Justin Bieber raps about being 'high' amid drug use allegations
What's the story
Canadian pop star Justin Bieber has stirred controversy with a recent social media post in which he rapped about being "high."
The video, posted on Instagram on Tuesday, shows a shirtless Bieber singing while munching on snacks.
His lyrics included lines like "I fly like a fly guy, I fly high like a bagpipe, I go high like a bad guy," and were sung along with an unidentified friend smoking a cigarette.
Drug allegations
Bieber's video followed the denial of drug use allegations
The video was posted soon after Bieber's rep denied allegations that the singer was on drugs. The rumors emerged after what fans thought was bizarre behavior from Bieber.
On Sunday, his rep dismissed the rumors as "exhaustive and pitiful," saying they demonstrated a commitment to keeping "negative, salacious, harmful narratives alive."
Bieber's spokesperson stressed that the past year has been a time of great change for the singer, especially after he and his wife Hailey Bieber welcomed their first child.
Fan reactions
Fans reacted to Bieber's video with mixed emotions
The rep hinted that exhaustion from looking after his newborn son and working late in the recording studio could've played a part in his look in recent photos.
Meanwhile, the video has drawn a mixed response from fans.
Some were excited about new music, with one fan writing, "I'm so desperate for new music I'll take anything at this point like this gold right now!"
Another fan wrote, "Bieber is back," while a third called the clip "weird but cute."
Public speculation
Fans speculated drug use at a public event
Fans also speculated that Bieber was on drugs when he showed up at a Rhode Skin pop-up event in Los Angeles on February 18 to support his wife.
A video of him wearing sunglasses indoors and swaying his body went viral, adding to the rumors.
The Canadian-born singer was later spotted taking a smoke break with comedian Dave Chappelle, adding to the speculation.