Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber is a Canadian singer and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with estimated sales of over 150 million records. Discovered as a teenager through YouTube, he rose to global fame in the late 2000s and became a defining pop culture figure for his generation. His career, marked by significant image and musical reinventions, has produced numerous chart-topping albums and singles, setting several industry records. Bieber's success has made him a prominent Canadian cultural export, earning him multiple Juno Awards and a place among the most influential people in the world.
Early life and discovery
Justin Drew Bieber was born on March 1, 1994, in London, Ontario, and was raised primarily in Stratford by his single mother, Pattie Mallette. His parents, Jeremy Bieber and Mallette, were both 18 at the time of his birth and separated soon after. Bieber attended French-language immersion schools in Stratford, including Jeanne Sauvé Catholic School and Bedford Public School, before attending Stratford Northwestern Secondary School and later graduating from St. Michael Catholic Secondary School in 2012. In early 2007, at age 12, Bieber entered a local singing competition in Stratford, performing a cover of Ne-Yo's So Sick and placing in the top three. His mother posted a video of the performance on YouTube, and she continued to upload videos of him covering R&B songs, which gradually increased his popularity on the platform. During this period, Bieber also performed as a busker in front of Stratford's Avon Theatre.
In 2007, former music marketing executive Scooter Braun accidentally clicked on one of Bieber's YouTube videos while searching for another artist. Impressed, Braun located Bieber through his school and the theatre and contacted Mallette. After initial reluctance, she allowed the 13-year-old Bieber to travel to Atlanta, Georgia, with Braun to record demo tapes. Within a week, Bieber was auditioning for singer Usher. A joint venture called Raymond Braun Media Group (RBMG) was formed between Braun and Usher, and Bieber was signed to it. Usher then helped secure a label deal, and in October 2008, Bieber was signed to Island Records through a joint venture with RBMG. Chris Hicks, who helped engineer the audition with Island Def Jam's L.A. Reid, was appointed to an executive role at Def Jam to manage Bieber's career at the label. Bieber and his mother relocated to Atlanta to work with Braun and Usher, with Braun becoming his manager.
Breakthrough and teen idol era (2009 to 2011)
Bieber's career officially launched in 2009 with his first single, One Time, which reached number 12 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100. His debut extended play, My World, was released on November 17, 2009, and its success made Bieber the first artist to have seven songs from a debut album chart on the Billboard Hot 100. The EP was certified platinum in the US and double platinum in Canada and the UK. Promotion included performances on shows like The Ellen DeGeneres Show and a guest spot on the series True Jackson, VP. In late 2009, he performed Someday at Christmas for President Barack Obama and the First Lady at the White House for a televised Christmas special.
His debut studio album, My World 2.0, was released in 2010 and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, making Bieber the youngest solo male act to top that chart since Stevie Wonder in 1963. The lead single, Baby featuring Ludacris, became a global hit and, for a time, the most viewed and most disliked video on YouTube. Bieber began his first headlining tour, the My World Tour, in June 2010. That year, he also appeared as a guest star on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. In early 2011, the 3D concert film Justin Bieber: Never Say Never was released, grossing $99 million worldwide to become the highest-grossing concert film at the time. A companion remix album was also released. Later that year, Bieber released his second studio album, the Christmas record Under the Mistletoe, which became the first Christmas album by a male artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2011.
Musical evolution and global dominance (2012 to 2017)
Bieber's third studio album, Believe, marked a deliberate shift from teen pop toward dance-pop and R&B. Released in June 2012, it debuted at number one in the US and Canada. Its lead single, Boyfriend, debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and gave Bieber his first number one on the Canadian Hot 100. The subsequent singles As Long as You Love Me and Beauty and a Beat were also major hits. In January 2013, he released Believe Acoustic, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making him the first artist to have five US number one albums before turning 19. The accompanying Believe Tour began in September 2012. In late 2013, Bieber started a unique project called Journals, releasing a new song every Monday for ten weeks leading up to his second concert film, Justin Bieber's Believe. The Journals compilation was available for a limited digital purchase in late 2013 and early 2014.
