A little while ago, we explained a few reasons why Nickelback doesn’t deserve the hate they get. Since that list was so well-received, and since we hate to disappoint our fans, we thought we’d go one step further, and offer up 10 reasons you should, at the very least, give pint-size superstar Justin Bieber a break.
This article isn’t saying you have to listen to Justin Bieber’s music. We know our readers and, sadly, will likely have to hammer this point home a lot before we’re done.
10. He Actually IS Musically Talented
One of the criticisms thrown at the Biebster (we can call him that, we’re homies) is that he has no talent. Go onto any YouTube video featuring virtually any band ever and you’ll see someone in the comments saying “this is real music, not like that s****y stuff Justin Bieber sings, LOL”.
However, Bieber doesn’t just have talent, he has talent for days. The young star can not only play the guitar, drums, keyboard and trumpet, he can also play a guitar like a drum, because he seemingly saw into the future and wanted to upload something to YouTube that would shut all his critics the hell up.
But hey, it’s his voice that’s annoying, right? That whiney, auto-tuned voice of his feels like someone shoved a knife made of salt into your ear, right? Well …
9. He Can Sing Too
Listen to any one of Bieber’s songs and you’ll hear auto-tune. He’s a young guy singing pop songs aimed at teenage girls — of course there’s auto-tune involved. However, if you listen to the acoustic sets he’s done, or one of the videos of him performing before he was famous, you’ll hear that Bieber has a voice so sickly sweet you could lure bees to their death with it.
This is one of the key things people always seem to forget: Bieber wasn’t manufactured in a lab somewhere. Sure, his image was, but that’s not the issue here. He was discovered and promoted because he’s a fantastic singer. Saying he’s unable to sing just because you don’t like his songs is like saying Gordon Ramsey can’t cook because you hate lobster bisque, or that you’re creeped out because you could hide a deck of cards in his face.
8. Oh, And He’s Self-Taught
As noted here, Bieber is entirely self-taught. So what? A lot of people teach themselves to play an instrument. Which is true, but how many of those people teach themselves how to play FOUR instruments?
“But Justin Bieber sucks at playing all of those instruments!” Really? He looks like he can play them pretty well to us. Here he is busting out a drum solo after singing and dancing for 10 minutes straight, and here he is playing a piano piece he wrote.
Which is where we expect someone will say something along the lines of “being able to play a bunch of instruments doesn’t make you talented.”
Which again, is perfectly true, but having the dedication to teach yourself to play them to a level way above that of the average person is something you have to at least admire. Then again, he has other talents.
7. He’s A Boss At Rubik’s Cube
If you still have a raging hate boner for Mr. Bieber, if you’ve already left angry comments on all the YouTube videos we’ve linked calling Bieber names and saying he plays worse than a blind monkey with seven diseases, here he is solving a Rubik’s Cube in a minute and a half.
Of course, because this is a Justin Bieber video on the Internet, the comments are all people saying that they could solve it quicker, and that Bieber is wicked slow at Rubik’s Cube. That’s pretty harsh; we’ll bet he cried in his giant mansion for days because of that. But bear in mind, this is yet another skill he possesses that 99% of the general public couldn’t emulate if asked to. And even if they could, the odds that they could also bust out a sick drum solo are so minuscule it’d rival the Like bar on one of his videos.
But hey, maybe you’re a fan of numbers; if so, you should probably know that …
6. He’s Made Music History
Regardless of whether or not you like his music, one thing is clear; Bieber dominates the top of the charts. And here’s a fun fact: he’s the youngest solo male artist to do so in almost 50 years. The last time a male as young as Bieber made it to the top of the charts on their own was Stevie Wonder.
We’re not saying Bieber is anything like Stevie Wonder; we’re just pointing out that, at the tender age of 16, he’d already made music history by selling enough records to bury an average person’s house.
But the charts are dead, right? No one buys music anymore, it’s all about the Internet these days, Well, Bieber has that covered too because …
5. He’s Made Internet History Too
Along with having the most followers of any single person on Twitter, Justin Bieber is also one of the first artists in history to utilize the power of the Internet and social media to fan the flames of their fame. The kid has trended on Twitter almost every day for the past 3 years; Twitter actually has racks of servers dedicated solely to handling the massive traffic his tweets generate. This has resulted in Justin being considered one of the single most powerful people on the entire Internet.
