You’ve probably seen the photo. It’s 2016, a smoky club in Houston, and Post Malone has his hand around Justin Bieber’s throat. It looks like a bar fight about to go nuclear. For a few hours that night, the internet was convinced that the "Purpose" tour had just imploded.
But it didn't. Honestly, it was just two guys being dudes.
The story of Justin Bieber and Post Malone isn’t a narrative of rivalry or PR-managed collabs. It’s actually one of the weirdest, most genuine brotherhoods in the industry. They’ve gone from roughhousing in Texas lounges to helping each other navigate the sheer, soul-crushing weight of global fame. If you think this was just about a couple of hit songs, you’re missing the bigger picture of how these two actually saved each other's sanity.
Why the Post Malone and Justin Bieber Bond is Real
Most celeb "friendships" are basically just contracts signed in a boardroom. "You feature on my track, I’ll tag you on IG." Boring. Bieber and Posty happened because of a cigarette and a few beers. When Post Malone opened for the Purpose World Tour in 2016, he was still the "White Iverson" guy—a rising star with braids who wasn't sure if he’d be a one-hit wonder.
Bieber, already a veteran of the paparazzi wars, took him under his wing.
Posty has openly called Justin his "big brother." It’s a funny dynamic when you think about it. Post Malone looks like he’s lived three lifetimes in a dive bar, and Bieber has been a teen idol since he had a bowl cut. Yet, they clicked. During that 2016 tour, they spent months together. They weren't just rehearsing; they were living.
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That "choking" incident? Post Malone had to hop on Twitter (now X) to clarify things because people were losing their minds. He basically said they were just roughhousing and that he loves Justin "more than life."
The Music: Beyond Just "Deja Vu"
We have to talk about the tracks. When they finally got into the studio together for "Deja Vu" on Post’s debut album Stoney, the vibe was sluggish, moody, and perfect. It wasn't a forced pop hit. It sounded like two guys hanging out at 3:00 AM because they didn't want to go home.
- Deja Vu (2016): This was the first real proof that their voices actually worked together. Bieber’s clean, breathy pop vocals against Post’s gravelly, vibrato-heavy delivery.
- Forever (2020): Fast forward to Bieber’s Changes album. They teamed up again, this time with Clever. It showed a shift. They weren't just kids on tour anymore; they were both dealing with massive life changes—marriages, sobriety, and a changing industry.
People always ask why they haven't released ten more songs. Kinda simple: they don't have to. They aren't trying to "optimize" their friendship for the Billboard charts. When they work together, it's because they're actually in the same room.
That Time Post Called Hillsong a "Cult"
Real friends tell you the truth, even if it’s awkward. In 2017, Post Malone did a massive interview with Rolling Stone where he didn't hold back. At the time, Bieber was deep into his Hillsong Church era, spending all his time with Carl Lentz.
Posty called it out. He said it was "culty" and expressed concern about Bieber giving millions to the church. He wasn't being a hater; he was being a worried friend. He said, "He’s a genuinely good guy... but it’s a total cult."
A lot of friendships would have ended right there. Publicly criticizing your friend’s religion is usually a bridge burner. But for these two? It didn't stick. They moved past it. That’s the E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) of real-world relationships—navigating friction without a "cancel" button.
What Most People Get Wrong About 2025 and 2026
If you search for them right now, you’ll see a bunch of "New 2025 Collab" videos on YouTube. Warning: most of those are AI-generated. There have been tracks like "I Fall Into You" or "Tell Me How To Heal" floating around that sound suspiciously like them. They aren't real. In 2025 and heading into 2026, both artists have been on slightly different trajectories. Post Malone has gone full country-rock, dominating with F-1 Trillion, while Justin has been more private, focusing on his health and his new role as a father.
But don't let the lack of a 2026 tour announcement fool you. They are still in each other's orbits.
Post Malone has even joked in the past about wanting to be the "flower boy" or "ring bearer" at Justin’s wedding. That’s the level of comfort we're talking about. You don't say that to someone you just "work" with.
Insights for Fans and Creators
So, what can we actually learn from the way these two handled their careers and their connection?
- Authenticity over Optics: The "choking" photo would have been a PR nightmare for most. They turned it into a joke. Being "messy" is sometimes more relatable than being perfect.
- Creative Synergy: Don't force a collaboration. "Deja Vu" worked because they were already friends. If you're a creator, find people you actually like before you try to "scale" a partnership.
- Longevity Requires Distance: They don't hang out every day. They don't post together every week. That’s why, when they do, it actually matters.
The "Bieber and Posty" era changed how we look at pop-rap crossovers. It wasn't about the genre; it was about the energy. While the headlines in 2026 might be focused on Post Malone’s "Big Ass Stadium Tour" or Justin’s potential comeback, the foundation of their bond remains one of the few real things left in Hollywood.
If you're looking to dive deeper into their discography, start with the Stoney era. It’s the rawest version of their creative spark. From there, check out the live footage from the 2016 tour—you can see the "big brother" dynamic in real-time, long before the tattoos covered Posty's face and before Justin found his peace.
Keep an eye on official credits for the rest of 2026. If they do drop something new, it won't be a leak on a random AI channel; it’ll be a moment that stops the industry in its tracks. Again.