Justin Bieber premiered his reportedly clubby, upcoming single, “What Do You Mean,” with manager Scooter Braun when they rocked up to the iHeartMedia Music Summit yesterday. And, if that juicy tidbit isn’t enough, there’s more.
According to USA Today , the Biebs’ highly anticipated, fourth studio album will drop “some time in September.” The young superstar surprised assembled radio programmers at the iHeartRadio Theater in Burbank, California, on Wednesday (July 5), when he walked out on stage and had a faux mic-tussle with Braun before talking up his new single and album.
@justinbieber surprised us during @scooterbraun ‘s presentation at our music summit. #JustinBieber #johnivey pic.twitter.com/pnQKGsZTxt
— Deuce (@DeuceOnTheAir) August 5, 2015
On July 29, Justin announced with Ryan Seacrest that his new single lands on August 28. Since then, a star-studded roll call of celebrities including Ruby Rose, James Corden, the mighty Mariah Carey , Kylie Jenner, Travis Scott, Shaq, and Ashley Benson featured in a daily promotional campaign counting down to the “Mean” release.
During that interview, the heartthrob was asked if his single was similar to “Where Are Ü Now” , his EDM hit with Jack Ü’s Skrillex and Diplo. The 21-year-old replied it was, adding that it was an up-tempo, “summery,” “pop,” but “cool” record that’s about “flip-floppy” girls he finds hard to decipher.
After hearing the song, USA Today agreed, writing, “It sounds like Bieber has been taking notes from ‘Where Are Ü Now’ collaborators Skrillex and Diplo: ‘What Do You Mean’ is a catchy dance track for the club.”
The outlet described the single as “a catchy song, with plenty of bass and a slick beat that incorporates the sound of an eery, ticking clock that underscores his lyrics.”
In the chorus, Justin asks, “What do you mean? / You don’t want me to move, but you tell me to go. / What do you mean?/ You nod your head yes, but you wanna say no.”
Is the Calvin Klein singing about his former girlfriend, Selena Gomez, or other gal pals?
The former couple were spotted hanging out cozily at a Beverly Hills hotel last month. But sources told People and E! News that there is nothing romantic between the pair.
Onstage, Justin told the iHeartMedia Music crowd how proud he is of his upcoming single, and the rest of his reportedly September-dropping album.
“My music is very awesome, actually. I’ve been working really hard on it. I’ve been taking my time. I haven’t put out an album in over three years,” he said.
The Biebs went on to acknowledge that it’s “been kinda a rough couple of years” for him, adding “I think people want to see me fail.” He then said he has “been working my hardest to not let that happen. I’m still that same kid that you guys met a long time ago. I want you guys to take this journey with me.”
[Note: Hits Daily Double’s report on Bieber’s full address differs in places. Read it here .]
Who’s #johnivey you ask? He’s the program director at @1027kiisfm ! Let @jojowright explain… http://t.co/OGgN2A1QSo pic.twitter.com/mrJRM1623S
— 102.7 KIIS-FM (@1027KIISFM) August 5, 2015
During the summit, Bieber and other artists on Braun’s roster shared #JohnIvey on Twitter . It quickly soared to the No. 1 worldwide trending topic on the network. Beliebers retweeted it, initially not knowing who it referred to.
As it turns out, Team Bieber was cleverly charming the social media pants off the Senior VP of iHeartMedia, who is also the program director of the KIIS Los Angeles radio station. Ivey oversees 40 stations nationwide for iHeartMedia, which is the largest pop radio chain in the U.S., with a reach that includes the 60 million users of the iHeartRadio app.
In other words, if you’re an artist about to break a new single , Ivey is the man you want in your corner.
Robesman, a radio promoter and writer at Noisey Music and Four Pins, summed Justin’s leading the #JohnIvey trend in tweets.
bieber making john ivey the number 1 trending topic on twitter setting up his own record for radio, brilliant / savage
— robesman (@robesman) August 5, 2015
the beliebers are freaking out in my mentions rn. just google john ivey and my tweet will make sense.
— robesman (@robesman) August 5, 2015
@justinbieber love you buddy!!!
— John Ivey (@johnivey) August 5, 2015
Hahaha. #johnivey is the #1 trending topic in the world. @iHeartRadio thanks for having me. #WhatDoYouMean ?
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) August 5, 2015
@scooterbraun @justinbieber you guys are nuts! Thanks Speedy!!!
— John Ivey (@johnivey) August 5, 2015
It sounds like the Biebs’ introduction of his new single at the iHeartMedia Music Summit was positively received. Now, it’s up to Beliebers to do the business when it’s released.
What Do You Mean? A bunch of people who met on farmers only. Com ) lol. @iHeartRadio but no #johnivey … #22DAYS pic.twitter.com/f619pQK7sd
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) August 6, 2015
[Images via Getty Images]