JUSTIN BIEBER - 'SWAG'

What’s Good Y’all! It’s been 4 years since Justin Bieber’s last studio album. Not 100% sure anyone was checking for new music from him or if anyone is still a Belieber, but for me, this album could’ve stayed wherever the hell it was before it saw the light of day. And I want to be honest here,e so I don’t just come off as a hater. I used to LOVE Justin Bieber and his music. I was a Belieber at one point, but after 2015, I was no longer checking for the Biebs. And I’m not sure what happened. Between his relationship going astray with Selena Gomez and the internet circulating a video of him saying the N word as a child…I was cringing and once again over another Justin. But those aren’t set in stone reasons to dislike someone you know? I’m giving side eye, but I still think people deserve opportunities to show their growth from their younger selves. Justin has since acknowledged and apologized for his use of the N word. And after his final break-up with Selena, he finally moved on and married Hailey Baldwin, now Hailey Bieber, and became a father. 

The last project I listened to from the Canadian-born and raised singer was his album ‘Purpose’, released in 2015. I loved that album because it gave a more mature and personal insight into Bieber, more than whatever this new project is supposed to be. So SWAG is the title of Justin’s latest album. Only 54 minutes and 21 seconds with 21 songs full of absolute nonsense. I don’t know what pisses me off most about this album, the title, the fact that these songs are all snippets with a voice that wasn’t tailored to fit the beats better to enjoy the content of the lyrics, the features, especially lame ass Druski or the fact that he thought this was a good idea to release. The only song worthy of mentioning on this album is Zuma House; the acoustic sound of this song and the direction of where the lyrics were trying to go should've been the whole album. I don't know why he can’t finish a song! Every song on the album is barely complete… If you weren’t inspired to write and create a good project, then don’t force it!

There was no soul on this album, I don’t know wtf Druski was lying for. This album was an attempt to once again reap benefits from black culture, without truly giving back to Black people. The only problem is, it feels like we have been here before with previous albums but with better song executions. The songs were entirely too short and lacked the sustenance to understand where any of this was really going. It’s obvious Justin is going through some things, and this being his first album since his departure from working with Scooter Braun, Bieber tries out new sounds and collabs that I didn’t expect and truly disliked. Supposedly, these tracks involved topics that dealt with marriage, love, faith and more. From the features to the production, for me, this album was just all over the place in the worst way. I was not only frustrated and disappointed but I was annoyed at the pandering and use of black culture in order to score your next hit. I want it to be understood that all music is Black Music...do your research, however I am aware that over time various genres have become more targeted to white or black audiences. R&B is one of the genres that has maintained being geared towards majority black audiences, it is also a genre Justin Bieber continues to dabble in often. However, it never gives I'm paying homage, or giving flowers it always just gives, I want to sell this record and let me take this to do so. This album just felt like a gimmick, one that I'm not longer falling for.

I’m not even going to lie to y’all I’m going to add the links to the album but I could care less if you listen to it or not I’m annoyed I did lol. HOWEVER, I HIGHLY suggest for you to listen to his ‘Purpose’ album, it still holds up and has all the ‘soul’ Druski claimed was on the album ‘SWAG’.

SWAG ALBUM: PURPOSE:

APPLE APPLE

SOUNDCLOUD SOUNDCLOUD

TIDAL TIDAL

YOUTUBE YOUTUBE