2020 american music awards show 2
2020 american music awards show 2
Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur/AMA2020/Getty Images for dcp

Martin Luther King's Family Approves of Justin Bieber Using His Voice on New Album

Justin Bieber dropped his sixth studio album Friday with a surprising intro.

On Friday, Justin Bieber returned to music, dropping his sixth studio album, Justice. Many fans were surprised to hear the voice of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the album's intro. Bieber expounded on the decision on Twitter.

"In honor of Justice I'm supporting organizations that embody what justice looks like in action," he wrote. He then tagged nine different social justice organizations: The Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Alexandria House, Compton Pledge, Baby2Baby, the Equal Justice Initiative, LIFT Communities, Self Help Graphics and Art, The King Center, and the Poor People's Campaign.

The ARC and Equal Justice Initiative work to end mass incarceration. The Alexandria House provides transitional housing, education, and enrichment for unhoused residents of Los Angeles. Baby2Baby provides diapers, clothing, and other supplies for at-risk children.

Martin Luther King's daughter Bernice King publicly approved of Bieber's efforts.

"Each of us," she wrote, "including artists and entertainers, can do something. Thank you @justinbieber, for your support, in honor of #Justice, of The King Center's work and of our #BeLove campaign, which is a part of our global movement for justice."

Bieber recently spoke with Vogue about using King for the album.

“What I wanted to do with this was amplify Martin Luther King Jr.’s voice to this generation. Being Canadian, it wasn’t so much a part of my culture…this speech was actually during the time when [he had] a feeling that he was going to die for the cause, and what he was standing up against was ultimately racism and division. I think his message was that a lot of people can be afraid to stand up for what is right, but if you’re not standing up for justice, for what is right, what are you doing with your life? I’m sorry to get so deep, but these are the times we’re living in. That’s why I wanted to make this album because I think it’s very timely and very necessary.”

Justin Bieber's Justice album is currently available on all digital streaming platforms.

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