S. Samuel
Rap mogul Jay-Z is helping singer Justin Timberlake make a triumphant comeback in nearly seven years with help from mega producer Timbaland for their "Suit and Tie" collaboration.
After some early buzz heated up the Internet last week, the threesome’s new effort landed online Monday (January 14).
Mr. “SexyBack” is back. Justin Timberlake released his new single, “Suit and Tie,” late Sunday night. It features rapper Jay-Z. The upbeat jam is the 31-year-old’s first musical offering since 2006’s critically acclaimed “FutureSex/LoveSounds.” His third solo album, “The 20/20 Experience,” will be out later this year. Timberlake co-wrote and co-produced “Suit and Tie” with Timbaland, who produced much of the Grammy-winning “FutureSex/LoveSounds.” (Detroit Free Press)
Timberlake also issued a statement to accompany the new record via his website.
“The inspiration for this really came out of the blue and to be honest, I didn’t expect anything out of it. I just went into the studio and started playing around with some sounds and songs. It was probably the best time I’ve had in my career… Just creating with no rules and/or end goal in mind and really enjoying the process. What I came up with is something I couldn’t be more excited about! It is full of inspiration that I grew up listening to and some newfound muses that I’ve discovered along the way. I’m calling it “The 20/20 Experience,” and it’s coming out this year.” (Justin Timberlake)
Heading into the weekend, JT hinted at something big dropping soon.
Prior to the Destiny’s Child announcement, however, Justin Timberlake – full-time actor, part-time scatter cushion doyen and possibly the greatest male entertainer since Michael Jackson – tweeted: “Thursday, January 10th, 2013 at 9:01 am PST.” While there was initial speculation that this was just something to do with MySpace (Timberlake is a stakeholder in the ailing social network), the tweet fuelled earlier rumours about his imminent return after a claim last year by producer Jim Bean that he was working on an unspecified “Justin Timberlake project” (it was then hastily denied). In the end Thursday’s activity was little more than an internet tease, with a video showing the singer walking through a recording studio as a voiceover defends his six-year absence from music. At the end he turns to the camera, pops on his headphones and says, “I’m ready.” (The Guardian)
This all comes months after he married longtime girlfriend/actress Jessica Biel overseas with Timbaland and other high-profile celebrities in attendance.
It’s official! Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are married. Celebrating the pending nuptials with friends and family in southern Italy since Tuesday, the actor-singer and actress finally tied the knot in a Friday ceremony. On Wednesday, the group enjoyed cocktails and a fireworks display at beach club Cala Masciola ahead of the big day. (Los Angeles Times)
Check out “Suit & Tie”:
