[JACQUES]There’s no denying the star power of Justin Bieber once he touches a song.
The Biebs hasn't released a full-length album since 2015’s “Purpose,” but has been
busy with notable features spanning multiple genres, including electronica, country, and
fancying himself a rapper.
[JACQUES]So we decided to take a look at Biebervelli’s best verses and his most influential features.
[JACQUES]Starting in 2010 when Bieber, then going by the rap alias Shawty Mane, tackled
Harlem’s Cam’Ron & Vado track “Speaking in Tungs” -- using then little known rapper
Torey Lanez’ words -- urging people to put some respect on his name.
[JACQUES]Back then, he said he was just trying something new, saying quote,
[JACQUES] "You know Justin Bieber is not a rapper, and it would just be lame if I came
out rapping.
It's lame anyway because I'm like a pop singer, but I thought it was funny.”
[JACQUES]Next, in 2011 Shawty Mane jumped on Jay Z & Kanye West’s “Otis,” where
he rapped about flaunting his jewelry.
[JACQUES]Later that year, he connected with Chris Brown for the braggadocious cut, “Ladies
Love Me.”
[JACQUES]But possibly the most popular Bieber verse is his melodic addition to Travis Scott’s
“Maria I’m Drunk” off of 2015’s ‘Rodeo.’
Going between rapping and singing, Bieber reflects on late nights in the studio.
[JACQUES]The song wasn’t available on streaming services until 2018, which Travis celebrated.
[JACQUES]“Maria I’m drunk can finally be stream.
It’s been a legit 4years don’t ask me what took so long !!! I’m just happy I can
listen to it.”
[JACQUES]But Bieber’s most impactful rap verse came on Maejor Ali & Juicy J’s 2013
track “Lolly,” where Justin raps about stealing ya girl.
[JACQUES]While Jay-Z, Kanye and Travis didn’t gain much from Bieber’s contributions,
“Lolly” was Maejor’s first and only Billboard Hot 100 hit - peaking at No. 19.
And Ali isn’t the only one to reach new heights with a Bieber feature.
[JACQUES]For instance, on longtime producer and songwriter Poo Bear’s single “Hard
2 Face Reality,” both the Biebs and reclusive rapper Jay Electronica show up.
[POO] "The idea came from Justin Bieber, and it was during a time where it was a lot of
you know a lot media coming down on him.
He went into the booth and the first thing that came out of his mouth was, 'Sometimes
it's hard to face reality.'
And then came and said, 'Hey I want you on this song.'
[JACQUES]It’s one of Poo’s most successful songs to date.
[JACQUES]And then there was also Bieber’s collaboration with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee
on the international Latin pop hit, “Despacito.”
The track stood atop the Billboard Hot 100 for a then-record setting 16 weeks - only
to be dethroned in 2019 by Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.”
[JACQUES]And sitting behind “Old Town Road” at the no.
2 spot for nine weeks was Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy.”
But with a little boost from a Bieber remix, the track snagged the no.
1 spot the following week.
[JACQUES]On Bieber’s latest feature he takes
country for a spin on Dan + Shay’s “10,000 Hours.”
The cut debuted at Justin and Hailey Baldwin’s wedding in October 2019 and has been a mainstay
on the Genius Top Songs Chart since.
It also debuted at no.
4 on the Billboard 100.
[JACQUES]Before Bieber, Dan + Shay’s highest
charting song was 2018’s “Tequilla,” which peaked at number 21 on the Hot 100.
[JACQUES]And while Justin’s only been on a handful of songs since his last album four
years ago, there’s a reason for his time off, as he explained, quote,
[JACQUES]“Just thinking about music stresses me out.
I’ve been successful since I was thirteen, so I didn’t really have a chance to find
who I was apart from what I did.
I just needed some time to evaluate myself.”
[JACQUES]But the newlywed seems to be in better spirits, in the studio and rapping again.
He even interpolated 50 Cent’s 2003 classic, “Many Men.”
[JACQUES]Bieber later admitted that he probably won’t ever officially release the song,
but he did hint at dropping a new project…
[JUSTIN] “Album coming out this year.
Another song coming out soon.”
[JACQUES]Time will only tell whether that holds up.
For now, let us know your favorite Beibervelli verse in the comments.
[JACQUES]I’m Jacques Morel with Genius news bringing you the meaning and the knowledge
behind the music. Peace!