A Canadian singer whose music reaches across generations, Justin Bieber rose from an online-sensation start to selling out arenas and becoming the youngest male artist to have four songs reach number one on the Billboard 200. His 2011 album, My World, was certified platinum in the United States and earned him two Grammy awards, including Best Pop Song for “Baby.” Bieber was born in Stratford, Ontario, and raised by his single mother. He learned to play drums, piano and guitar at a young age and took part in a local talent show as a 12-year-old. After coming in second in the competition, his mother posted videos of him singing popular rhythm-and-blues (R&B) songs accompanied by acoustic guitar on YouTube, which quickly went viral.
The videos, along with Bieber’s boyish good looks and wholesome image, endeared him to fans worldwide. The success of his debut album prompted him to go on an international tour, but it also brought him more unwanted attention. He was involved in a scuffle with a limousine driver, had his house searched by police and drew paternity suits filed by women several years older than him.
As he matured into his 20s, Bieber seemed intent on cleaning up his act and avoiding embarrassing incidents. However, he continued to draw scrutiny for questionable behavior and had several run-ins with the law. In January 2014, his home was searched by police after he allegedly threw eggs at a neighbor’s house. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI and resisting arrest without violence and released after he paid $2,500 in bail.
On his seventh studio album, Purpose, released in late 2018, the pop star showcased an evolved sound that harkened back to his early days as a pop-singer while addressing grownup relationship complexities. With production and writing credits from a slew of 2010s heavy-hitters, including EDM wizard Skrillex, electro-pop architect BloodPop and hit machine Benny Blanco, the album produced three Top 10 hits, including the dance-floor-ready “What Do You Mean?” and the soaring “Sorry,” which contrasted Bieber’s frustrated crooning with heaven-sent, looped cries.
The deluxe version of Purpose includes a bonus disc with seven remixes, some of which were created by the producer of the album’s lead single, “What Do You Mean?” “Sorry,” in particular, demonstrates that the 21-year-old Bieber is still a force to be reckoned with in the contemporary pop landscape. As he continues to grow as a musician, his story will be told in more ways than ever before.