What Bieber’s Shared DMX Clip Might Say About His Mindset

Justin Bieber is once again getting people talking after reposting a sobering video on Instagram that many think is a nod to the singer’s stance on the use of drugs. Bieber, who turned 31 on Sunday, shared a repost of a video from a 2013 episode of Iyanla: Fix My Life on Sunday, starring rapper DMX and inspirational speaker Iyanla Vanzant.

In the footage, Vanzant asks DMX if he wants to be sober. He, of course, responds bluntly: “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” She continues, telling DMX that if he were sober, he’d be “a clear, pure vessel for the voice of God.” The rapper quips back, “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God.”

Bieber, in true Bieber fashion, shared no caption to accompany the post. Instead, he simply reposted the video, shared by a Los Angeles-based cannabis company, Gassy. Still, social media — and media in general — lost their collective minds in the hours after the singer shared the video, many fans and outlets wondering if the post was his way of sharing a personal belief or his struggles with sobriety, weed use, or both.

Others, on the other hand, believe that Bieber is only looking to reignite a debate on free will, while another subset simply thinks that Bieber is unbothered by both cannabis and religion. If recent history is any indication, Bieber has zero problem speaking on faith, spirituality, and his relationship with God. The singer has done so often.

The Canadian has become particularly vocal about God over the years, even becoming a member of Churchome, a faith-based community under the guidance of Pastor Judah Smith. Bieber has even shared sermons from Smith on social media. As one might expect, public opinion has been mixed on Bieber and his legal use of recreational marijuana.

He posted several snaps of himself smoking out of bongs last month, drawing ire from some fans. Others were quick to remind them that recreational marijuana is 100 percent legal in the Golden State — a.k.a. Bieber’s home, where he lives with wife Hailey Bieber and their baby son, Jack Blues Bieber. Still, in an attempt to quell the internet’s theories over Bieber and potential drug use, a representative for the singer hit back at those questioning his behavior earlier this year.

In February, a rep for Bieber wrote to TMZ: “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true. He is in one of the best places in his life, raising his family, and excited to be back in the studio working on his new music.” The rep also stated that the star “completed a transformative year of change that saw him shed friendships and business partnerships of many years.”

As it turns out, this reportedly included both faith-based relationships as well as a now-viral visual Bieber removed from Instagram. Of course, this change has been reflected in the artist’s professional life as well, as he dropped his seventh studio album on July 11. Swag was received with acclaim, with its contents chronicling Bieber’s personal and spiritual journey over the years.

In interviews, he’s delved into this more personal side of Swag, including his marriage to Hailey and the birth of their son. However, in an unexpected move, the album also includes comedy segments with social media personality Druski. As it turns out, Druski is a therapist, and his interludes on Swag see the two in mock “therapy sessions” where the two have much back and forth.

On Swag, Druski digs deep into Bieber’s mind and asks him some rather probing questions, as Bieber also unloads on several current issues and his behavior, giving fans a much more candid look at who he is as a person. These sessions, as well as the music on Swag, seem to point to a new chapter in Bieber’s life and music, a change that no longer fears being honest or provocative.

And while the singer has yet to confirm any future tour dates, fans are especially hopeful for a potential Australian addition. When contacted by Rolling Stone, Frontier Touring wrote, “We have no information on any future Justin Bieber Australian tour dates.” Bieber’s last world tour, Justice World Tour, was canceled mid-run in 2022 due to his vocal health.

However, Bieber could not have asked for a better time to show up, as Swag has done its part, so we think that Bieber could hit the road at any moment. If his actions and new music are any indication, he’s entering a better, clearer space than he has in a long time.

Whether or not the DMX video was intended as a message by the pop star or not is unclear, but Bieber has, as he so often does, once again managed to reignite a conversation without uttering a single word. This time, it’s a sobering one, so stay tuned for more.