by The Unlikely Friendship Between Pop Royalty: Exploring the Common Ground Between Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran
On the surface, Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran seem like unlikely friends. Bieber rose to fame as a teen pop star known for catchy dance songs, while Sheeran broke through with an acoustic folk sound. However, over the years these two musical powerhouses have developed an unexpected friendship and creative partnership. While their public personas and styles of music differ greatly, digging deeper reveals some key areas of common ground that have undoubtedly brought Bieber and Sheeran together.
Music – Their Shared Songwriting Roots
At the core of any artistic friendship is a mutual appreciation for the creative process. For Bieber and Sheeran, that process centers around songwriting. Both artists are renowned for their talents and dedication to penning their own material from a young age. Bieber learned guitar as a child and would write and record demo songs, eventually catching the attention of talent managers on YouTube. Sheeran also started playing guitar and writing songs in his teens before being discovered on the London underground circuit.
This early immersion in songwriting no doubt fostered in each artist an intense passion and skill for crafting melodies and lyrics. While their musical styles have evolved quite differently as their careers progressed, the foundation of songwriting remains central to who they are as artists. Bieber and Sheeran both approach the studio as singer-songwriters first rather than just performers, looking to leave their unique stamp on every track.
Appreciating Each Other’s Artistry
Beyond just their shared roots, Bieber and Sheeran likely share an appreciation for the artistry found across various genres of music. While they’ve each found success primarily within pop and pop-folk styles, both have incorporated wide-ranging influences into their work over the years. Bieber’s recent album Changes experimented with R&B and dance sounds, while Sheeran’s x incorporated elements of rap, rock, and acoustic ballads.
In interviews, each has expressed admiration for artists outside their main genres. Bieber has cited influences like Michael Jackson and Usher, and Sheeran names The Beatles and Eminem among his favorites. Their willingness to absorb diverse styles suggests they recognize and celebrate creative expression in any form. This open-minded musical philosophy no doubt contributes to their ability to connect on an artistic level despite differences in their public personas.
Collaborating in the Studio
Perhaps the strongest evidence of Bieber and Sheeran’s musical synergy comes from their collaborative work together. In 2019, they teamed up to release the global smash hit “I Don’t Care” alongside producer DJ Khaled. The song melded Sheeran’s acoustic folk sensibilities with Bieber’s smooth pop vocals over an upbeat hip-hop beat.
By all accounts, the recording process for “I Don’t Care” was highly productive and enjoyable for both artists. Sheeran spoke of feeling comfortable bouncing lyrics and melodies off Bieber in the studio. Meanwhile, Bieber praised Sheeran’s songwriting abilities and appreciated his willingness to experiment with new sounds. The success of “I Don’t Care,” topping charts in over 10 countries, is a testament to the creative chemistry between these two singer-songwriters when combined in the studio.
Facing Fame from a Young Age
While their talents have brought immense rewards, Bieber and Sheeran also understand the challenges of navigating fame and the music industry from a young age. Bieber was only 13 when his first singles took off in 2008, thrusting him into worldwide stardom by age 16. Sheeran also broke out globally in his early 20s with hit albums like “+” and “x.” Both experienced intense public scrutiny and pressure as teen idols.
The lifestyle adjustments and loss of privacy that come with fame at such a formative time no doubt created shared experiences and perspectives. Bieber has spoken about suffering depression and acting out during his late teens and early 20s, while Sheeran has discussed retreating from the spotlight during breaks to focus on his mental health and relationships. Their willingness to be open about the difficulties of maintaining wellness may be another point of understanding between them.
Staying Creative and Motivated
Sustaining a long career in the cutthroat music business requires constant motivation and a drive to grow as an artist. After over a decade in the public eye, Bieber and Sheeran likely share wisdom on maintaining creativity within the industry machine. Both have evolved their public image and sound significantly since their debuts to keep audiences engaged.
Bieber transitioned from a clean-cut teen pop prince to a mature adult making explicit R&B-flavored music on albums like Purpose and Changes. Sheeran has also branched out stylistically from his early acoustic folk roots into pop crossover smashes, collaborations in different genres, and cinematic song placements in movies like The Hobbit. Their willingness to take risks and avoid getting pigeonholed has no doubt contributed to sustained success.
Personal Connections
While less is known about their personal lives, Bieber and Sheeran have hinted at bonding over interests outside of music as well. Both enjoy fashion and have experimented with bold, high-end streetwear styles over the years. They’ve also supported many of the same charitable causes like mental health awareness and children’s hospitals. Bieber and Sheeran may find common ground discussing philanthropic work and ways to use their platforms for positive change.
On a more basic level, as husbands and new fathers in their late 20s, they likely relate to navigating relationships and family responsibilities amidst hectic careers. Sheeran married his high school sweetheart Cherry Seaborn in 2019, while Bieber and wife Hailey Baldwin wed the same year. In 2020, Sheeran and his wife welcomed a daughter, and Bieber has expressed his desire to start a family soon as well. Finding balance between work, marriage, and parenthood is a challenge they can understand and support each other through.
An Unlikely but Authentic Bond
While their public personas and artistic styles differ greatly, digging deeper reveals meaningful commonalities have developed between Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran over the years. Both approached music from a young age as singer-songwriters dedicated to the craft of composition. They’ve developed admiration for diverse genres of music and a creative synergy evident in collaborations.
Facing unprecedented fame at impressionable ages created shared experiences navigating the industry. An intrinsic drive to evolve musically and use their platforms constructively for good also connects them. On more personal levels, interests in fashion, philanthropy and now family life provide further points of understanding an authentic bond.
Rather than forced collaboration for commercial gain, Bieber and Sheeran’s friendship appears rooted in a mutual artistic respect and ability to relate on experiences beyond surface levels. Their partnership shows that meaningful connections can form between unlikely peers who share the right values, passion and life perspectives – a testament to the power of creativity and wellness to bring disparate talents together.
