Latest news with #SWAG
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Shruti Haasan says Justin Bieber's Baby put her off: ‘I don't like his music, not my kind of pop''
Shruti Haasan recently appeared on Ranveer Allahbadia podcast and got candid about several aspects of her life—why she's chosen not to marry, her take on motherhood, and more. She was also asked about her perspective on mental health, where the host brought up pop star Justin Bieber, who had dropped his seventh studio album SWAG that very day. Bieber had been in the news for his mental health struggles, including a recent outburst at the paparazzi. Shruti's said, she is 'not a fan,' but called mental health problem 'a global issue.' Also read: Justin Bieber reveals full tracklist for new album SWAG; Hailey Bieber shares fierce message for 'losers' During one of the segments on The Ranveer Show, the host asked Shruti, 'Do you like Justin Bieber? He seems to be going through something,' referring to the popstar's ongoing struggle with mental health. He then asked if she had seen those videos. Shruti nodded and said yes. She continued, 'I've always said, and this isn't to play the 'boohoo' card, right now, the world is in a very challenging space for everyone. I think everyone's going through something. It's just that when you put a camera on it, it becomes more obvious. But I promise you, it's not a Justin Bieber thing, it's a planetary problem right now.' That said, Shruti made it clear, she doesn't know Bieber personally, and she's not into his music either, so she didn't want to offer a strong opinion. But when asked why she's not into his music, she said, 'Because it's too happy,' leaving the host slightly puzzled. She explained, 'His music's too happy. I think I heard that first song of his, that put me off. Baby, I think.' She clarified that she does like pop and follows plenty of pop artists, just not Bieber. 'Maybe his stuff's just not my kind of pop,' she added. In the later part of the interview, the Ramaiya Vastavaiya star opened up about how she deals with dark phases and recalled the one lesson her father, Kamal Haasan, always reminds her of. 'Honestly, and I've said this in so many interviews, the advice he consistently gives me is: 'Don't be afraid of pain. No pain, no gain.' If there's something challenging in front of you, face it. Take it on. Of course, be practical,don't hurt yourself, but still, no pain, no gain. You shouldn't be scared of challenges,' she shared. Also read: 'Genius' Justin Bieber secretly licenses paparazzi showdown, signs NDA with photo agency for new album track Bieber, on the other hand, ended his four-year music hiatus with the newly released SWAG. Across the 21-track rollout, the popstar opened up about his mental health struggles and even addressed his marital issues. Rumours of a split between Bieber and Hailey have surfaced multiple times, with the Rhode founder brushing them off several time. But in the new track, Bieber makes it clear, he's not walking away. While subtly confirming they've had their share of problems, he draws the line there. The couple welcomed their first child, Jack Blues, last year.
Muscat Daily
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Justin Bieber returns with surprise album ‘SWAG'
Muscat – Four years after his last album Justice, pop sensation Justin Bieber has returned — not with a tour, but with a surprise album titled SWAG. And this time, it's personal. The 21-track album, dropped without warning, dives into the Canadian artist's life like never before — touching on fatherhood, mental health, and fame's quiet toll. While it may not be packed with summer anthems, SWAG hits hard with raw emotion and honest storytelling. One unexpected highlight is Standing on Business, a track that pivots away from the album's sombre tone thanks to comedian Druski's satirical take on Bieber's famously short-tempered beach encounter with paparazzi. It's already causing a stir on social media. Other tracks, like Therapy Session and Forgiveness, strike a different chord. The latter closes the album with gospel singer Marvin Winans delivering a powerful, soul-lifting finale that addresses themes of redemption and healing. Bieber, in his own words, says, 'I've had to go through a lot of my struggles as a human, as all of us do, really publicly. And so, people are always asking if I'm okay, and that starts to really weigh on me.' Fans were already concerned earlier this year after Bieber posted vulnerable messages online about feeling 'broken' and 'unworthy.' With SWAG, he turns that vulnerability into art, offering something of a sonic therapy session for himself and listeners alike. Gospel artist Winans, reflecting on his collaboration, wrote: 'Congratulations for making a wild and deeply inspiring record. Am grateful to have been a tiny part of a beautiful thing.' While hopes for a world tour remain high, any announcements are on pause as the artist continues to recover from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a condition that temporarily paralysed part of his face. For now, fans will have to settle for deep-listening sessions, headphones on and SWAG on repeat, waiting for the next move from the man who once sang Never Say Never.
