Justified is the debut solostudio album by American singer-songwriterJustin Timberlake. It was released on November 5, 2002, byJive Records. The album was written and recorded in a six-week period as Timberlake's boy bandNSYNC was on hiatus. For his solo album, he began to adopt a more mature image as anR&B artist opposed to the previouspop music recorded by the group. The majority of the album was produced by the Neptunes (credited as "Williams andHugo") andTimbaland, and features guest appearances byJanet Jackson,Clipse, andBubba Sparxxx. It primarily is an R&B album that also contains influences ofdance-pop,funk, andsoul music.
Justified received generally positive reviews from critics, who complimented the mature progression of Timberlake's material, although some criticized its lyrical content. The album earned Timberlake fourGrammy Award nominations, includingAlbum of the Year, and won the award forBest Pop Vocal Album.Justified topped the album charts in Ireland, Scotland, and the United Kingdom while reaching the top ten in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and the United States. As of 2012, it has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, making it one of thebest-selling albums of the 21st century.[1]
Following the conclusion of theirCelebrity Tour in April 2002,boy bandNSYNC went on a hiatus, during which co-lead singerJustin Timberlake began work on what would be his debut solo album.[2] With the album, he wanted to portray a more mature image as anR&B performer, rather than a boy band pop artist.[2] He revealed minimal information regarding the producers and artists involved withJustified during its early recording stage,[3] with his management and record label also reluctant to share any information.[3][4] However,MTV News reported that production duoThe Neptunes were working on multiple tracks, while rapperP. Diddy and singerMario Winans contributed to one track.[3] Other known producers involved includedMike City,Raphael Saadiq andRodney Jerkins, though between June and July, none of the aforementioned producers had attended any studio sessions.[3] Explaining his involvement with the project, Jerkins said at the 2002BET Awards that he "just got a call about working on the project" and that whenever Timberlake wanted his assistance, it would "be done".[3] The majority of the tracks the Neptunes produced forJustified were originally intended forMichael Jackson.[5] Since Jackson turned down the tracks, the songs were modified for Timberlake's album.[6][7]
Brian McKnight's manager stated that his client had already recorded tracks with the singer, while rapperNelly explained to the reporters that both him and Timberlake had discussed a collaboration effort.[3] Early in 2002,Angie Stone revealed that Timberlake "loves theMahogany Soul album" with him further saying to her "your CD's in my car right now, you have to work on my solo project".[3] These assertions were later partially denied by aJive Records spokesperson who announced that the material produced from the collaboration would not appear on the finalized record.[8]
We picked him up right after he checked into his hotel. We drove around in the car listening to old Earth, Wind & Fire albums, and he was totally with it. The background of those songs is the feeling we wanted to incorporate into the music. He was like, 'Nobody's ever heard anything like that before ... a white boy singing this kind of music.' He didn't care what people would say.
