About Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake reached teen idol status fronting Nsync throughout the 1990s. By 2002, he was able to shed his boyband image enough to appeal to a larger audience before the release of his debut solo album, Justified, which made him a world-wide success.

Timberlake grew up in a small town just north of Memphis and started his career in 1993, joining The Mickey Mouse Club. He met his future girlfriend, Britney Spears, along with Christina Aguilera and future bandmate JC Chasez. When the show ended in 1995, Justin asked JC to be part of Nsync, which he was forming with a friend.

After 2002s Celebrity Tour, NSync decided to take time off and Timberlake began work on his first solo album. Timberlake split from Spears around this time, and the breakup influenced Timberlake's writing for his upcoming album, particularly the hit single "Cry Me A River".

Timberlake appeared 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, where he performed his first solo single "Like I Love You". After successfully releasing the single, Timberlake released Justified, in November 2002. Although it sold a lot less than previous NSync records, the record was a commercial success that finally gained Timberlake some critical acclaim, thanks the records R&B and hip-hop influence and producers The Neptunes and Timbaland. Timberlake released hits throughout 2002 and 2003, including the top ten singles "Cry Me A River" and "Rock Your Body" and toured with Christina Aguilera in the summer of 2003.

Timberlake came back from his four-year break to record his second solo album, which is expected to be out in September and produced by Timbaland, will.i.am, Rick Rubin. His new single, "SexyBack", began receiving radio and Internet play this July.