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Alessia Cara, Charlotte Cardin and More Cover Songs From Justin Bieber’s 'Swag'

Artists are already showing love for the pop and R&B singer's seventh studio album.

Alessia Cara

Alessia Cara

Courtesy Photo

Justin Bieber’s new album is causing a Canadian frenzy.

With a lone promotional billboard, Bieber surprise-dropped Swag, his seventh studio album on July 11 after a four-year musical hiatus.


On the 21-track project — which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart — the Ontario-born pop and R&B star experiments with a new sound that leans on indie artists like mk.gee and Dijon, and Carter Lang, known for his work with SZA.

The album’s lead single, "Daisies," debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, while a second song, “Yukon,” arrived at No. 8 on the chart. Bieber‘s Swag boasted 15 other debuts on the chart, dated July 26.

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On TikTok, covers of Bieber's new tracks have emerged on the platform, especially from Canada where his legacy looms large.

Toronto's Alessia Cara posted a video singing “Yukon," with the caption "bangerooo." Bieber's version includes pitched-up vocals that give the song an extra catchy feel, and Cara's soulful tone perfectly suits the track.

@alessiasmusic

bangeroooo @Justin Bieber

This isn't Cara's first time covering the fellow Canadian artist. In 2015, she shared a "Love Yourself" cover on YouTube and six years later, performed a jazz version of Bieber's No. 1 hit “Stay” on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

While on her summer tour, Montreal pop artist (and Billboard Canada Woman of the Year 2024) Charlotte Cardin spent some of her rehearsal time singing the first verse and chorus of “Daisies,” posting a video where she flexed her drumming skills, which have become her “entire personality."


@charlottecardin_

fyi drums might become my entire personality

Like Cara, it's not the first time Cardin has covered a Bieber song. Almost a decade ago, she put a fun spin on his No. 1 hit "Sorry," and performed Bieber's “Love Yourself” on Parisian radio station RTL2 in 2021.

During her Miss Possessive tour soundcheck in Vancouver, Calgary pop princess Tate McRae sang "Yukon" while casually leaning on a cream couch. Referencing the two artists' Canadian roots, it was kismet for McRae to cover the song, she said, "Because we're here and I have to."

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@lifebymichael

TikTok · lifebymichael

McRae has been a noted fan of Bieber since her youth. In 2016, she danced at his Calgary concert during the Purpose World Tour during "Children."

Vancouver folk artist Kaleah Lee joined in, using her serene vocals and electric guitar plucking on her rendition of “Yukon." Aside from her original music, Lee has covered songs by artists such as Taylor Swift, Bon Iver, Mustafa and Clairo.

@kaleahvl

YUKON - Justin Bieber


Saskatoon-born singer — and M for Montreal 2024 performer — Katie Tupper shared a piano-backed cover of the first verse of "Yukon." The soul-filled elements of Tupper's rendition provide a unique take on Bieber's quintessential R&B version.

@katie.tupper

yukon - justin bieber

While Bieber hasn't acknowledged those covers just yet, Australian artist Cody Simpson posted a “Daisies” cover two days after Swag's release, which elicited a “Love you broski” comment from the singer.

@codysimpson

Daisies. Been a son of JB since the YouTube days. I started posting videos singing and playing guitar because I saw him do it first. I really love this song. Thank you for a beautiful album man.

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Drummer Frank Beard of American rock band ZZ Top at their concert in Munich, Germany 1986.
Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance/Getty Images

Drummer Frank Beard of American rock band ZZ Top at their concert in Munich, Germany 1986.

FYI

Obituaries: Tributes to ZZ Top's Frank Beard, Actor/Singer Hayden Panettiere

This week we also acknowledge the passing of Hall of Fame blues/R&B singer Latimore and legendary Australian music industry veteran Johnny Young.

Frank Lee Beard, drummer with Texan rock greats ZZ Top for 56 years, died on Aug. 17, at age 77.

A press release from longtime band publicist Bob Merlis confirmed his passing, stating that Beard was “in hospice care when he passed away at his ranch in Richmond, TX with family members at his side.”

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