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Justin Bieber breaks streaming record with surprise album SWAG and sparks early Grammy buzz
Justin Bieber's surprise seventh album, SWAG, has shattered personal streaming records, earning nearly 200 million global plays on day one, according to Hits Daily Double. In the U.S. alone, the project is expected to surpass 200 million streams in its first week, making it the biggest Pop/R&B streaming debut of 2025. Released via Def Jam on July 11 with no prior promo beyond cryptic billboards in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Reykjavik, SWAG marks Bieber's first solo album since 2021's Justice. The 21-track record features collaborators including Gunna, Sexyy Red, Cash Cobain, Lil B, Dijon, Eddie Benjamin, and gospel icon Marvin Winans. Early reviews point to a darker, more introspective tone, with Bieber drawing from his personal life as a new father and his evolving relationship with fame and faith. According to People, Bieber adopted a deeply personal approach in both the music and visuals, with behind-the-scenes footage featuring his wife Hailey and their son. Sources close to the artist call the release 'a huge milestone,' noting that Bieber was initially nervous about dropping such a raw project. The rollout appears to have paid off. Based on early streaming and sales data, SWAG is projected to debut with over 175,000 album-equivalent units in its first week—a figure that combines streams, digital downloads, and physical sales. In a supportive message, former manager Scooter Braun called the project 'beautiful, raw and truly him,' while early Grammy chatter suggests SWAG may be a serious contender come awards season. With SWAG already rewriting Bieber's career stats and reigniting fan excitement, all eyes are now on whether this surprise drop leads to a Grammy sweep—and what creative direction he'll take next.
Pink Villa
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Scooter Braun Says Justin Bieber Was ‘Authentic and Raw' in SWAG Album as Singer Clears USD 31.5 Million Debt
Scooter Braun and Justin Bieber have quite a history when it comes to the former managing the singer for a long time. However, a few years ago, cracks started to form between them as the Baby hitmaker claimed being fooled out of his hard-earned money and ended up separating from him. Since then, however, reports have surfaced showing that the American businessman not only lent money but also helped the star's finances immensely. Now, Scooter Braun has praised Justin Bieber's surprise seventh album drop, his first after officially breaking off their relationship. What does Scooter Braun think of Justin Bieber's SWAG? SWAG was released on July 11, 2025, after much speculation from fans globally. While they were always aware that the star was working on new music, the album was not promoted prior to its drop and came as a shock to everyone. After millions of views and listens poured in for the sons, Justin Bieber 's former manager and business partner, Scooter Braun, has reacted to it. Taking to his Instagram stories to write a new long note, he said, 'Been having a beautiful start to the weekend and been getting a lot of texts about how I feel about Justin's new album. So I will just leave this here.. This is without a doubt, the most authentically Justin Bieber album to date. It's beautiful, raw, and truly him. And that matters.' He further added how their past together allowed him to witness the growth of the pop icon, he has now stepped away and taken on this challenge solo, adding how he had 'poured his soul into this project', feeling it with every track. 'The way he chose to release it is just as intentional as the music itself — and I'm happy to see him do it this way. I have played no roll [role] in this one, but as someone who's always believed in him, I'm incredibly proud and impressed and genuinely enjoying the music.' He went on to praise Justin Bieber's 'special tone' and revealed Daisies as his favorite track on the album. Ending with a 'Stream Swag and support an authentic voice,' the record executive showed his support for the star.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Justin Bieber's ‘Swag': All 21 Tracks Ranked
On Thursday, July 10, billboards across cities including New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Reykjavík popped up all teasing the same thing: Justin Bieber is back. More from Billboard Revisit 'Brat Summer' With Charli xcx's Exclusive Urban Outfitters Collab Watch Justin Bieber Have a 'Sweet Spot' Dance Party With Sexyy Red in New Video A Full List of Current Las Vegas Residencies (Updating) The various billboards showed black and white photos of the superstar, with one in particular showing him shirtless standing in front of his wife Hailey Bieber, who is holding their son Jack Blues Bieber (though his face isn't to the camera). The images were shot by Renell Medrano, the same photographer who shot the album art for Kendrick Lamar's 2022 Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers; and, as many fans have pointed out on social media, it seemed likely that Bieber's new album could follow a similar theme of chronicling his journey towards healing. While other billboards depicted the word 'SWAG,' which proved to be an album title, some listed 20 titles, which proved to be the album's track list (plus one more track not listed on the billboards, culminating in 21 total). Titles included 'Therapy Session' and 'Forgiveness,' further solidifying similarities between Bieber and Lamar's confessional projects. In all, the surprise promo added up to a quick campaign for Bieber's anticipated seventh album. But the few hours notice was more than enough to generate hype — as fans have been seated and waiting for new music since 2021. Out