Bieber Sparks Debate With DMX Video About Sobriety and Spirituality

Justin Bieber left fans speculating this weekend after sharing a video on Instagram that may or may not have been a passive-aggressive dig at marijuana use.

The 31-year-old singer, who is allegedly “in the final stages of plotting” a new tour, shared a video on Sunday featuring rapper DMX in an intense conversation with spiritual teacher Iyanla Vanzant. The clip, which originally aired on Iyanla: Fix My Life in 2013, captures DMX as he ponders the nature of sobriety.

As Vanzant asks the rapper, “Do you want to live your life as a clean man?” DMX, who had a well-documented history of legal and drug issues in life as well as an obvious affinity for spirituality, replies with a pointed question of his own: “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” When Vanzant tells him that he would be a “clear, pure vessel for the voice of God” if he were sober, DMX responds matter-of-factly, “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God.”

No Comment From Bieber, But Why’d He Post It?

The celebrity often shares his faith-driven journey with fans and refers to the radical change he credits to his religious practice. The singer has a longstanding relationship with Churchome pastor Judah Smith. But fans couldn’t help but question the recent Instagram Story in light of Bieber’s spiritual image.

After posting the video clip, Bieber did not add a comment or explanation. He reposted the video from an L.A.-based cannabis dispensary Instagram page, “Gassy,” with no further context, causing more confusion and speculation about the singer’s perspective on drug use.

Amid Concerns for His Well-Being

No one seems to know what Bieber’s answer to the question might be today, though many believe that he has been quietly tending to his mental and physical health over the past few years. He has posted several photos over the last year with bongs and smoking paraphernalia. Many of those photos have led to public concern for his well-being after his well-documented struggles with anxiety and other health issues resurfaced recently.

California resident Bieber, who is married to Hailey Bieber and has a son, Jack Blues Bieber, who turns one this month, can legally smoke weed recreationally. However, a spokesperson for the singer said in February that Bieber “does not do illegal drugs.”

In a statement to TMZ, the singer’s rep said, “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true.” The rep also emphasized that the artist is “in one of the best places in his life.”

The rep went on, “He’s truly present and fully engaged in being a father while also working on music every day.”

The rep concluded by saying that “the past year has been a very transformative time for Justin” and that he “removed himself from several business relationships as well as relationships with friends that he thought were positive but ultimately were not serving him in this new season of his life.”

In ‘One of the Best Places’, But Becoming ‘Self-Aware’

In addition to concern for Bieber’s well-being over the past year, fans have also had to wonder about his honesty when it comes to his faith. Last July, the singer shocked fans with the surprise drop of his seventh studio album, Swag, on July 11.

The album earned near-universal critical praise and is an eclectic mix of new-wave pop, throwback hip-hop, and storytelling about his wife, son, and life growing up. Many tracks on the album also reference the time he was going through “dark times,” but now refers to as “past life.”

Fans also get a glimpse of Bieber’s personality through the album’s self-aware humor. Tracks featuring the “therapy sessions” with social media personality Druski poke fun at Bieber’s ongoing self-improvement journey while also addressing his mental health challenges.

Fans have already pointed out many of his deep cuts on the album and now have a new mystery to unpack: Is Bieber taking back control of his narrative, or is he subversively rejecting expectations of him as a sober and religious family man?

Will Bieber Tour Again? Fans Hope So

Fans are still trying to read between the lines of Bieber’s most recent move on social media. And this recent leak has also sparked some tour rumors. Fans are hopeful as to Bieber will tour Australia, but neither the singer nor Frontier Touring has confirmed dates for a possible tour.

Rolling Stone reports that the company said that they currently had “no information” on the possible announcement of any tour dates in Australia. If he does decide to go on tour again, it would be the first time since his Justice World Tour, which was cut short in 2022. Bieber had to pause the world tour after several medical issues that caused him to drop dates.

Swag marks the singer’s first full-length album since 2020’s Justice, which also quickly sold out of tickets on a worldwide tour. Fans may soon get their answer as to whether he is embarking on another world tour, but in the meantime, they can at least enjoy the new Swag album on full blast.