Justin Bieber Admitted He “Benefited Off of Black Culture”

Justin Bieber knows that Black artists have played a major role in contributing to his sound. And now, he’s committing to doing more work to pay them back in kind, and pay it forward for other Black artists and Black people.

On Sunday, he Instagrammed a statement he provided via screenshot of the iPhone Notes app. “I am inspired by Black culture,” the statement read. “I have benefitted off of Black culture. My style, how I sing, dance, perform and my fashion have all been influenced by Black culture.”

Subsequently, Justin added: “I am committed to using my platform from this day forward to learn, to speak up about racial injustice and systemic oppression, and to identify ways to be a part of much needed change.”

The letter came two weeks after the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis in May. Floyd’s killing, as well as the killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and countless other Black people, have led to millions of people around the world to protest police brutality and anti-Black racism, and demand systemic change in every city and in every industry.

Throughout his career, Justin has worked with Black artists like Usher, Big Sean, Nas, and Travis Scott, as well as producers like Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd. His music borrows heavily from hip-hop and R&B, two mediums with undeniable roots in Black culture. There’s also the matter of his style: In 2016, the singer was taken to task for wearing cornrows, a protective hairstyle for natural hair. (He later debuted dreadlocks, only to be once again called out for cultural appropriation.)

Only time will tell how Justin commits himself to the change, but he’s already using his platform to spread awareness. On May 6, he posted a photo of Ahmaud, a 25-year-old Black man who was killed by two white men while going for a jog.

“Praying for the family mourning the loss of Ahmaud Arbery. Also praying for justice!” Justin wrote. Since May 31, he has dedicated his Instagram, which is followed by 138 million people, to speaking out against anti-Black racism. “All lives do not matter until Black lives matter,” one post reads, in all caps. He also supported Cate Young’s #BirthdayforBreonna initiative, and asked his followers to help hold Kentucky lawmakers accountable to seeking justice for the EMT who was killed by police in a botched “no-knock” raid.

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