Again, WE’RE NOT SAYING YOU HAVE TO LIKE MUSIC. However, if someone told you that there is a person out there able to literally make or break online careers with a single sentence, direct 5 million people to a single place on the Internet with a single word, then you’d think that person was cool as Hell. The fact that that person happens to be Justin Bieber, however, has left many people failing to see that he’s basically an Internet God. Speaking of which …
4. He’s Famous Because Of God
You may or may not know (depending on how much JB you love in your life,) that Biebz is a devout Christian. As is his family. When the young star was first discovered, his mother was initially hesitant to trust the well-being of her son to a Jew. Hey, it happens.
However, when she went and prayed, and asked the members of her church for advice, they told her to go for it, thus kick-starting young Justin’s career. So yeah, don’t be angry at record companies for plaguing you with Justin’s soulful melodies and slick beats, be angry at God. Unless you don’t believe in him — then be angry at everything.
3. He’s Actually Really, Really Nice
A lot of flak is aimed at Justin for his prima donna attitude, and how he acts like a spoiled petulant child, because obviously all of us would be paragons of virtue and civility if we became multi-millionaires fresh out of high-school.
Yet, in interviews and cases where he’s able to actually meet one-on-one with fans, Jezza is perhaps one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. Here he is offering some kind words (and a fat stack of cash) to a little girl busking where he used to perform. Here he is paying for a victim of bullying to visit him on his own dime. Finally, here he is handing out free tickets to one of his shows to his fans.
Now just for a second imagine being Justin Bieber. Imagine if literally everywhere you went, you were being constantly hounded by the press and fans (Justin has been chased by his fans in boats before. BOATS!) and that you were being sent millions of messages a day through every piece of social media you had access to. How long would it take for you to stop answering your messages, signing autographs and posing with people screaming through tears that they love you? If it’s less than four years, you’re a way worse person than Bieber. We’re just going to go out on a limb and say that anyone who can put up with screaming teenagers everywhere they go and only punches a guy with a camera is a borderline saint. Speaking of which…
2. Charity. Lots And Lots Of Charity
The list of charities Justin supports reads like a Who’s Who of the worst things to ever plague mankind. Alzheimer’s, world hunger, support for bullied LBGT teens: Bieber supports them all.
This is in between sold-out concerts, meeting with fans, and his own life. Half of the people reading this would struggle supporting two pet dogs, let alone the weight of 30 million fans, a busy schedule, and dozens of charity events. Damn, this kid must never have time for anything else. Oh wait …
1. This Prank
The pocket-sized teen has played a number of pranks on his fans over the years, but we’d like to share just one of them and we feel safe saying that this is perhaps one of the greatest things ever done by a celebrity.
We also feel it’s safe to say that most people reading this hates the celebrity-stalking website TMZ more than they hate Justin Bieber, because at least Bieber only takes photos of himself with his shirt off. So, Justin Bieber annoying and wasting TMZ’s time should at least make you smirk.
On April 1st, 2013, Bieber decided that he’d had just about enough of TMZ, so he posted the number for their tip line as his own number on Twitter, inviting his fans to call it for a chance to speak to him. TMZ’s phones went mental, completely shutting down their office for hours. In retaliation, TMZ posted Justin’s manager’s personal cell phone number to their Twitter account . Because that was totally the same as Justin posting a number they openly advertise and invite people to call on their own website.
So yeah, we’re not saying you have to like Justin Bieber. But you should probably hate TMZ more.
Karl is in charge of updating a new section of TopTenz, every day he’ll be updating it with a new awesome fact or story from the news, history or pop culture. Check it out here.
31 Comments
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Ok let me get this straight.
#10: Ok he can play guitars, keyboards, drums and whatnot, but you haven’t really mentioned HOW WELL he plays them. I can play drums and violin, but you don’t see me jerking about it. Also, if he can play those, then why aren’t they used in his music? Does he really need DAT computer generated pop-maker sound otherwise he’s not the same Bieber?
#9: “Before he was famous” which means before his “baby” song? If yes, then why didn’t HE USED HIS VOICE? Why did he had to use auto-tune that would obviously hinder him and make him sound like a 12-years-old girl? OH wait, because that’s not “pop” enough, nevermind…
#8: As a painter and a drawer, I’ve learned perspective and anatomy from noone other than myself. The “teachers” at my art school always gaved us objects or scenery for drawing or painting. Does that make me talented? Maybe… Does that make me awesome? NO.