Friday, July 11, Swag is the superstar's first album in four years, since Justice. Sources told Billboard that Swag was in the same lane of R&B only much more experimental, referencing artists such as Dijon and (both of whom are credited on the album). And while Swag arrived as a surprise, it's also an expected move from the artist who has been making headlines of late for everything from financial woes with his former manager, Scooter Braun, to concerns over his marital status. With Swag, Bieber is taking control of not only the present narrative but his and his family's future. As he famously said recently, in a paparazzi clip that has since gone viral: 'It's not clocking to you that I'm standing on business.' After one listen through Swag, it immediately clocks just how serious Bieber is about protecting what matters most. And really, what's swaggier than that? Below, see Billboard's preliminary ranking of all 21 songs from Bieber's Swag. The 21st and final track on Swag is by pastor and gospel singer Marvin Winans, a fitting choice for someone so rooted in his faith like Bieber — and an even more fitting title to end his album on. Because if he's proven anything across Swag, it's that forgiveness is all he is, and ever has been, asking for. 'You got some soul on this album,' says Druski on this interlude, before joking that Bieber 'kinda sounds Black' on the project. 'Your skin white, but your soul Black, Justin. I promise you.' Given that 'Standing On Business' wasn't included in the original tracklist being teased on the billboards spotted earlier in the day suggests one of two things: there was a clearance issue, as Bieber uses the now viral audio of him telling a paparazzi: 'It's not clocking to you that I'm standing on business, is it? I'm a human being, you're standing around my car, at the beach!' Or, Bieber himself wasn't sure on cementing a fleeting moment on his album forever. 'I like that you pronounce business,' says Druski, poking fun. 'You were pronouncing every word. You can't do that…I'm gonna start going to the beach and looking for motherf—–s just to say that s–t to.' Druski returns on this confessional interlude where he laughs about Bieber trolling, which he says causes the public to overreact and say, 'he's f—ing losing his mind!…Nah, he's just being a human being, he's enjoying social media like the rest of us, he's just doing it his own way.' 'That's been a tough thing for me recently, is feeling like I've had to go through a lot of my struggles as a human really publicly, so people are always asking if I'm ok, and that starts to really weigh on me,' says Bieber. 'It starts to make me feels like I'm the only one with issues and everyone else is perfect.' 'See,' says Druski, 'that's why I said I'm gonna be your counselor.' '405' is the first song — not to mention, it's the 17th track — that could be called a filler. But given the album's theme and how much of Swag plays out like a direct line into Bieber's brain of late, this 3-minute and 33-second hypnotic, racing track sounds like what likely runs through his head when mindlessly driving on the freeway. As he repeats, 'keep loving you' over and over again, it sounds just as much like a mantra as a promise. 'We need more people to get together,' instructs Lil B, calling for less separation and hate around the world, and more love. And as Bieber repeats the track's title over and over, it takes on double meaning: it sounds like he's saying both 'Dad's love' and 'that's love' — and as he aims to prove, isn't that one in the same? As he's made clear in recent paparazzi clips, Bieber is a dad now. And viral jokes aside, here he's well aware that leading with love is the only way through. 'Way It Is' is one of the most straightforward R&Bieber tracks on the album, offering a reminder that despite some of the more experimental swings he takes throughout Swag he's still the same artist his fans have loved all this time. Gunna's verse, though brief, fits in seamlessly thanks to Bieber harmonizing just below his vocals, as if he was too into the track to step away even for a moment. 'We get high and we go down again,' sings Bieber on this reflective track about how he ended up here in the first place — and who he considers to hold the title of 'first place' in his life. The uptempo production offsets the more sobering lyrics, with Bieber saying 'I don't wanna lose you now, that's the worst case.' He continues to admit 'it's been this way for a long time,' after questioning, 'where do I begin?' Swag seems like an appropriate, and necessary, first step. For the album's title track, Bieber brought his friends along. Featuring rapper Cash Cobain and close collaborator Eddie Benjamin, on 'Swag' the three manage to share the spotlight with ease as they assure, 'I'll put you on.' As Cash attests, 'That's swag, for certain.' 'Sweet Spot' does exactly as the title implies, balancing a retro R&B beat with the more experimental production that unites all of Swag. And while some of the lyrics call back to the more cringe-worthy moments on 'Yummy' (still, a certified banger), Sexxy Red's extended verse certainly helps sell the inclusion of this sex-positive track. If it wasn't included on his own album, it may be hard to guess that 'Yukon' is a Bieber track. Save for his own backing vocals, which are undeniably JB, this track finds the singer questioning: 'What would I do, if I didn't love you?' And while the Latin-inspired riff and hand drums add a bit of intrigue, 'Yukon' serves a similar purpose to '405,' both of which seem like real-time ruminations that often occupy Bieber's mind. After a song like 'Swag,' 'Zuma House' comes as a welcome shock. Another raw offering, much like 'Glory Voice Memo,' this song sounds much like what the title suggests: Bieber alone in a house near Zuma Beach recording himself via voice memo on an acoustic guitar. After just one-minute and 23 seconds, the song trails off, almost like you were caught eavesdropping, and don't want to risk being caught by lingering too long. The impromptu end leaves the listener wanting more and yet feeling fortunate enough to have heard anything so intimate at all. It makes sense for the snapping 'Things You Do' to follow 'Go Baby.' It's as if 'Baby' is what Bieber wishes to say to the public, while 'Things You Do' is his more intimate, loving offering to his wife. Singing over a simple riff, it's easy to picture Bieber sitting on the edge of the bed playing this while strumming and snapping along, shaking his head to accompany his own signature vocal flourishes. 