"Purpose" is the fourth studio album by Canadian singer Justin Bieber, released on November 13, 2015, through Def Jam Recordings and School Boy Records. It followed his third studio album Believe (2012) and features guest appearances from Big Sean, Travis Scott, Halsey, Skrillex, Diplo, and Ariana Grande, with a deluxe version that includes an additional guest appearance from Nas. The album's production was handled by Bieber himself, Skrillex and Diplo from Jack Ü, BloodPop, Benny Blanco, the Audibles, Soundz, Mike Dean, Ian Kirkpatrick, and Andre Harris, among others.
In early 2015, Bieber collaborated with Skrillex and Diplo on the US top-ten single "Where Are Ü Now" from their debut studio album Jack Ü. The song also appears on Purpose. This collaboration helped define the album's sonic direction, blending electronic dance music (EDM) with dance-pop influences, and incorporating tropical house elements and live instruments like acoustic guitars. Bieber worked closely with Skrillex on several tracks, and with the help of his frequent musical collaborator, Poo Bear, the album took shape with a fresh, experimental sound.
Purpose debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 649,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, marking Bieber's largest first-week sales of his career and his sixth number-one album in the United States. The album also reached number one in eleven other countries. It was supported by four singles: "What Do You Mean?", "Sorry", "Love Yourself", and "Company". The first three singles reached number one on the Canadian Hot 100, US Billboard Hot 100, and UK Singles Chart. Purpose went on to become one of the best-selling albums of both 2015 and 2016. The album is a mix of pop, R&B, soul, and EDM influences, and it marked a musical evolution for Bieber after his 2013 compilation album Journals, which had moved him into a more R&B-oriented sound.
At the 2017 Grammy Awards, Purpose was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album, while "Love Yourself" received nominations for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. The album won the American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album. To promote the album, Bieber appeared in several televised interviews and performances and released "dance videos" for each of the album's tracks as part of a project called Purpose: The Movement. He also embarked on his Purpose World Tour in 2016, which marked his first concert tour to perform in major stadiums worldwide. Purpose was certified 6× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Bieber began working on Purpose while promoting his previous album, Believe (2012), during the Believe Tour in 2012 and 2013. He confirmed in January 2013 that he was writing new material for his next album. After announcing plans for a new album in 2013, Bieber launched the "Music Mondays" project in October 2013, releasing one new song every Monday for ten weeks. These songs, along with new tracks, were later compiled into the limited-edition collection Journals in December 2013. By January 2014, producer Douglas Romanow revealed that Bieber was already working on new music, and in the following months, he began collaborating with Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, who had contributed to Journals. In early 2014, Bieber teased new songs and collaborations on social media, including with artists such as Ariana Grande, T-Pain, and Cody Simpson. While he planned an acoustic collaboration album with Simpson, it was eventually canceled in favor of a single called "Home to Mama" (2014).
In late 2014, it was reported that Skrillex and Diplo were working with Bieber on his new album, which would eventually become Purpose. Bieber promised fans that 2015 would mark a "great new chapter" for him, and in January of that year, his manager Scooter Braun posted an Instagram photo of Bieber working with record producer Rick Rubin. In March, Bieber confirmed that he had been collaborating with Kanye West, and during an interview, he explained that he had to re-record much of the album because the earlier material "didn't match up to where I am now" and did not reflect the more positive mindset he had at the time.
### Writing and Recording
Skrillex played a pivotal role in shaping the album's direction, producing six of its songs. Bieber praised Skrillex's innovative approach, stating that Skrillex's futuristic sounds brought a fresh energy to the album. Skrillex also expressed his excitement about working with Bieber, explaining that it gave him the opportunity to experiment with new sounds and produce something unique. Bieber described working with Kanye West as challenging and rewarding, noting that West pushed him to go deeper into his own creative process.
Throughout 2014, Bieber continued to tease new music on social media, posting snippets and updates on potential collaborators. In August 2015, it was reported that Bieber was working with Mason "MdL" Levy and Justin Tranter of Semi Precious Weapons. In October 2015, Bieber teased a possible collaboration with American singer Halsey, which was later confirmed. Additionally, British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran wrote a song for the album, adding to the list of impressive collaborators. These contributions, combined with his work with Skrillex, Diplo, and other producers, helped shape the final sound of Purpose, marking a significant shift in Bieber's musical evolution and positioning the album as a fresh chapter in his career.