Justified was written and recorded in a six-week period. According to Timberlake, the "creative spurt" was reminiscent of "that period of time back in the 1960s and '70s when musicians got together and just jammed and worked out of inspiration. There was no heavy calculation or belaboring songs and mixes. Everything flowed pretty easily and naturally."[10] Recording sessions took place at various studios in the United States, including theWestlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, Manhattan Center Studios in New York City and Master Sound Recording Studios andWindmark Recording inVirginia Beach.[11]
The Neptunes told MTV News that the duo and Timberlake drove in a car listening toEarth, Wind & Fire albums for inspiration, with the background of the band's music being what the production duo wanted to implement intoJustified's musical content.[9] The production duo commented that despite not being content with sampling music, for inspiration, they also listened to bothOff the Wall (1979) andThriller (1982), albums by Jackson.[9] Their intentions were to create music that was similar to Jackson's work without "recycling them".[9] One of the two members of The Neptunes, Chad Hugo, commented that they just wanted to re-create "that sense of those timeless, classic songs, without any of the 'bling, bling, hit me on my two-way' style of the new R&B. It has elements of the old and the new."[9] The producer further went on to say that people wanted Timberlake to be conformed to being part of boy band NSYNC, with the former insisting that the singer is an immaculate vocalist.[9] Hugo acknowledged Timberlake's break-up with singerBritney Spears, saying that some of the album's music could be directed towards it.[9]
The opening track onJustified, "Señorita" is aSpanish oriented song that features R&B influences;[14][15] in it Timberlake sings about a girl with brown eyes.[16] "Like I Love You" is afunk influenced song consisted of live drums, tiny guitar strum accompanied with the singer's breathytenor. According to Ben Ratliff ofRolling Stone, "it's minimalism influenced by Michael Jackson".[17] The third track on the album, "(Oh No) What You Got" was described by Sal Cinquemani ofSlant Magazine as a bit racy for the audience who expected a more boy-band-oriented record.[12] Regarding the fourth song, Russell Bailie ofThe New Zealand Herald wrote that although the album "manages to skirt teen-pop sugariness for the most part, though it does offer quality mush on numbers such as 'Take It From Here'."[18] "Cry Me a River" is a funk[19] and R&B song[20] with aninstrumentation that featuresbeatboxing,[12] synthesizers, Arabian-inspiredriffs andGregorian chants.[13] Lyrically, the song is about a brokenhearted man who moves on from his past.[21]
"Rock Your Body", incorporates tinny, "keyboard-set-to-emulate-clavichord"synthesizers of The Neptunes' late 90s productions, overlaid with "keys and a propulsive drum vamp".[22]
The sixth track, "Rock Your Body", incorporates tinny, "keyboard-set-to-emulate-clavichord"synthesizers of The Neptunes' late 90s productions, overlaid with "keys and a propulsive drum vamp".[22] The seventh track of the album is "Nothin' Else"; which according to David Merryweather ofDrowned in Sound is a "slinky" and "smooth" song that is similar to the works of American musicianStevie Wonder.[23] Influenced by Jackson's musical style[23] andVan McCoy's 1975 single "The Hustle", "Last Night" is played with axylophone.[12] "Still On My Brain", the ninth track on the album, is a slow jam,[12] similar to the songs performed by Timberlake's former band 'NSYNC.[23] "(And She Said) Take Me Now" which features singerJanet Jackson, is adisco, '80s funk anddub song[13] that contains racy lyrics.[12] Similar to the previous song, "Right For Me", the eleventh track of the album has racy lyrics and features rapperBubba Sparxxx; on it Timberlake "cockily" sings the line, "I could think of a couple positions for you".[12] "Let's Take a Ride" is the twelfth song on the album, on which, according toUncut magazine, Timberlake "offers to deliver you from your humdrum existence".[24] The record concludes with "Never Again", aBrian McKnight produced ballad, on which Timberlake becomes "downright maudlin and snippy".[25]
