Is Bieber Teasing a Tour or Just Being Reflective? Fans Aren’t Sure

Justin Bieber reignited the conversation around drug use, sobriety, and personal freedoms this past Sunday, without saying a single word. The 31-year-old singer shared a reposted video clip on Instagram without any commentary or explanation. The video itself, which was originally shared by a Los Angeles-based marijuana dispensary, caught fans’ attention immediately. The two-minute video features a brief exchange from a 2013 episode of Iyanla: Fix My Life between the late rapper DMX and life coach Iyanla Vanzant.

The now viral DMX Instagram post goes back to a moment on the episode where the late rapper DMX has a fiery response to life coach Iyanla Vanzant. “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” he asked. Vanzant continued to explain to DMX that if he remained sober and in control, he could become “a clear, pure vessel for the voice of God.” To this, the former Def Jam artist said, “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God.”

In the post, Bieber didn’t share any caption or context around sharing DMX’s clip. Fans of the Bieb went into wild speculations on whether Bieber was making a direct comment on his own religious beliefs or simply decided to repost a DMX Instagram video that resonated with him. Either way, the timing of the post and the video’s source, as well as his known religious beliefs, only fueled new online content that explained the possible ‘messages’ behind the post.

Faith, Family, and Shifting Priorities

For the better part of his career, Justin Bieber hasn’t been shy to share his spirituality. In fact, for many years, he’s been outspoken about his strong Christian beliefs and a solid relationship with Churchome pastor Judah Smith. The rappers’ deep-rooted belief has been one of the many aspects of his public persona and personal evolution as he matured from a teen sensation to a man, husband, and now father.

He and his wife, Hailey Bieber, welcomed their first child, Jack Blues Bieber, to the world nearly a year ago. Around that time, according to his representatives, fatherhood became a major part of the singer’s life and has given him a solid priority shift. Although some of the Bieb’s fans had concerns about the star’s wellness and appearance after a few posts he shared in the last few months, many worried about him using social media to “joke around with bongs and smoke clouds,” his team has categorically denied that the singer had a drug problem.

In February this year, the Bieb’s rep spoke with TMZ about the rumors, telling the outlet that, “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true.” The rep continued by telling the outlet that the singer is in “one of the best places in his life.” It is reported that Bieber is also “growing and shifting, focusing on his family and putting music out, and just kind of moving away from people and business relationships that are no longer a fit.”

As much as being a parent has been part of Bieber’s life in the last year, it is also important to note that smoking weed is not illegal in California. The Biebers live in Calabasas, and therefore, smoking is legal. While the pictures of him with a bong may make fans ask questions or seem odd to some, it is neither illegal nor something the singer would be reprimanded for.

A New Album and Possible Tour Date

While the Instagram post will likely spark more debate and online content, the Bieb is back with the success of his new album, which he dropped this past Sunday, July 11. The singer’s seventh studio album, Swag, was critically acclaimed from start to finish. A rollercoaster of vulnerability, self-reflection, and goofy moments, the 16-track album features the singer doing a comedic skit with internet personality Druski, 19. The two’s interlude between each song takes fans on a humorous yet vulnerable journey as Bieber and Druski role-play a series of therapy sessions.

Justin’s playfulness — but sometimes very real — words make you wonder what might be true, while at other times, you laugh at the absurdity of some of the lyrics. In one of the skits with Druski, Justin makes it clear that the moments and songs on the album are a personal reflection.

“The past is done. The future is next year,” he said. “I want to live today, and when I do that, there’s nothing better than these 16 songs. When I can be in the moment, there’s nothing better, man.”

A few of the songs on the new album, notably “Holy Holy,” directly talk about his past, relationship with Hailey, and being a father to his son, Jack.

The first two singles, “Peaches” and “MLK Freestyle,” both featuring the 2019 Grammy winner, gave Justin a taste of what the rest of the album was like. Most songs focus on Bieber’s ongoing internal conflict while struggling with and reflecting on his past, while reassuring his wife of his commitment to her and his new role as a father.

With the album coming in as a great success, fans are left with even more questions. Will Justin be on tour soon? Rumor has it that there could be a tour coming to Australia. But so far, neither the singer nor Frontier Touring, who once managed Bieber’s 2013 World Tour, has confirmed any new dates for Australia. Rolling Stone reached out to the Australian-based company for clarification, and it responded by saying that it currently has “no information” about any planned tour or even a 2024 Australian tour.

Fans are left hanging in the dark since the singer also canceled the rest of the Justice World Tour in 2022 due to health concerns. But with how well his new album has been received and his statements from those who know him closely, a new tour by Bieber would give him a second chance and even a whole new chapter.

It is safe to say that Justin Bieber is taking each day as it comes. He’s making music that resonates with his ongoing evolution and reflection as a father, husband, and artist while being there with his family as much as he can. Whatever the case may be with this new Instagram post, Bieber did it again and got the whole internet talking about it.