How Justin Bieber Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Justin Bieber across different fields.

Justin Bieber is a Canadian singer and pop icon recognized for his genre-spanning music. Discovered in 2008 by Scooter Braun and Usher, who jointly signed him to RBMG Records, Bieber gained international fame with his debut EP, My World (2009). The release solidified his status as a prominent teen idol.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1963: Stevie Wonder's Achievement

In January 2010, Justin Bieber debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with My World 2.0, making him the youngest solo male act to top the chart since Stevie Wonder in 1963.

1965: Elvis Presley's Record

In 2021, Justin Bieber broke Elvis Presley's 1965 record for the youngest solo act to have eight US number-one albums.

1995: Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill

In 2015, the writer compared Bieber's EDM-driven album Purpose (2015), to Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill (1995) album.

1998: Madonna's Ray of Light

In 2015, the writer compared Bieber's EDM-driven album Purpose (2015), to Madonna's Ray of Light (1998) album.

2006: Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds

In 2015, the writer compared Bieber's EDM-driven album Purpose (2015), to Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006) album.

2010: Trending on Twitter

In 2010, Justin Bieber was frequently a trending topic on Twitter and was named the top-trending star on the platform.

June 2011: "That Should Be Me" Wins CMT Music Award

In June 2011, the album track "That Should Be Me" (featuring Rascal Flatts) from Never Say Never won Bieber his first award in country music for Collaborative Video of the Year at the CMT Music Awards. Also in June 2011, Time magazine named Bieber one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He was also ranked No. 2 on the Forbes list of Best-Paid Celebrities under 30, having earned $53 million in a 12-month period. The collaborative single "Next to You" with Chris Brown was released, with the official video released on June 17, 2011.

2011: Honored with a star in Stratford, Ontario

In 2011, Justin Bieber was honored with a star in front of the Avon Theater in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, where he used to busk when he was younger.

2011: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2011, Time named Justin Bieber one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2011: Cultural Icon Comparison

In a 2011 article, Orlando Sentinel compared Justin Bieber's cultural significance to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, highlighting Bieber as one of the most prominent cultural icons influencing and inspiring society.

January 2012: Statement on artistic direction in V magazine

In January 2012, Justin Bieber expressed his desire to develop his artistry at his own pace, avoiding themes like sex, drugs, and swearing, and focusing on love.

2013: Listed Among Forbes' Top Ten Most Powerful Celebrities

From 2011 to 2013, Forbes listed Justin Bieber among the top ten most powerful celebrities.

2015: Anne Frank House exhibit

In October 2018, the "Steps to Stardom" exhibit broke attendance records set by the Anne Frank House exhibit in 2015.

October 2018: "Steps to Stardom" Extended

In October 2018, the "Steps to Stardom" exhibit at the Stratford Perth Museum, showcasing Justin Bieber's early career, was extended for at least another year due to breaking attendance records.

February 2019: Vogue Interview

In February 2019, Justin Bieber stated in an interview with Vogue that he would "laugh at his past self", reflecting on his personal growth and change.

2020: Opening up about addiction in docu-series

In 2020, Justin Bieber opened up about his struggles with addiction in his American YouTube docu-series Seasons, detailing his consumption of lean, MDMA, and hallucinogenic mushrooms in the early stages of his career.

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November 19, 2021: "Under the Mistletoe" Listed Among Greatest Holiday Albums

On November 19, 2021, the album "Under the Mistletoe" was listed among the Greatest of All Time Top Holiday Albums chart by Billboard.

2021: Description of singing capabilities

In 2021, Justin Bieber released "Justice". Bieber is not a powerhouse vocalist, but he is a compelling one, casually dropping in a stray yodel here, a Mariah Carey–indebted set of runs there. His voice has a palatable smoothness; he's mastered push-and-pull dynamics, and he swings effortlessly from a placid chest voice to a zephyr of a falsetto.

2024: Twitter and YouTube Dominance

As of 2024, Justin Bieber is the fourth-most-followed user on Twitter and the most-followed musician on the platform, with over 110.3 million followers. His YouTube channel is also the most viewed music channel for an individual.