#7: If the guy who did this list really had any ideas about research he would know that solving Rubik’s Cube quickly ain’t that hard, as someone else in the comments section showed.
#6: Ok? I can blame that to the stupid fangirls, who would have fantasies with “muscular” boys even in school, but that would be too easy.
#5: You’ve screwed yourself here. The key word: “Internet”, the place where no shits are given. Like noone would actually give a crap about what I said here, why should we give a crap about this so-called “Internet God”?
#4: So apparently, being a guy with tattoos who swears, makes fun of everyone, slaps children and makes fun of elderly means that he’s a determined Christian, and since he’s a determined Christian, he’s suddenly awesome. Thank goodness that I’m an atheist.
#3: “because obviously all of us would be paragons of virtue and civility if we became multi-millionaires fresh out of high-school.” Have you heard of Bill Gates? I don’t think he may’ve done something terribly bad, but he’s also a nice person who’s also rich. Also, I have NO RESPECT for people who think that slapping children and making fun of the elderly makes them look cool.
#2: Again, Bill Gates. I know what you’re trying to point out, but don’t think this makes him suddenly awesome, because if that would be true, then Bill Gates would be a saint on earth.
#1: Yes, because pulling pranks over your own fans makes you AWESOME. Although they’re fine if they’re harmless, but such humiliating acts like spittin out that lube (or whatever it was).
I’m sorry, but if I ever had a friend who would do such a disgusting thing a “GET OUT OF MY SIGHT” would be guaranteed. However, if that would have hit me, I would’ve punched him.
He is very talented at all the instruments he self taught himself before the age of 12. Sold out Madison Square Garden at age 16. Started the internet music revolution. Wasn’t a product of Disney did it all himself, that is unheard of.
Wtf does the Rubix cube have to do with anything?
Is it a Must to Like him?I Will Forever hate dat Guy not like he Is even handsome or masculine he is feminine and an eunuch there are Billions of Handsome perfect dudes Out there Who deserve better Dan his position Right Now(Including Me I Must Admit)I Wonder how he Got there by the Way,Never Liked dat dude blaaahhhhhhhhh hahahaha Its hard to find a Guy dat Does he cnt even Dance hahahahahahaaaaaa(No beef Involved @ all)
dude is keeping it together somewhat well for a kid that got propelled into massive fame. he seems like a screw up but lots of people could do worse.
his music is for young teens, mainly girls. not sure why anyone that’s not a little girl gives a damn about what this kid does music wise.
why is him being a “christian” a point about him being awesome? there is nothing that makes a christian better than another person. especially considering how loose religious people are with actually following the religions they follow… which for sure goes for bieber.
keep going biebs. enjoy it while you got it.
WOW! he pulled a prank! WOW! Rubiks cube! Hes a loser AND a geek? O.o
Ok, MAYBE Justin Beiber isn’t so bad, after reading this list. But i still hate him.
Wow. An opinion piece on Justin Bieber seems pretty credible. Clive888, couldn’t have said it better myself.
“…if you’re a 10-year-old girl.”
I don’t understand the immense hatred that exist on the internet about this kid. I don’t like his music either but I don’t hate Bieber or wish him any harm. He’s just a another dumb pop star who will fade to obscurity in a few years like the rest of his kind. Like Marieke said above, at least Bieber wasn’t a terrible father to his child and a wife-beater like John Lennon.
What’s Next 10 reasons why ‘PSY’ is the future of music? Really though!
Okay let me show you how much of a retard you are.
10. Good for him. There are a lot of multiinstrumentalists out there but its not proven he is very good at any of those instruments. Playing guitar like a drum has been done through and through.
9. There are ridiculous amounts of musicians that can sing. Nothing special.
8. There are heaps of self-taught musicians too. Nothing special.
7. Who cares?
6. For the wrong reasons.
5. Also for the wrong reasons.
4. Millions of Christians around the world.
3. So are millions of other people.
2. Many other celebrities also contribute to charity. And with the amount of money he’s made for making terrible music he better well be giving to charity.
1. Who cares?
And in this list you have in no way shown nor given any evidence of him being awesome.
