Justin Bieber is an international pop singer who has attracted millions of fans worldwide. He has released several chart-topping albums and music videos, and has made appearances on a number of television shows and movies. He has also endorsed several products, including the skin-care product Proactiv. He is estimated to be worth $285 million.
Bieber was born in London, Ontario, Canada. His mother, Pattie Mallette, worked a series of jobs to support the family. As a child, he showed a facility for singing and took piano and drum lessons. In 2007, he competed in a local singing contest by performing a cover of Ne-Yo’s “So Sick.” His mother uploaded the video to YouTube, where it became a viral hit. The following year, she helped him sign a recording contract with RBMG Records.
In 2009, the album My World was released and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making Bieber the youngest male solo artist to achieve that feat. The single “Baby,” which features rapper Ludacris, was a worldwide hit. A second album, My World 2.0, followed in March 2010 with a more mature sound and a greater emphasis on R&B elements.
The video for this song, which combines elements of hip hop and dance, featured Bieber and members of the New Zealand ReQuest Dance Crew performing in a studio and on an urban playground with graffiti writing lining walls. The choreography was by New Zealand dancer Parris Goebel. The video was directed by Emile Hirsch and produced by Paul Brown, who has also worked with the likes of Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Usher.
Bieber is a global brand, and has partnered with companies such as Polo Ralph Lauren and Adidas. He has also launched his own clothing line, Justin Bieber Believe. The company has reported yearly revenues in excess of $100 million.
In April 2011, a video of Bieber smoking marijuana in Stratford, Ontario, went viral on YouTube and generated widespread media coverage. The video was subsequently removed, but the damage was done. Despite receiving considerable backlash, Bieber continued to rise in popularity, and by the end of 2011, he had become one of the most popular young musicians in the world.
In 2013, he topped the charts with his fourth studio album, Purpose, which featured a variety of musical styles. The album spawned three Top 10 hits, including the soaring “Sorry,” which juxtaposes his frustrated crooning against heaven-sent, looped cries. Other highlights of the record included collaborations with EDM wizard Skrillex, electro-pop architect BloodPop and hit machine Benny Blanco. Bieber’s first chart-topping song of 2015, “What Do You Mean?” a rancorous cut that updated his guy-and-guitar setup, and the breezy “Despacito,” a No. 1 collaboration with Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Luis Fonsi, the most-watched YouTube clip of all time. The song spent 16 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100. Its success has led to an international remix album, titled Despacito: The Remixes.