2000s Artist Highlight: Justin Timberlake
February 28, 2017
With all this Coffeehouse and 2000s musical icon talk, I think there is a universal struggle to get one question off our minds… Who really is Justin Timberlake? The man is a living, breathing identity crisis. First, he’s on Mickey Mouse Club House, then he’s in one of the world’s most popular boy bands, then he’s a solo artist, then he’s working alongside comedian Jimmy Fallon, and then – practically full circle – he’s doing children’s cartoon films! Who is this guy?!
Don’t mistake my tone for anger, but rather utter interest. JT shaped my middle school musical taste buds and still intrigues me today. However, I am specifically interested in who he really was during the decade of the 2000s.
Although his work with *NSYNC will forever hold a place in my heart, his solo career began in 2002 and that is what we will focus on as far as his musical endeavors. He released his first solo album, “Justified” (clever) and went on to win a Grammy for it. Although I was quite young when his first album came out, I do remember well my oldest sister speaking with worry about his future success as a solo artist. However, Justin Timberlake definitely proved he could stand alone. In 2004, Timberlake won Grammy awards for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, after his first album had sold more than 7 million copies worldwide. But his talent does not stop there. *
CNN deems Timberlake an “entertainer”**. Not only does he release many more solo albums that keep him on the charts, in 2006 he also starred in the film Alpha Dog and, as most fondly remembered by me, in 2007 Justin played the voice of Artie in Shrek the Third.***
As far as his personal life goes, Justin dated many ladies including fellow 2000s beloved icon Britney Spears and actress Cameron Diaz. It was in 2007 that Justin Timberlake began to date his now-wife, actress Jessica Biel. The pair got married in 2012 and have a son together!
To this day, Justin Timberlake embodies something bigger than the boy band member my older sister really liked when she was in tenth grade. Perhaps I am intrigued by his charm and ability to swing between entertainment fields. I appreciate his willingness to try new things and I definitely think he is talented and a little funny. There will always be a place in my heart for singing my lungs out to “Cry Me a River” in the car with my friends on the way to the movie theater. For that I am forever indebted to you, Justin.
Resources
*http://www.biography.com/people/justin-timberlake-201200#synopsis
**http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/23/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/justin-timberlake-rise-to-fame/