"Rock Your Body" was released as the album's third single, and was released on May 6, 2003, as a CD single in the US.[42] It was written by Timberlake and The Neptunes, and produced by the latter. The song topped the charts in Australia for one week,[38] became Timberlake's third single to reach number two in the UK,[29] and reached the top five in Denmark,[30] Ireland,[32]New Zealand and the US.[28][43] "Rock Your Body" was certified platinum in Australia by the ARIA.[39] It received a gold certification in the US by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of 500,000 units.[44]
"Señorita" isJustified's fourth single, released through rhythmic radio on July 8, 2003.[45] It was written by Timberlake and The Neptunes, while being produced by the latter. It reached number 27 on the Hot 100,[28] and achieved its highest peak in Australia and New Zealand, where it reached number six and four, respectively.[38][43]
Timberlake performed "Like I Love You" at the2002 MTV Video Music Awards prior to the album's release. The day ofJustified's release, Timberlake appeared onTRL and performed "Like I Love You" and "Cry Me a River" live inTimes Square.[46] TV specials included a sit-down interview withBarbara Walters on20/20,[47] an episode of MTV Launch that followed the making ofJustified,[48] and the TV concert special,Justin Timberlake: Down Home in Memphis.[49] Timberlake performed "Cry Me a River" at the 13th annualBillboard Music Awards, held on December 9, 2002, at theMGM Grand Garden Arena inLas Vegas. He was accompanied by a string section and a 20-member choir.[50] He performed "Cry Me a River" on a promotional concert held atHouse of Blues inWest Hollywood, California on June 17, 2003.[51] On February 1, 2004, the singer performed "Rock Your Body" at theSuper Bowl XXXVIII halftime show with singer Janet Jackson.[52] At the moment Timberlake sang the lyric "Bet I'll have you naked by the end of this song," he ripped off part of Jackson's costume, momentarily exposing her rightbreast on live television.[52] Timberlake distanced himself from thecontroversy while Jackson faced much criticism.[53] He later commented that "America's harsher on women".[54] He performed "Señorita" live on the sketch comedy showSaturday Night Live in October 2003, where he served as host and musical guest,[55] and at the2004 Grammy Awards.[56] Magazine covers includedRolling Stone, which dubbed him the "New King of Pop",[57]Entertainment Weekly,[58]Vibe magazine,[59]The Advocate,[60] andDetails.[61]
Timberlake did a joint tour in North America withChristina Aguilera entitledthe Justified & Stripped Tour, to support bothJustified and Aguilera's 2002 album,Stripped.[62] Timberlake's and Aguilera's managers suggested to both singers to go on a conjoint tour. Timberlake agreed with the suggestion, saying that "It would be fun to be on tour with somebody who's that talented".[63] Timberlake's further reasoning for touring with Aguilera was due to both singers wanting to "break the mold of what people look at as teen pop and move into a different direction".[64] For the tour, Timberlake wanted to transform arenas into clubs, stating that he wants people "to feel like they're a part of the show and it's a party", remarking that anybody caught sitting down would get booted.[63] For the tour, Timberlake performed with eight dancers, a 14-piece band which included fourbackup singers, three horn players and aDJ.[64] The tour commenced on June 4, 2003, inPhoenix, Arizona and concluded on September 2, 2003, inSaint Paul, Minnesota. The tour grossed approximately $45 million.[65]
In September 2003,McDonald's announced Timberlake as a new spokesmen for their "I'm Lovin' It" campaign. Timberlake recorded "I'm Lovin' It", to be featured in adverts for the franchise, later expanded and released as a single in December 2003. McDonald's later announced they will sponsor a tour for Timberlake, following his successful North American tour with Christina Aguilera, entitledthe Justified World Tour.[66] Timberlake stated "I love what McDonald's is doing with the new 'i'm lovin' it' campaign and it's cool to be part of it [...] We share the same crowd -- people who like to have fun -- and that's what this new partnership and my European concert tour is all about." The tour began with Timberlake playing intimate gigs at clubs and theatres in the United States and Australia before expanding to arenas in Europe.[67] The tour commenced on May 7, 2003, inSheffield, England and concluded on June 19, 2004, inBrisbane, Australia.Jive Records released two DVD specials for Justified,Justified: The Videos[68] andJustin Timberlake: Live from London.
