Justin vs Shawn playfully ‘slug it out’ for Prince of Pop title

Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber

In its latest issue (and cover), The Observer anointed Shawn Mendes as the “Prince of Pop.”

His fellow Canadian pop star Justin Bieber, however, has laid claim to the title and challenged Shawn in a game of—hockey, of course—to decide once and for all who is the real pop royalty.

“Hmm, [you’re] gonna have to break a few more records to dethrone my title there, bud (Canadian voice),” Justin wrote in jest in the comment section of Shawn’s Instagram page, where he uploaded a photo of the said magazine cover.

“But if you want, we can play hockey. But I heard you’re a real bender (slang for someone bad at hockey) on the ice,” the “Love Yourself” singer added. “We could just drop the buckets and tilt for it.”

But because sarcasm rarely translates well online, some fans mistook Justin’s comment as an actual insult, forcing the singer to clarify that it was nothing but “a playful joke.” “There’s no competition … There [are] no sides; we’re all just here to make dope music. I’m just competitive as he is, so it was just a little playful jargon,” he added.

But whether Justin was joking or not, Shawn nonetheless seemed keen on taking on his compatriot’s challenge.

“LOL … Any time, any day,” the “Stitches” singer replied. “Just let me know!”—ALLAN POLICARPIO