A significant career resurgence began in 2015 with the EDM-infused single Where Are Ü Now, a collaboration with Jack Ü that won a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Recording. This set the stage for his fourth studio album, Purpose. Its lead single, What Do You Mean?, debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Bieber the youngest solo male artist to achieve that feat. The subsequent singles Sorry and Love Yourself also reached number one, giving Bieber three chart-toppers from one album. Purpose was released in November 2015 and debuted at number one. In January 2016, Bieber made history by occupying the top three positions on the UK singles chart simultaneously with Love Yourself, Sorry, and What Do You Mean?. He also featured on the 2017 global hit Despacito by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, which tied the record for the most weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The Purpose World Tour started in March 2016.
Later albums and continued success (2020 to present)
After a hiatus, Bieber returned with his fifth studio album, Changes, in February 2020. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making Bieber the youngest solo artist to achieve seven US number one albums at that time. Its single Yummy peaked at number two on the Hot 100. In March 2021, he released his sixth studio album, Justice, which also debuted at number one, extending his record to eight US number one albums. The album's singles Peaches and Stay (with The Kid LAROI) both reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Justice incorporated pop and R&B elements and featured collaborations with artists like Daniel Caesar and Giveon. Following another break, Bieber released two new studio albums in 2025, titled Swag and Swag II, marking his seventh and eighth official album releases.
Artistry and public image
Justin Bieber's music has evolved significantly from the teen pop of his early work to incorporate a wide range of genres including R&B, EDM, acoustic, and dance-pop. His vocal style matured alongside his public image, which transformed from a clean-cut teen idol to a more adult artist with the Purpose era. This reinvention was crucial to sustaining his career beyond initial teen fandom. Bieber's management under Scooter Braun and his early association with Usher provided a foundation in contemporary R&B and pop markets. His use of social media, particularly YouTube, was instrumental in his discovery and has remained a key component of his connection with fans. Over the years, Bieber has been open about his personal struggles, including mental health challenges, which have been reflected in his later music and public statements.
Bieber's influence extends beyond music into fashion and popular culture. He has been a trendsetter in streetwear and has launched his own clothing lines. Despite periods of controversy and intense media scrutiny, Bieber has maintained one of the most dedicated global fan bases, known as Beliebers. His business acumen and longevity in the industry were recognized by Forbes, which listed him among the top-earning celebrities under 30 multiple times, and by Billboard, which ranked him the eighth greatest pop star of the 21st century in 2024.
Awards and achievements
Justin Bieber has received extensive recognition throughout his career, amassing a significant collection of awards from major institutions. His accolades include two Grammy Awards, one Latin Grammy Award, and a record-setting 22 MTV Europe Music Awards. In Canada, he has won eight Juno Awards. He has also earned 26 Billboard Music Awards, 19 American Music Awards, two Brit Awards, and six MTV Video Music Awards. Beyond trophies, Bieber holds numerous chart records. He is the youngest solo male artist to have eight number one albums on the US Billboard 200. He was the first artist to occupy the top three positions on the UK singles chart simultaneously. Bieber was also the first artist to have five US number one albums before the age of 19. His single What Do You Mean? set a record for the fastest song to reach number one on the US iTunes store. Time magazine included him in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2011. Selected Major Awards
- Grammy Award: Best Dance/Electronic Recording for Where Are Ü Now (2016)
- Latin Grammy Award: Best Urban Fusion/Performance for Despacito (Remix) (2017)
- Juno Award: Fan Choice Award (2011, 2013, 2016, 2021)
- MTV Europe Music Award: Best Male (multiple years)
- Billboard Music Award: Top Male Artist (2016)
- American Music Award: Artist of the Year (2010, 2012)
Business ventures and other work
Beyond music, Bieber has engaged in various business and media projects. He authored an autobiography, Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever: My Story, in 2010. His involvement in film includes the successful 3D concert documentaries Never Say Never (2011) and Believe (2013). Bieber has also made several television appearances, including as a presenter at the Grammy Awards, a guest star on crime dramas like CSI, and the subject of a Comedy Central roast in 2015. The line focuses on casual, unisex streetwear and has developed a cult following. Bieber's fragrance line, including Someday and The Key, has also been commercially successful. His investment in the social media platform Shots and other tech startups demonstrates his interest in business beyond entertainment.