Justified received generally positive reviews from critics.[77][78] AtMetacritic, which assigns anormalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album has received an average score of 68, based on 14 reviews.[69] Ben Ratliff ofRolling Stone was receptive to The Neptunes's production, and highlighted both "Like I Love You" and "Cry Me a River" as standout tracks. Ratliff also commented that Justin Timberlake had successfully "vaulted over the canyon" to adulthood.[17]Slant Magazine critic Sal Cinquemani believed that Timberlake meshed with The Neptunes "so well he virtually relinquishes his personality to the super-duo—he could very well be the third member ofN.E.R.D." Cinquemani noted the similarities betweenJustified's tracks to the work of musician Michael Jackson, saying that the album should have been Jackson's tenth and final studio album,Invincible (2001).[12]BBC Music's Denise Boyd praised "Like I Love You", while also commending "Cry Me a River" for its lyrical content and "Rock Your Body", which he notes contains Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder influences.[21] InEntertainment Weekly,David Browne wrote how the album should have been the outcome of Jackson's tenth studio album, as "the ultramodern R&B-pop hybrid". Browne describedJustified as "cohesive", favoring the album over NSYNC's previous two efforts:Celebrity (2001) andNo Strings Attached (2000).[72]
Robert Christgau wrote of Timberlake inThe Village Voice, "though his talent and character were there for all to see, who knew he'd turn out this heady or beatwise?"[76] The newspaper's Christopher O'Connor commended The Neptunes' production, while praising "Like I Love You" and the Janet Jackson collaboration "(And She Said) Take Me Now", saying how the songs show that Timberlake "has the balls to pursue the A-plus list."[79] O'Connor showed ambivalence towards "Right for Me" and "Cry Me a River", noting the former as "awkward" and the latter as "a lousyAaliyah impression".[79] Tyler Martin fromStylus Magazine deemed "Señorita" and "Like I Love You" as the record's highlights, while writing that the album does not maintain Timberlake's masculine persona, but still "paints a picture of a complicated young man, growing into adulthood".[80]
NME's Alex Needham was less enthusiastic, writing that Timberlake's lyrics are "soppy platitudes that may or may not be about Britney".[13] Caroline Sullivan ofThe Guardian believed the only noticeable tracks are "Cry Me a River" and "Rock Your Body", noting the latter as "predictable", while criticising the album's lyrics as being "suggestive mumbling".[73] Some critics accused Timberlake of borrowing inspiration too heavily from Michael Jackson's work.[81]AllMusic'sStephen Thomas Erlewine commented that Timberlake "shamelessly borrows from Jacko, from theThriller-era", going on to criticize his vocals as to lack substance, with hisfalsetto lacking character, though calling him a "technically skilled vocalist".[70]
Justified was ranked second onThe Face's "Recordings of the Year",[82] and 46 onVillage Voice's "Pazz + Jop 2003".[83]Justified was listed at number 37 onThe A.V. Club's Best music of the decade list.[84] The album was also included in the book1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[85] It was also included onThe Guardian's list of "1000 albums to hear before you die", calling the artist "the quintessential modern crossover act".[86] In 2009MTV Base included the album among the 100 "Greatest Albums Ever", which ranked 15 after the public poll.[87] In 2014, writers fromPaste considered it the 7th best solo debut, and in 2017 fromCleveland.com, the best boy band solo debut.[88][89]Justified ranked 5 onNME's greatest debut albums turning 15 in 2017, with the author saying "perhaps a few more listens would have changed NME's mind at the time."[90] In 2019,The Guardian ranked it number 87 in their list of "The 100 best albums of the 21st century", saying: "Timberlake's Neptunes/Timbaland-helmed debut was slick, sexy and most importantly, convincing."[91]
At the 2003 BET Awards, he received two nominations for Best R&B Male Artist and Best New Artist.[98] Among others, it was nominated Best Album at theMOBO Award,[99] International Album of the Year at theNRJ Music Awards,[100] and Foreign Album of the Year at theDanish Music Awards.[101]
