Honestly, if you were anywhere near a radio or a computer back in 2012, you couldn't escape it. That "party like it’s 3012" line? It was everywhere. Justin Bieber Beauty and a Beat wasn't just another pop song. It was a weird, frantic, and surprisingly bold transition for a kid trying to shake off the "Baby" image.
The track basically felt like a fever dream at Raging Waters.
Most people remember the video—the GoPro footage, the synchronized swimmers, and Nicki Minaj suddenly appearing in a pink tutu. But the story of how this song actually came together is way more interesting than just a day at a waterpark. It was a calculated risk that almost didn't happen.
The Song Zedd Almost Kept
You might not know this, but "Beauty and a Beat" started in a completely different place. Zedd, who was then the rising prince of EDM, actually wrote the skeleton of the track for his own debut album, Clarity. He didn't think it fit his vibe. It was too "pop," maybe?
He ended up in a room with Max Martin and Savan Kotecha. If you know anything about pop history, that’s basically the equivalent of the Avengers assembling. They polished it up specifically for Bieber’s Believe album. Interestingly, this is the only song on that entire record that Justin didn't have a hand in writing. He just showed up and did the work.
It's a heavy mix of:
💡 You might also like: Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail: Is the New York Botanical Garden Event Worth Your Money?
- Pulsing EDM synthesizers
- A 128 BPM tempo that's perfect for clubs
- That "acid house" breakdown right before the bridge
Max Martin's "melody first" philosophy is all over this. The hook is sticky. It's designed to stay in your head until you're humming it at 3:00 AM.
That Nicki Minaj Verse (and the "Selener" Line)
We have to talk about Nicki.
At the time, she was the only choice. Justin specifically said he wanted a female rapper and felt she was the "best choice" to fit the energy. Her verse is iconic for all the wrong and right reasons. "Buns out, wiener" is a lyric that definitely exists. But the real kicker was the "keep an eye out for Selener" line.
It was a direct nod to Selena Gomez, Justin’s girlfriend at the time. In 2026, looking back at the "Jelena" era feels like looking at ancient history, but in 2012, that was the most talked-about couple on the planet. Putting that name-drop in a hit single was a massive meta-moment for fans.
The Viral Heist That Fooled Everyone
The marketing for the music video was kind of genius, actually.
📖 Related: Diego Klattenhoff Movies and TV Shows: Why He’s the Best Actor You Keep Forgetting You Know
In October 2012, Justin started tweeting about how his personal laptop and camera were stolen at a show in Washington state. An "anonymous blogger" started threatening to release "personal footage." The internet went into a total meltdown. Everyone thought it was going to be something scandalous.
Then, the link dropped.
It wasn't a leak. It was the music video. It started with a black screen claiming the footage was "stolen" and "illegally uploaded." It was all a prank. The video itself, co-directed by Justin and Jon M. Chu (the guy who did Crazy Rich Asians), was shot almost entirely on GoPros and an Olympus Tough TG-1.
They filmed it at Raging Waters in San Dimas. It was meant to look like one continuous take of a wild, private party. Justin’s sliding down the waterslide at the end? That was real. No stunt doubles. Just a teenager having a blast in a closed-off theme park.
Why It Still Matters Today
In the grand scheme of Bieber’s career, this song was the bridge. It took him from the teen-pop world into the EDM-heavy sound that would later define his Purpose era. Without "Beauty and a Beat," we probably don't get "Where Are Ü Now" or "Sorry."
👉 See also: Did Mac Miller Like Donald Trump? What Really Happened Between the Rapper and the President
The numbers are still ridiculous.
- It hit 1 billion streams on Spotify by late 2024.
- The video has over 1.1 billion views on YouTube.
- It peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s easy to dismiss it as a dated 2010s dance track, but there’s a reason it’s a staple in his setlists (even as he preps for his rumored Coachella 2026 return). It represents a time when pop music stopped being afraid of the "rave" sound.
How to Revisit the Track Like an Expert
If you're going back to listen to it now, don't just put on the radio edit. Look for the remix EP released in December 2012. The acoustic version, in particular, shows off Justin’s actual vocal range without all the Max Martin "gloss" over the top. It’s a completely different song when you strip away the drum machines.
Also, if you're ever in California, Raging Waters still leans into the "Bieber" history. It's one of those weird pop-culture landmarks that hasn't changed much since he filmed there.
Next Steps for the Obsessed:
- Compare the studio version to the 2013 Acoustic version—it highlights how much the production hides his natural tone.
- Watch the "Behind the Scenes" footage on YouTube; you can see exactly how they rigged the GoPros to get those "shaky cam" pool shots.
- Check out Zedd's early live sets from 2013 to hear how he originally intended the beat to sound before it became a Bieber anthem.
The track is a time capsule. It captures a specific moment when Justin was the biggest thing on earth and the world was just starting to embrace the EDM-pop crossover that dominates today.