Justin Timberlake apologizes for beatboxing
There are some moments in music history that seem destined to become inside jokes. For Justin Timberlake, one such moment revolves around a quirky, off-the-cuff habit from his early career: beatboxing. Recently, the singer addressed this playful memory, offering a wry apology that perfectly captured the chaotic spirit of that era: “Too many boots. Too many cats.”
The conversation started on Instagram, sparked by a video from creator Hannah Young. Young pointed out that Timberlake’s tendency to break into beatboxing during his time with *NSYNC and his early solo work often went largely unquestioned at the time. She noted that there was a specific moment where he would simply be making sounds—boots and cats—in the middle of a song.
Young observed that this habit was so common that nobody questioned it. She added that the prevailing feeling was acceptance, stating, “Nobody said, ‘Justin, you know? We have drums. This is a professional recording studio. There are instruments available to you.’ And we liked it.”
Timberlake clearly found the joke amusing, and he echoed the sentiment. He reflected that he still struggles to find the right words for an apology, admitting, “I still haven’t come up with any answers. I don’t know how to apologize enough for whatever those ambitions were. Too many boots. Too many cats. I hope you can forgive me.”
While the story is lighthearted, the rhythm of that beatboxing wasn’t just a fleeting party trick; it was woven into the very foundation of his musical identity. The technique became an integral part of the sound that helped define his solo career.
This integration is perhaps best illustrated by his work on “Cry Me a River.” Before the track was fully developed, Timberlake recalled that Timbaland had already laid down the beatboxing foundation, setting the pace for the entire production process.
This early influence carried through to his 2002 debut solo album, Justified, where “Cry Me a River” became an early signature hit. The album was a major commercial success, celebrating its 20th anniversary with a reflection on that transformative time in his life.
His solo journey has been marked by significant achievements, yielding three Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, including “SexyBack,” “My Love” featuring T.I., and “What Goes Around…Comes Around.”
Across his entire career, Timberlake has accumulated an impressive collection of chart success, logging 39 Billboard Hot 100 entries, 19 top 10 hits, and five No. 1 spots. Further cementing his appeal are major collaborations, such as Timbaland’s hit “Give It to Me,” featuring Nelly Furtado, and the massive 2016 hit “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”.
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