You think you’re actually proving a point but you’re just trying to say most musicians are not that awesome not just justin bieber and making it seem like what they do is not special at all like everyone know how to do them but tell me again what have you accomplish? cause the way i see it and including millions of people and even billions will agree those musicians are waaaaaaayy awesome than you.keep hating. and you’re acting like everyone whos rich better give to charity or in your words ”with the amount of money he’s made for making terrible music he better well be giving to charity.” i pity your ignorance i guess you didn’t know music is subjective.and just because many celebrities give to charity that means hes not awesome for giving to charity and feeding many childrens and putting clothes on their back?smh please reply and tell me about your accomplishments with proofs.you haters love to act like those musicians or actors or athletes etc you don’t like or hate don’t deserve everyhing they got while you seat on your lazy a*s leaving negative comments about them. do you think you deserve it more than them or the actor or musician or athlete etc you love so much deserve them more than them? so hypocritical.
Outstanding.
a) How difficult is it for someone to do one of these?
b) how difficult is it for someone to do ALL TEN?
Totally agree !!!
Are you even aware of the magnitude of this kids success? Sold out Madison Square Garden at the age of 16, broke records, wasn’t a product of Disney or any other machine. Self taught himself all his talents.
Acceptable.
I’d just like to point out that anybody can be taught how to solve a rubik’s cube. There is actually a known strategy that allows you to solve a rubik’s cube quickly. Will Smith learned how to do it for a scene in The Pursuit of Happiness. I guess my point is that being able to solve a rubik’s cube quickly isn’t as impressive as it sounds.
People give him too much hate for no reason. Hating him is a trend and idiots think that if they point out just how much they hate him, others will think they are cultured and smart. It’s not funny anymore nor is it original. Don’t like the music, don’t listen.
And about the Anne Frank thing, Why is everyone assuming he wanted to draw attention to himself? He knew who she was and he had hoped that she would enjoy his music if she were alive today. So what? Why make such a big deal out of such a simple statement? It’s not like he said “boy that sure sucked for her BUT DID YOU HEAR MY NEW HIT SONG?”
At least he isn’t a wife-beater like John Lennon was.
I’d hardly call him a devout Christian. he’s got tattoos, he smokes pot, cusses, and bangs Selena Gomez. and he’s awesome because of a rubix cube? plz. AND HE PULLED A PRANK!?!? whoa. barf.
I am no Jesus follower or praise the lord every day kind of guy, but I am pretty sure the bible says that we’re all born sinners and that the lord forgives and accepts man for his true form. You know what else? At least the man is following a path towards his Heaven and not lost. I think his selflessness can certainly make-up for some ink, cussing, and pot smoking. Also, what is wrong with enjoying sex… especially with Selena Gomez? Again, I am pretty sure the bible encourages man to enjoy the pleasures of life… one being love. About that Rubik’s cube? Can you solve a Rubik’s cube in less than two minutes? Afterwards, can you bust out a spectacular vocal performance that blows the minds of millions of people? After that, can you bust out a drum solo? And even after that, can you give hope to a child or person that has little to no hope? Man, step off.
No offence, but you can’t even spell Rubik’s cube (yeah, it’s not Rubix).
finally something positive about poor Justin Bieber. kudos to this list!
I’ll say the same thing here as I did about Nickelback.
Don’t like his music? STFU, get over it, grow up. He’s a pop star and you’re not.
HAW HAW!
I’d rather be somebody who can make ACTUAL music, than be a pop star.
That was just stupid. This article just proved that he actually can make music.
I am going to have to take this a step further. Many pop stars are forwarded music by various songwriters, however, a small minority of pop stars actually start out with a demo tape of their own music before they become successful. This goes the same for a lot of other music genres. So what if they are singing other people’s music? Some of the songs are actually really beautiful songs and, if it wasn’t for such a beautiful voice to make it happen, we probably never would have heard them.
I am going to have to take this a step further. Many pop stars are forwarded music by various songwriters, however, a small minority of pop stars actually start out with a demo tape of their own shit before they become successful. This goes the same for a lot of other music genres. So what if they are singing other people’s music? Some of the songs are actually really beautiful songs and, if it wasn’t for such a beautiful voice to make it happen, we probably never would have heard them.
“Truly inspiring to be here. Anne was a great girl. Hopefully she would have been a Belieber.” justin Bieber on Anne Frank. I love this kid..