growing up

Justin Bieber Wisely Remixes Frank Ocean, Less Wisely Recruits Jaden Smith

Much of today’s Bieber analysis will be focused on his latest morning show “freestyle,†which includes a Tim Horton shout-out and a dig at everyone who suggested he might be using a ghostwriter. (“People in their basement said I didn’t even write this.†Zing, Biebz.) Since Vulture has already stated our surprise at his consistently competent rapping, we choose instead to focus on the second Bieber musical event of the day: his remix of Frank Ocean’s “Thinking About You,†featuring one Jaden Smith. Yes, the teen team behind “Never Say Never†has reunited … for an Odd Future–related collaboration. It’s not the most age-appropriate choice for Jaden (and we’re not exactly blown away by his verse, either), but it’s a savvy move for Bieber, who’s clearly trying to shed his tweenybopper rep as fast as he possibly can at this point. Frank Ocean does give him a little bit of cred. Also important: Bieber’s voice actually sounds deep, when compared with the Ocean falsetto. (Has Bieber totally lost his?) This is starting to get a little alarming, frankly. Slow down with the aging, Justin. We need time to process.

Justin Bieber Wisely Remixes Frank Ocean