Discography and chart performance
Justin Bieber's discography presents his consistent commercial success. All his major studio albums have debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, a record for a solo male artist. His early work established him as a teen pop phenomenon, while his later albums demonstrated artistic growth and adaptation to evolving music trends. The following table lists his studio albums and their peak chart positions in the United States and Canada.
| Album | Year | US Peak | CA Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| My World 2.0 | 2010 | 1 | 1 |
| Under the Mistletoe | 2011 | 1 | 1 |
| Believe | 2012 | 1 | 1 |
| Purpose | 2015 | 1 | 1 |
| Changes | 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| Justice | 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| Swag | 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| Swag II | 2025 | 1 | 1 |
In addition to his albums, Bieber has an extensive list of hit singles. He has achieved eight number one singles on the US Billboard Hot 100, including What Do You Mean?, Sorry, Love Yourself, Despacito (as a featured artist), I'm the One, Peaches, and Stay. His early hit Baby remains one of the best-selling singles of all time in the United States. Bieber's streaming numbers are also monumental, with several music videos surpassing one billion views on YouTube. His 2012 music video for Beauty and a Beat set a record for the most views in 24 hours upon its release with 10.6 million views.
Questions about Justin Bieber
How did Justin Bieber get discovered?
Justin Bieber was discovered in 2007 through YouTube. His mother posted videos of him singing covers of R&B songs for friends and family. Scooter Braun, a music executive, accidentally clicked on one of these videos while searching for another artist. Impressed, Braun tracked down the 13-year-old Bieber in Stratford, Ontario, and arranged for him to travel to Atlanta to record demos. There, Bieber auditioned for Usher, leading to a joint management deal with Braun's RBMG and a record deal with Island Records in 2008.
How many Juno Awards has Justin Bieber won?
Justin Bieber has won eight Juno Awards, Canada's premier music honours. His wins include multiple Fan Choice Awards, which he has won in 2011, 2013, 2016, and 2021. He has also won awards for categories such as Pop Album of the Year. These awards highlight his sustained popularity and critical recognition within his home country throughout his career.
What records does Justin Bieber hold?
Justin Bieber holds several notable music industry records. He is the youngest solo male artist to have eight number one albums on the US Billboard 200. He was the first artist to occupy the top three spots on the UK singles chart simultaneously. Bieber was also the first artist to have five US number one albums before turning 19. His single What Do You Mean? made him the youngest solo male artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
How many Grammy Awards has Justin Bieber won?
Justin Bieber has won two Grammy Awards. His accolades include these two Grammy Awards along with one Latin Grammy Award, eight Juno Awards, two Brit Awards, 26 Billboard Music Awards, 19 American Music Awards, six MTV Video Music Awards and a record 22 MTV Europe Music Awards. His first Grammy came for Best Dance/Electronic Recording at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards for the Jack Ü collaboration 'Where Are Ü Now'. Bieber's numerous awards highlight his significant influence and commercial success in popular music, with estimated sales of over 150 million records making him one of the best selling music artists of all time.
What is Justin Bieber's best-selling album?
Justin Bieber's 2015 album Purpose is a major commercial success that yielded three US Billboard Hot 100 number one singles: 'Love Yourself', 'Sorry', and 'What Do You Mean?'. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, becoming his sixth album to do so. The singles from Purpose also occupied the top three of the UK singles chart simultaneously, making Bieber the first artist in history to achieve this. With estimated record sales exceeding 150 million globally, Bieber is one of the best selling artists ever, and Purpose, with its EDM infused sound, was a key driver of that achievement, setting the tone for this era of his career.
Is Justin Bieber still making music?
Yes, Justin Bieber is still making music. After a brief hiatus following his 2021 album Justice, he released his seventh and eighth studio albums, Swag and Swag II, in 2025. His career, which began in the late 2000s, has seen him consistently release new material, including the number one albums Changes in 2020 and Justice in 2021. With his continuous output and image reinventions, Bieber maintains his status as an influential figure in popular music and one of the best selling music artists of all time, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to his craft.
Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-18.
