"I had to pause it for a minute" - Fans react to Druski telling Justin Bieber his soul is Black on the 'Soulful' interlude from new album SWAG

Justin Bieber surprised his fans by releasing his first album in four years on July 11. Titled SWAG, the album features collaborations with Daniel Caesar, mk.gee, Lil B and others. Three of the album’s 21 tracks are interludes which feature conversations between Bieber and comedian Druski.

In the first interlude of the album, titled Soulful, Druski sentimentally tells Bieber that despite his skin being white, his ‘soul is black,’ prompting fans and netizens to react to the statement.

The internet exploded in reactions to Bieber’s album, and particularly to Druski’s comments on the pop star’s music and personality.

Taking to X, a fan reposted a gif of a young girl reacting excitedly, and alongside a crying emoji, wrote,

“i had to pause it for a minute”

i had to pause it for a minute 😭 https://t.co/URbJyMp5mf

— k ☆ (@mekgyalupset) July 12, 2025

A fan commented on Soulful in YouTube’s comment sections, and wrote,

“This is exactly why we love him and his music”

Despite some fans of Justin Bieber appreciating Druski’s words, the comments polarised fan reaction on social media platforms.

Recalling a similar moment when singer Patti LaBelle called Ariana Grande a “white/Black girl,” an X user posted a clip of the moment and compared it to the polarised fan sentiment generated by Druski’s comments, and wrote,

“druski to justin on soulful”

druski to justin on soulful pic.twitter.com/9yEba6Fhv7

— ą ʑ ų Ɩ ą 𐚁 (@azulademiee) July 11, 2025

Another netizen posted a gif of an older woman looking confused, and wrote,

“I’m listening to this Justin Bieber album. Druski talking about he got the soul of a black man and Justin said ‘thank you’. sir?”

i’m listening to this Justin Bieber album. Druski talking about he got the soul of a black man and Justin said “thank you”. sir? pic.twitter.com/DPE4rNm1vN

— ‎ً (@kimbeIla) July 11, 2025

A netizen provided his rationale behind criticizing the exchange, and stated,

“New Justin Bieber album is a solid 2.5/5 maybe. The druski skits are very weird, and I don’t like the obsession some Black people have with talented white people ‘having a Black soul.’ There is no cookout.”

Another fan added a lighthearted spin on the contentious comments, and wrote,

“I’m not gonna take Druski too seriously because .. it’s Druski. But Justin Bieber does not sound Black. at all.”

A netizens posted a gif of a woman laughing mockingly, and wrote,

"Druski said your outside is white but 'inside you black' And Justin bieber said thank you thank you' I’m screaminjdjskfh"

What did Druski say to Justin Bieber in Soulful?

On the track Soulful from Justin Bieber’s album, SWAG, Druski commented on the R&B and soul influences of Bieber’s music.

Appreciating the singer’s sound, Druski said,

“No, I said this album kinda sound, you got some soul on this album too, bro. You kinda sound black on this m———-, man.”

Continuing, Druski added,

“You got a lil, ayy, I'm telling you, you more than two percent. On this album right here, I can hear the soul.”

While Bieber could be heard thanking Druski in the background, the comedian continued and stated,

“Your soul is black. Your skin white, but your soul black, Justin, I promise you, man…you sure you don't want no Black & Mild?”

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Bieber has sought to highlight his R&B influences on his new album.

The publication notes that Bieber’s recent music prominently includes the genre’s characteristic reverb alongside other elements from the genres of hip-hop and gospel.