S. Samuel
Pop star Justin Bieber has the hip-hop world aching right now after likening himself to rap mogul Jay-Z in light of recent controversy shot his way.
In Bieb’s perspective, he has reached the same level of fame as Hov and therefore does not feel any urge to address petty accusations.
But Bieber’s been making headlines lately for his erratic behavior in public, and Teen Vogue is playing up the news hook. “Justin’s Crazy Year,” reads the cover line. Betting it’s just the kind of story their readers will gobble up, the magazine is also releasing two covers to newsstands. Asked inside about the rumors swirling around him, Bieber says, “I don’t need to address every speculation. Remember when Cam’ron dissed Jay-Z? Jay-Z didn’t even respond. Why didn’t he respond, because he’s Jay-Z.” The Biebs has spoken. (WWD)
Over the winter, Biebs caught heat over alleged syrup-drinking photos.
Justin Bieber is shooting down rumors that he engaged in risky behavior, allegedlydrinking “sizzurp” while partying with friends Lil Twist and Lil Za. TMZ first reported that they’ve seen photos of the 18-year-old pop star with a bottle of codeine cough syrup, known as “sizzurp,” nearby. Justin tweeted on Feb. 2, “Some of these rumors about me are getting a little out of control now. Don’t believe the [bulls**t]. Gonna focus on the positive. I understand that rumors come with the territory, but I’m gonna stay me. Focus on the music. U wanna know what im about…it is all right there.” (Hollywood Life)
Prior to this controversy, photos of Justin surrounded by marijuana surfaced online.
Bieber was photographed last Wednesday at a hotel-room party in Newport Beach holding what appears to be a marijuana cigarette while sitting with fellow partyers and a couple of empty beer bottles. The photos, taken in the presence of security and obtained by TMZ over the weekend, show the Biebs laughing and chatting with the lighted blunt between his fingers. Sources at the party told the website that rapper Lil Twist and his brother were rolling the blunts. The day before the pics were taken, Twist was pulled over while driving Bieber’s Ferrari, and freelance photographer Chris Guerra, who was trying to snap pics of the traffic stop, was killed while crossing Sepulveda Boulevard. (Los Angeles Times)
Over the past few months, hip-hop artists like Akon and Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul have come to his defense.
Three 6 Mafia rapper DJ Paul — famous for his song “Sippin’ on Some Syrup” — has some words of advice for Justin Bieber … stay away from sizzurp, or you could die. Paul was out in Vegas this week when we asked him about the photos circulating of Justin Bieber — showing the singer surrounded by double cups and codeine — and the rapper tells us, Bieber’s playing with fire. Paul says, “I can’t say don’t do [sizzurp] because I did my rounds with it. But I stay away from it these days because I had a lot of friends that passed away from it. It’s dangerous if you do too much of it.” (TMZ)
