Review
Yo, let's talk about Justin Timberlake's debut solo joint, 'Justified'. This album dropped in 2002 and, real talk, it was the moment JT stepped out of that *NSYNC shadow and into his own spotlight. The man wasn't playin' - he came through with a whole new vibe, ditching the bubblegum pop for something with a bit more soul and swagger.
Now, peep this - The Neptunes and Timbaland were behind the boards, cookin' up some serious heat. We're talking R&B, funk, and dance-pop all mixed up in one tasty musical gumbo. And JT wasn't riding solo on this one; he brought in some heavy hitters like Janet Jackson and Clipse to sprinkle their magic on the tracks. 'Like I Love You', 'Rock Your Body', 'Señorita' - these joints were straight fire, showing off Timberlake's vocal chops and proving he could hang with the best in the game.
But let's keep it a hundred - 'Cry Me a River' was the crown jewel of this album. That track had everyone in their feelings, and it even scooped up a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The whole album was a commercial monster too, moving over 10 million units worldwide and going triple platinum in the States. Critics were all over it, showering 'Justified' with love and awards. It's wild to think this album didn't even need a number one hit on the Hot 100 to become one of the most iconic records of the 2000s. That's just how Justin do. - Jace
