Bieber Posts DMX Interview as He Navigates Fatherhood and Faith

Justin Bieber may have just made a public statement about his personal feelings on drugs without even saying a word. On Sunday, the 31-year-old pop star shared a reposted clip of a 2013 episode of Iyanla: Fix My Life to his Instagram Story. The video features a no-holds-barred discussion between motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant and late rapper DMX.

During the segment, Vanzant asks DMX if he truly wanted to live sober. “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” he bluntly asked in response. After she further explains to the rapper that being sober can allow a person to be “a clear, pure vessel for the voice of God,” the rapper quickly replies, “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God.”

Justin Bieber posted the video with no caption or accompanying commentary — and reposted it from the account of a Los Angeles-based cannabis store called Gassy. While Bieber didn’t add any of his own words to the post, many of the comments in the video’s original post were replies directed to him.

Fans were quick to point out that the episode from the show, which first aired 10 years ago this year, featured the now-iconic rapper DMX in the starkest and most sincere way many had seen him on television. Fans and reporters speculated about the post immediately, with some directly asking Bieber if the post was his way of indirectly stating his feelings on marijuana. While Bieber is known to have his take on a lot of things, one thing he’s never held back from was being vocal about his relationship with God and his journey of faith.

The Canadian singer has talked about going to church with his friends and the positive effect it has had on his life. He has also shared about his affiliation with Churchome, a spiritual non-denominational community led by pastor Judah Smith.

Fans Weigh In, Recreational Cannabis Legal in California, and Bieber’s New Album

The video was also interpreted by some to also be about Justin Bieber’s recent reappearances on social media, specifically his laid back relationship with marijuana, but the fact of the matter is that marijuana is entirely legal in California, the state Bieber lives in with his wife, Hailey Bieber, and their infant son, Jack Blues Bieber.

Social media rumors and speculation continued last year, with claims that Bieber was abusing illegal substances. A representative for Bieber addressed these rumors earlier this year, per TMZ. “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true,” the rep told TMZ in February. “He is in one of the best places in his life, and is continuing to focus on being a good father and on his music.”

The statement continued, saying that Bieber had done a significant shift internally over the last year, and that that had included “ending friendships and business relationships that are no longer in alignment with him and his values.” Fans may have also noticed this transition. On July 11, Bieber dropped his seventh studio album, Swag. The album received an overwhelmingly positive reception, with many listeners feeling the truth and emotion in his vocals, his lyrical content of personal growth and his love for his wife, and his experiences as a new parent. Comedian Druski is also featured throughout the album on interludes in which he engages in make-believe “therapy sessions” with Bieber.

Fans have also seen this type of introspective honesty and humor in some of the deeper cuts from Bieber’s 2020 album Justice. The overall effect of the album and its supplementary material leaves the listener with the distinct impression that Justin Bieber is ushering in a new phase in his life and career. He is no longer afraid to be completely honest about everything and show every part of his life. And to some, the choice to share this DMX moment on social media in no uncertain terms seems like a perfect way for the pop superstar to also express himself without using his own words.

A lot has changed for Bieber since his last world tour, Justice, was abruptly canceled in 2022 after several dates for health reasons. At this time, there are no official statements about an album tour in the works. There were earlier reports that there would be an Australian leg of a tour in the coming months. When Rolling Stone reached out to Frontier Touring for clarification, a spokesperson replied that they had “no information” about the rumored tour dates. Still, Bieber and his team have seemingly made good on their promise for new music with Swag, and fans will be hopeful to hear the new album on tour.