Is Bieber Hinting at a Deeper Message With His DMX Video Share?

Justin Bieber has been in the hot seat for years, but his latest Instagram story has divided fans of the singer, without him even saying a word. Bieber, who shared a video over the weekend, brought up the subjects of sobriety, spirituality, and personal preference, all with a repost of a nearly 13-year-old video clip.

On Sunday, the 31-year-old singer reposted a nine-second video clip that immediately went viral. In the original video, Rapper DMX is in an intense meeting with life coach and talk show host Iyanla Vanzant. Taken from a 2013 episode of Iyanla: Fix My Life, the conversation between Vanzant and DMX centers around addiction and getting sober.

The line in the clip that had people commenting was Vanzant’s question to DMX about “living your life as a clean man.” “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” The life coach responded with a question of her own: “Because you become a clear, pure vessel for the voice of God.” The rapper calmly responds, “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God.”

Bieber, who has 303 million followers, shared the clip from the Los Angeles-based cannabis company Gassy, which has 11.3 million Instagram followers. His post had no caption, no thoughts, nothing.

He simply shared the video and left it at that.

But sometimes what a person doesn’t say can be just as powerful as their words. Followers and social media watchers were quick to call out Bieber’s intentions in reposting the DMX clip, citing the singer’s interest in Christianity, sobriety, and his journey in recent years.

Fans of the singer took the repost as a way for Bieber to relate to the former Baddest Motherf***er, who at one point openly discussed his faith in God and spirituality, and without it.

Others took the video repost as a more personal way for Bieber to relate to his own choices with marijuana use.

Bieber’s Beliefs, Buddies, and Being a Dad

Sobriety and faith have always been in the spotlight with Bieber. The singer has had no qualms in the past sharing his struggles with mental health, drugs, and burnout. He has long since stated that it was his Christian faith that brought him back from the darkness. Bieber is often very public about his friends with Churchome pastor Judah Smith. Bieber has not shied away from social media to share messages about his walk with faith.

For Bieber, becoming a father may be shifting the spotlight yet again. He and his wife, Hailey Bieber, welcomed their son Jack Blues Bieber almost a year ago. In conversations with those close to the singer, he has been described as much calmer and more even-keeled, according to Insider. But despite the glowing reviews of the father of one, questions remain over his lifestyle.

Fans have pointed to social media posts where Bieber appears with bongs in his hands or surrounded by dense smoke. While the sight is not what some would consider model fatherhood, the team behind the star is quick to shut down any claims that the singer is dabbling in illegal or reckless behavior.

In February, a representative for Bieber told TMZ, “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true. He is currently in one of the best places in his life, focusing on being a husband, a father, working on music, and just enjoying life.” The rep continued, “Justin just completed a very transformative year in which he evolved into his highest self. He made decisions to end some longstanding business and personal partnerships with people he no longer feels the same about or who are on the same path.”

Not to mention that marijuana for recreational use is legal in the state of California, Bieber’s home. So while the former Baby Face may fuel social media conversations, it doesn’t make his behavior illegal.

Music, Maturity, and More

The DMX Instagram post was only days after Justin Bieber released a surprise album, Swa,g on July 11, 2024. The album has been praised with strong reviews from fans and critics, noting it showed a level of maturity not only as an artist but as a person who has been navigating the world of fame, marriage, and fatherhood. Swag is a deeply personal album, touching on love for his wife Hailey, to his evolution as a father. Bieber is 31 years old and even after one year of fatherhood, he still balances his songs with comedy, providing fans with an inside look at his own mental and emotional state.

Sprinkled between the music are “therapy sessions” with social media star Druski in skits that are equal parts hilarious and vulnerable. The back and forth over several tracks shows a transparent (yet with humor) side of Bieber that many may not know.

The album was only released days before, and rumors of a tour are already swirling. Sources have reported that an Australian tour is in the works but hasn’t been confirmed. When Rolling Stone reached out for comment, Frontier Touring replied, “We have no information on this.”

The tour would be Bieber’s first since his Justice World Tour in 2022 was cancelled due to the pop star being “physically and mentally unable to perform.” The tour was postponed before tickets were even on sale, with Bieber citing exhaustion and a shoulder injury at the time.

It remains to be seen whether Bieber plans to tour again. But for now, it seems like the father of one is enjoying a more scaled-back life. Fatherhood, faith, and artistic freedom have the pop star diving into a more authentic chapter of his life. If his latest Instagram video is any indication, Bieber isn’t holding back on what he posts, even if it might cause more questions than answers.