Image via Complex Original
Today, Justin Bieber graced the cover of Complex's 10th Anniversary Issue. It's no secret that the world's biggest pop star is infatuated with hip-hop—and JayBee isn't catching flack for it, either. Hip-hop has embraced the Canadian kid, and with collaborators like Drake and Kanye West, we fully expect that his next album, Believe, will bring out his rap side more than ever. Whether you're a skeptic or a true believer, keep reading for a recap of Justin Bieber's Most Hip-Hop Moments...
Nicki Minaj Causes (Jungle) Bieber Fever
When: 9/12/2010
What Happened?: Our favorite Barbie and Biebs exchanged kisses at the 2010 MTV VMAs.
Complex Says: Then Nicki went on Funkmaster Flex's radio show and said she thought the teen had caught Jungle Fever (and went on to talk about her Complex cover).
The Biebs Brings Out Diggy Simmons
When: 9/7/2010
What Happened?: The duo was photographed together at the Teen Choice Awards in early August, and Justin let Diggy spit a verse at his Allentown, Pennsylvania concert a month later.
Complex Says: We guess it's hip-hop that he does Jay-Z's whole "pointing the fans out" routine at the end of his concerts, too.
The "Runaway Love" Remix With Kanye West and Raekwon
When: 8/30/2010
What Happened?: After raving about the original on Twitter and vowing to get Bieber on a song with himself and Raekwon, Kanye lived up to his word.
Complex Says: This is probably JayBee's single most authentically hip-hop moment. No complaints.
Biebs Gets Down With Jim Jones
When: 8/25/2010
What Happened?: Bieber posted the tweet above, which resulted in a little back-and-forth with Capo on the social networking site.
Complex Says: He's rapped over Cam'ron and Vado's "Speaking In Tungs" and has done Jimmy's infamous "One-Eyed-Willie" pose. Is Justin Bieber the next Dipset member or what?
"Pretty Boy Swag" Freestyle
When: 8/14/2010
What Happened?: During a sound check for the Columbus, Ohio stop on his My World tour, Biebs busted into some impromptu bars over Soulja Boy's hit.
Complex Says: Dude is kinda bold. Peep the shots at Mike Vick!
Dr. Dre Makes Multiple Beats for Biebs
When: July 20, 2010 and September 30, 2010
What Happened?: First, Justin tweeted that he was in the studio with the legendary producer. Then a couple months of later, he got his own line of Just Beats headphones under the Beats by Dr. Dre line.
Complex Says: Dre hasn't had a hot beat in ages. Don't do it, kid! (Good call on the headphones, though.)
"Never Say Never" With Jaden Smith
When: 5/27/2010
What Happened?: The youngsters recorded a track together for The Karate Kid soundtrack.
Complex Says: Jaden, stick to acting—it worked for your dad. Leave the music to Willow.
"Rich Girl" With Soulja Boy Tell 'Em
When: 5/22/2010
What Happened?: Since both were familiar with fame, fortune, and Twitter devotees at an early age, it was only a matter of time before these two collabed.
Complex Says: We like girls who pay for dinner, too.
Bieber Meets Eminem
When: 5/21/2010
What Happened?: No back-story ever turned up, but yeah, they took a picture together.
Complex Says: This is an accomplishment, considering the fact that Eminem has killed or defiled most other pop stars in his songs.
"Baby" Remix With Drake
When: 4/18/2010
What Happened?: After making a cameo in the original's music video (along with Lil Twist), Drizzy showed up during Bieber's performance at the 2010 Juno Awards (basically the Canadian Grammys) and dropped his remix verse.
Complex Says: Imagine how viral a video of JB getting hit by a bottle while Drake slipped on stage would have been.
Tim Westwood Freestyle
When: 3/19/2010
What Happened?: While in the UK, Justin stopped by the BBC studios and spit some rhymes live on-air.
Complex Says: "Shout out to my boys up there in Canada/I used to live there 'til I moved to Atlanta/Where the girls are so hot, yeah the girls are fine, too/Catching Bieber Fever, forget the Swine Flu." BARS!!!
Drops "Baby" With Ludacris
When: 1/18/2010
What Happened?: The pop star released his biggest song to date, with a standout verse from the ATL rapper.
Complex Says: JayBee even rapped Luda's verse on 106 & Park.
