It’s important to note that smoking marijuana in California — and Los Angeles, in particular, where Bieber lives — is not illegal, so the images of the singer puffing on a bong may be eyebrow-raising, but they do not constitute illegal or rebellious behavior. Bongs and image-watching have become very common these days. Legal recreational marijuana use is not a joke, and we are left to continue the discussion about balancing sobriety and personal freedom.

The Weeknd, Tyga, TrippieReddd, Alicia Keys, and several other celebrities have also been photographed holding or smoking from a bong, although some have gone on record to confirm that they do not use it. In the same statement, Bieber’s rep also pointed out that the singer was taking “lots of care” of his “mental, emotional, and physical health.”

New Album, Justice, and Possible Tour

The post about the rapper comes just a week after Bieber released his seventh studio album, Swag, which got positive reviews from many critics. On July 11, he dropped Swag, which consists of many honest and self-reflection songs and two comedy interludes with internet personality Druski, as he continues to deal with the pressures of fame and becoming a more centered person.

The funny conversations with Druski have been included to provide the audience with a lighter side of Bieber as the two act like a therapist and his patient. On the tracks, the 31-year-old Canadian star gets real, and sometimes extremely silly, about his life choices, relationships, fears, and his fame. A few songs on the new album reflect on Bieber’s personal history and experiences.

He sings about his past, how he has changed, his marriage to his wife, and being a good father to his son. He is using music to capture his current state of mind and self-discovery.

As Bieber’s fans are dying to know about the possibility of him going on tour after the great reception that his new album got, Bieber is rumored to tour Australia soon. The singer has not confirmed this, and neither has Frontier Touring, with whom the singer has had a long history of touring.

Rolling Stone reached out for a comment, and Frontier Touring responded that it currently has “no information” about the rumored Australian tour dates for Bieber. He had to cancel the Justice World Tour in 2022, after a series of rescheduled shows, because of his ongoing health concerns. Fans will just have to wait and see if the singer decides to take the stage soon.