Justin Bieber: ‘I’m Finally Making Music I Want To Make,’ And ‘I’m Done Apologizing’

Justin Bieber is not only ready to drop his new album, he’s also ready to move on from apologizing and being judged over past missteps. Notably, the young singer is no longer getting into trouble, and has said many times this year that his renewed faith in Christianity helps him balance his high-octane life.

In just 17 days time, Justin Bieber will release his upcoming album, Purpose. Even without the hype, it is one of the most anticipated records of 2015, and a make-or-break moment in his career. In an interview with Radio 1 Breakfast Show‘s Nick Grimshaw, the now back-on-track Bieber said he is finally making the music he “wanted to make,” having a “say” in his career for the first time, and also declared he is “done apologizing.”

After banter about pints and tequila, prompted by Grimmy, Justin was asked what he wants people to take from his album and whether he felt it is an important one for him, given the expectations.

“Just to feel happy, feel inspired,” Justin said, referring to what he hopes listeners get from his album.

Elaborating, he said, “I named the album Purpose, and the reason I named it Purpose was because for a while there I feel like I lost my purpose, and I feel like I found my purpose again.”

The Biebs added, “Maybe that message is to say that, no matter how far you feel like you are away from yourself or you feel like you don’t have your purpose, or you don’t know what your purpose is or you feel like you lost your purpose — there’s always room to find that purpose again.”

Justin went on to refer to another famous Justin (Timberlake) to explain that he now feels he has a real say in his own career.

“I never was really able to make the music that I wanted to make and I was really young,” the Biebs says. “I had people telling me what to record and giving me songs and stuff.”

The heartthrob continued, “So it really wasn’t my music. Like, it was but it wasn’t… I’m glad now that I really have [a] say in what I do and feel like this is my project.”

Of that other Justin, he said “Look at Justin Timberlake, he was in N Sync and — of course — they had an amazing sound but it was young. It was for teenagers. I feel like he transitioned when he started making ‘Sexy Back’ and stuff.”

“It takes time as an artist for you to develop your style and develop what you like and what you don’t like.”

So far, the Biebs has had an incredible 2015. Kicking off with a Calvin Klein campaign in January; Vogue, Testino, and Lagerfeld photoshoots; and magazine covers, he subsequently shut down Photoshoppng rumors — albeit at the cost of his privacy — when nude photographs of him were snapped without his knowledge or consent by a paparazzo in Bora Bora earlier this month.

The singer went platinum, both literally and sales-wise, with “Where Are Ü Now?”, his collaboration with Jack Ü’s Diplo and Skrillex, then “What Do You Mean?”, the first single released from Purpose. It spent five weeks at No. 1 in the U.K. and propelled him into the history books when “Mean” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart on September 8.

That said, when asked how he measured success, despite admitting he is competitive, Justin offered a Zen-like reply.

“Creating something that you love or doing something that you love and being passionate about it,” said the singer. “Like, it’s not like I have to get a No. 1 to succeed with this song [‘Sorry’].”

He added, “I succeeded when I recorded it. You know, ’cause I was able to do what I loved and put it on pen and paper.”

Producer @bloodpop breaks down his work on @justinbieber‘s #Sorry. https://t.co/VSEJQ1ygGv pic.twitter.com/zx5Abgm04f

— The FADER (@thefader) October 27, 2015

Justin was also asked for his view on the mostly vicious criticism he has faced while growing up in the spotlight.

Responding, the Biebs first talked about scrutiny in terms of fans. “If you, like, are so invested in people loving you, then when people start hating on you, you’ll die by the hate. So, I just try to just be neutral,” he said.

Of tabloids and media, the singer reflected, “If I see something in the tabloids, I’m like, you know what it sucks that they gotta say that, but you know what I’m gonna still drink my beer and hang.”

Justin added, “I’m able to just handle all this stuff more the past couple of months, just ’cause I’m more understanding of what it entails to be in my position. You go through trial and error, and you go through moments of messing up, which is normal. Every human should do that.”

He went on, “The fact that people weren’t open to me making mistakes was almost really hypocritical, because we all know, you were 19 and 20 and making mistakes.”

“Of course I have access to a lot more stuff and I’m under a microscope,” Justin continued, “I got cameras on me all the time, so I understand… but I’m done really apologizing.”

The interview wrapped with Grimmy referencing the Biebs’ brand new single, “Sorry.” Interestingly, in an interview with Australia’s Nova 96.9 “Smallzy’s Surgery” radio show while backstage at the MTV EMAs in Milan, Italy, this past weekend, the Biebs revealed who the song is directed to.

Justin explained that “Sorry” is his last apology to everyone, to draw a line under the numerous apologies he has made this year.

“Basically, what it is, is just like it’s kinda the stamp, the end-all of the apologies that I’m giving to people, to the media,” he said. “There needs to come a time where they’re just like, ‘We get it.’ And I think putting out a song saying I’m sorry puts the finishing icing on the cake… I’m just ready to move on.”

Fair points, Justin Bieber. Fair points. The pop prince said a lot more in the Radio 1 sit-down. Check out the videos above, and look for Purpose when it touches down on November 13.

[Images via RTL / Instagram]