DMX on Sobriety and God: Why Bieber’s Post Has Everyone Talking

Justin Bieber is making headlines yet again, after he shared a cryptic video on Instagram that many believe is an indirect message about his personal beliefs around drug use. On Sunday, the 31-year-old international pop star reposted an old clip from an episode of Iyanla: Fix My Life. The video is from a 2013 episode of the show and shows a vulnerable moment between rapper DMX and motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant.

Throughout the exchange, Vanzant asks DMX if he’s looking to live a sober life, to which the rapper responds, “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” Vanzant counters with, “You could be a clear, pure vessel for the voice of God.” To which he replies, “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God.”

Bieber shared the video with no caption or explanation, only reposting the video from the Instagram account for a Los Angeles-based cannabis company called Gassy. Fans and the media began to speculate almost immediately following the post, however.

Is the post a signal of Bieber’s own beliefs about marijuana? Is it a challenge to those views? Or perhaps it’s meant as a commentary on personal freedom, God, and sobriety — something that we know Justin has been very open about in the past. Either way, it’s nothing new for the former child star, who for years has been vocal about his relationship with God, his journey with faith, and his membership with the Churchome church community, led by pastor Judah Smith.

Public Perception, Recreational Use, and New Album Justin

Bieber’s post has also led to some speculation about the singer’s current and more relaxed attitude toward recreational marijuana. The star has posted images of himself with bongs and smoke over the last several months, much to the chagrin of some of his fans. It’s important to note, however, that recreational use of cannabis is now completely legal in California — Justin Bieber’s home state. He has been living in California with his wife Hailey Bieber and their new son Jack Blues Bieber.

That being said, earlier this year Bieber’s rep came out and denied rumors that he was abusing any illegal drugs. In a February statement to TMZ, a rep for Bieber said, “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true.” They also shared that Bieber was “in one of the best places in his life. He’s extremely happy being a dad, is in a very healthy space, and is focused on this album.”

The rep also said that the singer went through a huge transformation over the past year, part of which included ending longtime friendships and business relationships that “did not line up with his beliefs, his wife, his journey, and his vision.” This shift is also reflected in the music that he has released over the past several months.

On July 11, Bieber dropped his seventh studio album, Swag, to critical praise. The album is a masterful reflection of his growth as an artist and as a person. On Swag, Bieber sings about self-improvement, his love for his wife Hailey, his new journey into fatherhood, and more. In a humorous twist, Bieber also shares “therapy sessions” in the form of comedy interludes with social media influencer Druski. In the calls with Druski, Bieber is refreshingly honest and vulnerable, something that is often left out in mainstream media coverage of the star.

Between the album and his post on Sunday, it’s clear that Bieber is on a path to something new. He’s not afraid to be honest, controversial, or to speak his truth — and for that, we commend him. Swag is a successful and meaningful album from a pop artist that really should be celebrated as such.

It’s also unknown whether Justin has any concrete plans to tour for the album. Earlier this year, rumors spread about a possible Australian leg to a future tour, but when Rolling Stone reached out to Frontier Touring, a representative responded that they had “no information” about future dates. Justin’s last world tour, the Justice tour, was cut short in 2022 for reasons of his failing health.

Fans will just have to wait and see. For now, he seems to be spending his time at home with his wife and son, and in the studio. For an artist who was only recently coming back from controversy and malaise, he seems to have a new perspective. Swag is just the beginning.