'Money, money, money,' says Bieber, in audio clipped from another recent paparazzi encounter. The addition, as all the paparazzi clips do, makes Swag feel just as fresh and urgent as its arrival, and here Bieber uses this specific interaction as inspiration for a commentary on the things people often desire. 'Butterfly, go away,' he begs. It's as if Bieber is both being chased by and chasing after something, before concluding, 'I'm 'bout to slip away.' But as the sixth track on the album, it's clear he's nowhere near done running just yet. And some things, he might be realizing, you can never really outrun anyway. After a near hour worth of reflection and baring his soul, 'Too Long' brings a feistier side to Bieber to the forefront, supported by a classic R&B beat. 'When you do me like that, it's hard to take…I've been waiting, I've been patient/ I've been waiting too long.' It's as if everything up until this point was a plea with himself, with his family and even with the public to understand where he's coming from and what he's been up against — but just in case none of that made his case, 'Too Long' is one final Hail Mary. 'I want to let it go,' Bieber admits, 'it's been too long.' Whatever he's seeking, though, can only be granted by himself alone. No one else. The rawness of 'Glory Voice Memo' makes it feel like a 2025 all-grown-up version of the YouTube video that made Bieber a viral sensation. There's not much to it, just pure vocal talent — the kind that makes your noise wrinkle and eyes close — over a fuzzy, acoustic guitar. If there was ever a doubt, this 84-second clip proves JB has still got it, and never lost it. 'That's my baby, she's iconic/ iPhone case, lip gloss on it,' sings Bieber, speaking of his wife Hailey and her Rhode beauty empire, which recently sold to Elf Beauty in $1 billion deal. 'When sunlight turns to shadows and it gets hard to face… nothing needs to work out and nothing needs to break/ don't need to pretend you're ok.' The chorus, though nothing more than the repeated line 'go baby, go' is an instantly classic anthem for supporting a loved one. And with this one song, Bieber seems to shut down any speculation of his marital status by telling his wife: 'Cry on my shoulder… you better believe I can hold all the weight.' Sure, things may not always be perfect — but isn't that the beauty of having a partner to celebrate the good and brave the bad with? And for the Biebers, they have to live their highs and lows out loud. 'Go Baby' proves that there's no love lost — rather, they're one another's biggest fans when they need it most. This vibey, gilmmering opening track immediately sets the stage for what's to come: as promised, an experimental, alternative take on the R&B of Bieber's prime. And even through the layers of production and vocal editing, Bieber's voice shines through as confident as ever as he repeats: 'And it's all I can take.' There's a sense of freedom in the confession — and what a note to start on. 'Walking Away' is a goosebump-raising confessional about why Bieber isn't 'walking away' from his marriage — no matter how tough it gets. 'We better stop before we say some s–t, we've been testing our patience,' he admits, before declaring, 'Baby, I ain't walking away.' This song functions like a refreshingly honest vow renewal, as Bieber recalls giving Hailey her ring and promising to change. 'It's just human nature, these growing pains,' he assures. He sounds undoubtedly sincere — but then again, there's only one listener who can be the judge of that. A Justin Bieber and Dijon collaboration sounds exactly as one would hope: like a warm, all-encompassing hug. 12 tracks in and this pairing makes perfect sense, as Swag creates a similarly intimate and lo-fi atmosphere to Dijon's own debut album, 2021's Absolutely. There's a beautiful calm to 'Devotion,' with Bieber taking a moment to put any fears or frustrations aside and simply live in his present. Admitting in the first line, 'I'm starting to be open to/ the idea that you know me, too.' As they say, to be known is to be loved, and it seems Bieber is finally learning that to be true — and taking comfort in that rare kind of intimacy, or rather, devotion. Following a lead track like 'All I Can Take,' on which Bieber's vocals were a bit clouded by the production, 'Daisies' arrives as a welcomed follow-up as his voice is much more the focal point, supported mostly by a crunchy, lo-fi guitar — signature to Swag. There's an intimacy to this track, as if it places the listener directly in the garage — or whatever small, comforting and likely hazy space — it was recorded in. And for a superstar like Bieber, who is over 15 years and seven albums into his career, it's no small feat to craft an alternative-pop track that sounds like it's being made directly in the listener's ear in real time. And as a whole, that's what Swag accomplishes best; in addition to helping Bieber get some things off his chest, never has a star of his magnitude sounded more real, in every sense of the word. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
