Justin Bieber Reflects on God, Sobriety Through DMX Video

Justin Bieber has somehow managed to keep his name in the headlines again after posting a cryptic video on Instagram that fans and media outlets are claiming is a not-so-subtle nod to the singer’s stance on drugs. Last Sunday, the 31-year-old international pop star reposted a video from a 2013 episode of Iyanla: Fix My Life that shows a conversation between motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant and the late rapper DMX.

In the video, Vanzant is heard bluntly asking DMX if he wants to be sober. The “X Gon’ Give It to Ya” rapper replies with a no-nonsense: “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” She then goes on to say that not doing drugs will make someone “a clear, pure vessel for the voice of God,” to which DMX quickly responds, “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God.”

Justin Bieber posted the video without any captions or commentary of his own. However, a rep for the singer quickly put the rumors to rest earlier in the year after TMZ published a report that claimed Bieber was “burning out” from abusing illegal drugs. In a February statement to the outlet, Bieber’s rep wrote, “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true.” They continued, adding, “Justin is in one of the best places in his life he’s been in for a very long time. He’s raising his son and working on new music.”

The rep also added that Bieber experienced “a cleansing period” over the last year. This came in the form of “the loss of friendships, business partnerships, and several things of this nature” that he felt were standing in the way of the next phase of his life. From the outside, it looks like Bieber is taking that next step in more ways than one.

In addition to public controversies and his social media feuds with the likes of Pete Davidson, Bieber surprised fans last month with the release of his seventh studio album, Swag. The new record explores various themes that were hinted at by his most recent IG post: personal growth, love for his wife Hailey Bieber, and fatherhood. In a surprisingly meta twist, the record also features comedy interludes with social media personality Druski, in which he gives the pop star a series of faux “therapy sessions.”

With the 15-track record, Bieber can be honest about things that he’s never quite been able to talk about in the past. So far, the singer’s transformation has been a positive one. And with a new record out, a renewed focus on family, and a deeper understanding of his identity, Justin Bieber may be on his way to hitting the road again.

Although the singer has yet to confirm any plans for a new tour to promote Swag, recent rumors have pointed to a new Australian leg. However, when Rolling Stone reached out to Frontier Touring about the matter, they denied any knowledge about a tour or upcoming dates. “We have no information” about a tour, a Frontier Touring rep said.

In any case, Bieber’s last world tour, Justice, was cancelled midway through last year due to the singer’s health issues. As a result, fans are now turning their attention to the album in the hope that it’s another sign that the “Baby” singer is once again on the up-and-up.

Whether or not the DMX video was meant as a direct nod to his beliefs or was simply a post that spoke to him on a deeper level, Bieber has found a way to make headlines without actually saying a word. Once again.