Justin Bieber Reveals ‘Where Are Ü Now’ Origins Story, Album Plans With Skrillex And Diplo
Justin Bieber didn’t just electrify the Wango Tango crowd this weekend. Before hitting the stage, he chatted to KIIS 102.7 radio station about his new album, ongoing collaborative plans with Jack Ü’s Skrillex and Diplo, and his take on that controversial Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight.
Of his highly anticipated new album, Bieber said he and producers Kanye West and Rick Rubin are at the “final touch stage.” He stopped short of sharing a drop date, adding that there isn’t a specific window yet other than “soon.”
When asked what his new music is about direction-wise, the 21-year-old said, “There’s not really a direction. It’s like uplifting music that people are going to dance to,” adding, “Yeah, a little different” when asked if it was. “It’s just, like I said, it’s really just uplifting and people are gonna smile while listening to it.”
Amiably pressed by one host to tell them something not known about “Where Are Ü Now,” his current dance slayer with Jack Ü, Bieber repeated the song’s origin story, which Diplo previously told Miami’s Power 96 radio station after their Ultra Music Festival triumph.
“Something you don’t know,” JB began, before adding, “The song was just me and piano. Skrillex just came in and did his stuff. Him and Diplo messed up the beat.”
Bieber also called the EDM duo “super talented,” and said Jack Ü will “possibly” contribute to his new album. “I was just in [a studio] with Skrillex the other night,” he revealed. “Diplo, he was working, but we’re going to be getting it back in.”
Sounding content with how his new opus is coming along, the Biebs dished, “Overall, I’m just really happy with the place I’m at creatively right now,” then added, “I feel like this is probably the best I’ve been.”
The singer sounded more somber when he opened up about a parallel purpose to his new album, besides making people dance and smile.
“Yes. I’m speaking,” Biebs replied, when asked whether his new jams will channel the past dramas that have engulfed him for two years.
“I’m using my voice in my music rather than out here in the world,” he replied firmly to KIIS host JoJo Wright. “‘Cause people often just take my words and twist ’em and stuff. So, not really talking a lot and just using my music for that.”
After the interview, Bieber kicked off his big stage comeback, post-concert tweeting that it was “Good to be back.”
Take a look at the young icon’s Wango Tango set below.
[Images via Andrea Tardio/MTV/Getty Images for 102.7 KIIS FM’S Wango Tango]