Lil B Makes Song Called "Justin Bieber"
When: 2/7/2011
What Happened?: After making songs about everyone from Miley Cyrus to Ellen Degeneres, Lil B finally got around to The Biebs.
Complex Says: Imagine if Justin was really a Lil B fan? He'd be all like, "OMG Based God! You can date Selena Gomez."
Biebs Takes A Flick With Young Jeezy
When: 2/21/2011
What Happened?: The two stars were snapped together at the studio. We figured they're do a song together but Jeezy later explained they weren't working together.
Complex Says: Ah Snowman, can he get an ad-lib?
Tyler, The Creator Finally Meets Biebs
When: 2/25/2011
Video:
What Happened?: Tyler never hid the fact that he always wanted to meet The Biebs. In February, thanks to a little help from Diddy, he got his wish. Tyler even tweeted that Bieber said he liked "Yonkers."
Complex Says: We wonder how many of Justin's fans also like "Yonkers." We're guessing not many.
Spits Busta Rhyme's "Look At Me Now" Verse With Chris Brown In Sydney
When: 4/28/2011
What Happened?: In the middle of his set, Bieber brought out Breezy to do Brown's hit single and he even spit Busta Rhyme's tongue twisting, double-time verse.
Complex Says: Sorry, Karmin still has the greatest cover of Busta's "Look At Me Now" verse.
Bieber Says Kanye's "Not Really an A**hole"
When: 7/12/2011
What Happened?: When Biebs sat down with XXL, he explained that Kanye gets a bad rap and he's actually a pretty great guy.
Complex Says: Kanye may be a bit misunderstood at times, but we're glad Justin gets him.
Bieber Covers Drake's "Trust Issues"
When: 8/28/2011
What Happened?: Bieber went in on his buddy Drake's song.
Complex Says: The only lame part was he self-censored the curses and drug references.
Photographed In The Studio With DJ Drama
When: 8/31/2011
What Happened?: While in the studio with Bieber, DJ Drama tweeted a picture of them together.
Complex Says: We're still waiting on Shawty Mane's Gangsta Grillz mixtape!
Tries To Be Apart of BET Cyphers, Gets Shut Down By DJ Premier
When: 10/17/2011
What Happened?: According to DJ Premier, Biebs wanted to take part in the super-popular BET Cyphers but was refused by DJ Premier because Justin wanted Ludacris to write his rhymes for him.
Complex Says: Premier later commented that he was open to working with Bieber.
Locks In Drake and Kanye West For His Upcoming Album "Believe"
When: 10/26/2011
What Happened?: When asked about his upcoming album Believe, Justin explained that he's working with both Kanye and Drizzy.
Complex Says: If you're a rapper, how much does it suck that you can't get a 'Ye beat or a Drake hook but Biebs can? Hurts, don't it?
Freestyles Over "Otis"
When: 11/2/2011
What Happened?: Bieber stopped by Big Boy's show on Power 106 in L.A. and went in on Jay and 'Ye's single. Wasn't half bad either.
Complex Says: [Otis scream.]
Freestyles Over "DWYCK" on Hot 97
When: 11/18/2011
What Happened?: While at Hot 97 in NYC with Peter Rosenberg, Cipha Sounds, and K. Foxx, Bieber got on the mic and spit a few bars.
Complex Says: Props to Hot 97 for throwing on a classic Premier beat.
Freestyles Over "Who Shot Ya"
When: 12/20/2011
What Happened?: At this point, Biebs had been freestyling several times—except his rhymes sounded written and rehearsed. But not this time, as he actually went off the dome at 97.5 in Las Vegas.
Complex Says: Jadakiss once freestyled over "Who Shot Ya?" and reasoned that the beat was only for the big dogs... He was kinda right.
Biebs Take Epic Photo With Several Rappers
When: 12/20/2011
What Happened?: Justin tweeted a photo of himself with a gang of famous people.
Complex Says: You know what all these people (even that random girl) have in common? They all know Kanye.
Biebs Collaborates With Asher Roth
When: 1/8/2012
What Happened?: While talking to Bootleg Kev, Asher Roth mentioned that his upcoming album has a song that features both Justin Bieber and Chris Brown.
Complex Says: This shouldn't come as a surprise since Roth and Bieber share the same manager, Scooter Braun.
