Justin Bieber made his Saturday Night Live debut as a musical guest on April 10, 2010 in an episode hosted by Tina Fey. And a few days earlier, the “Sorry” singer had another high-profile debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. During his visit, the 16-year-old singer – now a married father who welcomed baby Jack Blues Bieber in August 2024 – spoke to Jimmy Fallon about how he was discovered on YouTube and explained how he taught himself to play guitar, piano and drums. Then he put his drumming skills to the test against one of the greats: The Roots drummer and bandleader Questlove.
“I always played instruments as a kid. It was just a big interest of mine,” Bieber told Fallon. “My parents are both very enthusiastic and got me into it from a young age.”
Moments later, a drum kit was rolled out for Bieber next to Questlove’s set-up on The Roots’ stage.
“Are you ready?” asked Fallon Bieber.
“I’m ready from birth,” the pop star replied.
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Accompanied by a jazzy soundtrack, Bieber and Questlove played the show together until the commercial, which was more like a drum duet than a real drumming competition. But it wasn’t the only time the two went head to head behind their drum kits.
Justin Bieber and Questlove of The Roots had a drum-off rematch in 2015
Five years later, on September 2, 2015, Bieber returned for another meeting with Fallon. The Tonight ShowWhen Fallon Purpose After the singer’s previous drumming competition with Questlove, Bieber told The Roots leader, “That was fun… I think you destroyed me.”
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Fallon reminded him that it had been five years since the drummers had competed against each other, so Bieber jumped at the chance (literally) for a rematch. As before, a drum kit was rolled onto The Roots’ stage and set up as Bieber walked over, eager to take on the Grammy and Oscar-winning musician, author and filmmaker.
The two took turns showing off their skills, but as Bieber delivered a fast-paced, extended set, Questlove stood up and surrendered – leaving the stage in defeat. But there were no hard feelings, as Questlove returned later in the show to join The Roots and accompany Bieber as he performed his hit single “What Do You Mean.”
Watch young Justin Bieber’s first drum-off above and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon weekdays at 11:35/10:35c on NBC, streaming the next day on Peacock.
