The Evolution of Justin Timberlake
Don't miss Justin Timberlake tonight on 106 & Park!
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The Evolution of Justin Timberlake - We’re not sure if Justin Timberlake’s bringing sexy back this time around—we’re just hoping for some great music. Justin returned to music after a six-year break at midnight [Jan 13] with the Jay-Z assisted single, "Suit and Tie." and album. We’re definitely happy for JT's return to music, so it's actually the perfect moment to look back at some of Justin’s past amazing achievements. Click on to follow the evolution of Justin Timberlake, from Disney to NSYNC to “Sexy Back” and beyond. —Alex Gale(Photo: Instagram via Justintimberlake)
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Baby Steps - Justin Timberlake’s journey begins in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was born on Jan. 31, 1981.
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Golden Child - Justin Timberlake showed talent early on, appearing on the American Idol predecessor Star Search at the age of 11. A year later, he joined the cast of The New Mickey Mouse Club, which featured several other future stars, including his future girlfriend Britney Spears as well as Christina Aguilera, actor Ryan Gosling and J.C. Chasez, who'd later join Justin in NSYNC. (Photo: Disney Channel)
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The NSYNC Era - After the cancellation of The New Mickey Mouse Club in 1994, Justin Timberlake and J. C. Chasez became the lead voices of *NYSNC. Two years later, the group released their self-titled debut, which featured the hits "Tearin' Up My Heart," "I Want You Back," and "(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You” and helped set off the late-1990s boy-band craze.(Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
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Record-Breaking Records - NSYNC and Justin Timberlake had bigger wins in store though. Their sophomore album, 2000’s No Strings Attached, sold an invredible 2.4 million copies in its first week, setting a record that will probably never be broken. The only album that’s ever come at all anywhere close? Their third album, 2001’s Celebrity, which sold 1,880,000 albums in its first week. (Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/ImageDirect)
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Solo Dolo - Justin Timberlake’s stardom, however, was quickly eclipsing that of NSYNC, and he soon split off from the group. He officially launched his solo career with a sleek performance of his Neptunes-produced debut single “Like I Love You” at the VMAs in 2002.(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)
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Justified - Led by the hits "Like I Love You," "Cry Me a River," Senorita," and "Rock Your Body," Justin Timberlake’s debut album, 2002’s Justified, sold 3 million copies. But the album, produced mainly by the Neptunes, also marked the introduction of a new, more soulful, more mature Justin, one who leaned more toward R&B and soul more than the saccharine pop stylings of *NSYNC.(Photo: Jive Records)
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Scandal - Justin Timberlake’s previously clean-cut image took a hit at the 2004 Super Bowl Half Time Show, where he performed with Janet Jackson and helped cause her infamous “wardrobe malfunction.(Photo: Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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FutureSex/LoveSounds - Justin Timberlake rebounded after the Super Bowl with his sophomore album, 2006’s FutureSex/LoveSounds. He outdid his debut both commercially, selling 4 million copies in the US alone, and musically, linking up with Timbaland to create a unique, futuristic blend of R&B, electronica, techno and pop. (Photo: Jive Records)
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"My Love" - The highlight of FutureSex/LoveSounds was arguably “My Love,” which topped charts thanks to a fluid falsetto melody, Timbaland’s stuttering synthesizers, and T.I.'s breakthrough guest verse.(Photo: Jive Records)
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