Justified is the debut solo studio album by American singer Justin Timberlake. It was released on November 5, 2002 by Jive Records. The album was written and recorded in a six-week period, during the hiatus of Timberlake's band NSYNC. For the album, Timberlake began to adopt a more mature image as an R&B artist opposed to the previous pop music recorded by the group. The majority of the album was produced by The Neptunes (credited as "Williams and Hugo") and Timbaland, and features guest appearances by Janet Jackson, Clipse, and Bubba Sparxxx. Primarily an R&B album, Justified also contains influences of dance-pop, funk, and soul 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 four Grammy Award nominations, including Album of the Year, and won the award for Best Pop Vocal Album. Justified debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and sold 439,000 copies in its first week. It was certified three-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), having sold over 3.9 million copies in the US. As of 2012, the album has sold over ten million copies worldwide.
Four singles were released from Justified. The lead single "Like I Love You" peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100, while the follow-up singles "Cry Me a River" and "Rock Your Body" peaked within the top five on the chart. "Like I Love You", "Cry Me a River", and "Rock Your Body" peaked at number two in the United Kingdom and in the top ten in Australia (with "Rock Your Body" topping the Australian chart), Ireland, Netherlands, and Belgium. To promote the album, Timberlake performed on several television shows and award ceremonies, including the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, where he made his solo debut appearance. Furthermore, Timberlake embarked on two concert tours: The Justified World Tour and the Justified and Stripped Tour; on the latter, he was accompanied by Christina Aguilera.
[Intro: Justin Timberlake]
Just something about you...
Way I'm lookin' at you whatever
You keep lookin' at me...
You gettin' scared now, right?
Don't feel me baby, it's just Justin
It feel good right?...
Listen
[Verse: Justin Timberlake]
I kind of noticed, from one night
From the club, your front face
It's kind of weird to me
Since you're so fine
If it's up to me your face will change
If you smiling that should set the tone - just be limber
If you let go the music should groove your bones - just remember
Sing this song with me
[Chorus]
Ain't nobody love you like I love you
You're a good girl and that's what makes me trust ya (hey!)
Late at night I talk to you
You will know the difference when I touch you
[Verse: Justin Timberlake]
People are so phony
Nosy cause they're lonely
Aren't you sick of the same thing?
They say so and so was dating
Love you or they're hatin'
When it doesn't matter anyway
Cause we're here tonight
If you smiling, that should set the tone - just be limber baby
If you let go, the music should groove your bones - baby just remember
Sing this song with me
[Chorus]
[Justin Timberlake]
Yeah, you know I can make ya happy
I could change your life
If you give me that chance
To be your man
I won't let you down baby
If you give me that chance
To be your man
Here baby, put on my jacket
And then ...
[Bridge]
Maybe we'll fly tonight (I just wanna love you baby)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Maybe we'll fly tonight (I just wanna love you baby)
Girl ...
[Verse: Pusha-T]
Ma, what chu wanna do?
I'm in front of you
Grab a friend see, I can have fun with two
Or me and you put on a stage show
In the mall kids, "that's how the chain glow"
Point to her they say, "wow, it's the same glow"
Point to me I say, "yeah, it's the same dough"
We the same type, you my air of life
You have me sleepin' in the same bed every night
[Verse: Malice]
Go ride wit me you deservin' the best
Take a few shots let it burn in your chest
We could ride down pumpin' N.E.R.D. in the deck
Funny how a few words turn into sex
Play number 3, joint called "Brain" (I just love your... Brain)
Ma, take a hint, make me swerve in the lane
The name Malicious and I burn every track
Clipse and J. Timberlake - now how heavy is that?
[Bridge]
[Chorus]
[beat stops]
[Outro: Justin Timberlake]
Break it down
You know, I used to dream about this when I was a little boy
I never thought it would end up this way, drums [beat resumes]
It's kind of special right? yeah...
You know, you think about it
Sometimes people, just destined
Destined to do what they do
And that's what it is
Now everybody dance...