For a 2018Billboard article, writers Taylor Weatherby and Nina Braca said the album "may possibly be the most iconic debut album from a former band member in pop music history", describing it as "[a] bona-fide success that foreshadowed Timberlake's superstardom to come" and "at the same time, a declaration of independence from his poppier beginnings."[102] From the same magazine, Dan Weiss deemedJustified as Timberlake's "classic album".[103] Writers fromConsequence of Sound deemed it "the standard for former teen pop stars' bids to be taken seriously" when comparing it to other debut solo albums released later,[104] andHerald Sun considered it a "boy band to men blueprint".[105] British singer-songwriterEd Sheeran cited the album as an inspiration for his 2014 single "Sing",[106] andShawn Mendes for his 2018 song "Lost in Japan".[107]One Direction'sLiam Payne, talking about his debut solo albumLP1, stated he was focusing on making a record likeJustified.[108]
Justified debuted at number two on theBillboard 200, selling 439,000 copies in its opening week.[109] The album was expected to top the chart, replacing the8 Mile soundtrack (2002).[110] Instead the soundtrack sold 507,000 copies, due to being propelled by Eminem's "Lose Yourself".[109] The following week,Justified sold 188,770 copies and fell two positions to number four.[111] In its third week, the album sold 110,000 copies and remained within the top ten on the chart.[112] The album appeared on theBillboard 200 chart for seventy-two weeks, and eventually went on to sell 3.5 million copies in the US.[113] It has been certified three times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for shipments of three million copies.[44] As of 2018, the album has accumuladed 4.6 millionalbum-equivalent units in the US, combining sales and equivalent streams.[114]Justified debuted and peaked at number two on the USTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[115] The album charted on theBillboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 2003 year-end charts, reaching number eleven and twenty-six, respectively.[116][117]
Internationally,Justified received a similar response. In theUnited Kingdom,Justified debuted at number six on the week of November 16, 2002, and eventually peaked at number one, remaining atop for seven non-consecutive weeks.[118][119] The album has appeared on the chart for eighty-four weeks; it has been certified seven times platinum by theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments of 2.1 million copies.[119] As of March 2015,Justified is the 41st best-selling album of the millennium in the United Kingdom.[120] InCanada, the album peaked at number three and has been certified two times platinum byMusic Canada.[121]Justified debuted and peaked at number four inDenmark and theNetherlands, remaining on the charts for forty and seventy-two weeks, respectively.[122] The album peaked at number five in New Zealand for one week, appearing on the chart for thirty-six weeks, and receiving a two times platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) for shipping 15,000 units.[122]Justified peaked in the top ten inBelgium, Australia andNorway.[122] The album charted within the top thirty and forty in several other countries.[122] As of June 2012, the album has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.[1]
In 2003,Justified was ranked as the 11th most popular album of the year on theBillboard 200.[123] According toBillboard, as of 2022,Justified is one of the 15 best-performing 21st-century albums without any of its singles being number-one hits on theBillboard Hot 100.[124]
Recorded by Andrew Coleman(tracks 1, 2, 4, 6–8, 12), Steve Penny(3),Jimmy Douglass(5, 10, 11), Dave "Natural Love" Russell and Dabling Harward(9), Chris Wood(13)
Mixed bySerban Ghenea(tracks 1, 2, 4, 6–8, 12), Jimmy Douglass and Timbaland(3, 5, 10, 11), Dave "Natural Love" Russell(9), Dave "Hard Drive" Pensado(13)
Assistant engineers: Daniel Betancourt and Tim Roberts(tracks 1, 2, 4, 6–8, 12); "Steamy"(3, 5, 10, 11); Carlos "Storm" Martinez(5, 10, 11); Mary Ann Souza, Joe Brown, and Ethan Willoughby(13)
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
^Kim, Jae-Ha (July 24, 2003). "No more Mickey Mouse games Justin Timberlake sheds a band and Christina Aguilera sheds inhibitions on joint tour".Chicago Sun-Times. Tim Knight.
^Popkin, Helen A.S. (February 6, 2007)."Justin Timberlake in a box".Today. Archived fromthe original on December 8, 2022. RetrievedNovember 5, 2024.When JT's first solo LP, "Justified" dropped in 2002, the onslaught of positive reviews was astonishing
^Dimery, Robert; Lydon, Michael (March 23, 2010).1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. Universe.ISBN978-0-7893-2074-2.
^Porto, Bruno (December 30, 2003)."Justin no topo".O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese).Globo.com. p. 12.Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. RetrievedJune 21, 2019.(...) "Justified", has already sold six million units worldwide (with 25 thousand in Brazil).
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