On May 11th, 2009, the world was a different place. The global economy was reeling from the 2008 financial crisis, Barack Obama had just begun his first term as U.S. President and a 15-year-old Canadian teenager named Justin Bieber was about to make a small but significant mark on the internet. At exactly 8:27 PM, Bieber sent out his very first tweet, a simple message promoting his debut single, “One Time.” Little did anyone know, this moment would mark the beginning of a meteoric rise for one of the biggest pop stars of the 21st century.
The tweet was short and sweet: a link to his new single and a call to action for fans to check it out. At the time, Twitter was still a relatively new platform, having launched just three years earlier in 2006. It was a place where celebrities, brands, and everyday people were starting to connect in real-time, and Bieber’s entry into this digital space was perfectly timed. His YouTube covers had already gained traction, catching the eye of talent manager Scooter Braun and, eventually, Usher, who signed him to a record deal. But this tweet was a pivotal step in building his direct connection with fans.
“One Time,” the song he was promoting, was a catchy, upbeat pop track about young love, perfectly tailored to his growing fanbase of teens and tweens. Released as the lead single from his debut EP, My World, it became a chart-topping hit, peaking at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning platinum certifications in multiple countries. The tweet wasn’t just a promotion—it was a spark that helped ignite what would become “Bieber Fever.”
Looking back, Justin Bieber’s first tweet wasn’t just about promoting a song—it was a cultural milestone. It showed how a young artist could harness the power of social media to build a global brand. That night, he wasn’t yet the superstar who would sell out arenas or rack up billions of YouTube views. He was a teenager with a dream, a catchy single and a new Twitter account. But that small action at 8:27 PM set the stage for everything that followed.
Today, Bieber’s Twitter presence (now on X) is massive, with over 100 million followers. His career has evolved through ups and downs, from chart-topping albums like Purpose to personal struggles and comebacks. But on May 11th, 2009, it all began with a single tweet, a song called “One Time,” and a kid who believed in his music.
So, let’s raise a glass to that moment—a reminder that even the smallest steps can lead to something extraordinary.
The Social Pie Network! 