Justin Bieber Forgot Lyrics To "Stay" During Performance, Plays It Off

The pop star gave an impromptu performance with The Kid LAROI at the launch of OBB Studios.

BYGabriel Bras Nevares
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Even with artists performing songs dozens of times, we can't blame them for slipping up here and there. Justin Bieber forgot the words to his The Kid LAROI collab, "Stay," during an impromptu performance on Saturday (January 14). Moreover, they celebrated the opening of Michael D. Ratner's OBB Studios in Los Angeles.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 14: Michael D. Ratner, Founder, President and CEO of OBB Media, The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber attend OBB Media’s Grand Opening of OBB Studios on January 14, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for OBB Media)

While that track came out in July of 2021, both artists are planning big for the future. LAROI announced his debut album The First Time and is dropping its first single this week. Meanwhile, sources reported that Bieber is closing a deal to sell his catalog for $200 million. However, he's been mostly away from big stages ever since postponing his Justice World Tour last September.

Maybe it's that lack of practice that prompted the Canadian superstar to forget the words. Furthermore, both artists performed a stripped-back version of their still-enduring hit during the celebrations. While some might be frustrated by their favorite artists forgetting lyrics, Bieber played it off charmingly.

“It’s been difficult for me to trust / And I’m afraid that I’ma f**k it up,” Bieber sang. “Ain’t no way that I can leave you stranded / ‘Cause I don’t remember the words and that’s crazy.” When the crowd realized what was happening, they didn't react with disappointment. Instead, many cheered and applauded after seeing an honest mistake. After all, millions have seen a song performed live, but how many have seen it messed up like that?

Regardless, after the commotion, the "Sorry" singer continued his performance and closed out strong. “You know that I know that I can’t live without you," he sang. "So, baby, stay.”

Meanwhile, "Stay" appeared in the news earlier in the month for continuing to break records. Moreover, it cemented its staying power after becoming nine-times platinum per the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Given its popularity, it's no surprise it landed third on Spotify's most streamed songs of 2022 and sixth across all streaming platforms. Not bad for a year-and-a-half old song. The Kid LAROI continues to build his success.

For those unfamiliar with OBB and Ratner, he directed Bieber's recent YouTube documentaries: Seasons, Next Chapter, and Our World. Also, OBB co-produced the films, the third of which is nominated for Best Music Film at the 2023 Grammys. Moreover, they are also behind Hailey Bieber's YouTube series, Who's In My Bathroom?

What do you think of Justin Bieber forgetting the lyrics to "Stay" with The Kid LAROI? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, check back in with HNHH for more wholesome performance moments.

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About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a music and pop culture news writer for HotNewHipHop. He started in 2022 as a weekend writer and, since joining the team full-time, has developed a strong knowledge in hip-hop news and releases. Whether it’s regular coverage or occasional interviews and album reviews, he continues to search for the most relevant news for his audience and find the best new releases in the genre. What excites him the most is finding pop culture stories of interest, as well as a deeper passion for the art form of hip-hop and its contemporary output. Specifically, Gabriel enjoys the fringes of rap music: the experimental, boundary-pushing, and raw alternatives to the mainstream sound. As a proud native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, he also stays up-to-date with the archipelago’s local scene and its biggest musical exponents in reggaetón, salsa, indie, and beyond. Before working at HotNewHipHop, Gabriel produced multiple short documentaries, artist interviews, venue spotlights, and audio podcasts on a variety of genres and musical figures. Hardcore punk and Go-go music defined much of his coverage during his time at the George Washington University in D.C. His favorite hip-hop artists working today are Tyler, The Creator, Boldy James, JPEGMAFIA, and Earl Sweatshirt.