Justified (2002) was a blockbuster album by Justin Timberlake, his debut solo effort away from the group *NSYNC. The album has signaled Timberlake's desire to craft a more mature image than that of "boy band member."

The album was fronted by "Like I Love You", a hit single that proved Timberlake's solo sales could rival his former band's. It was produced by The Neptunes, one of the most famous and highly-regarded production units in the country, and was accompanied by a music video that showed Timberlake's veneration for pop icon Michael Jackson.

The popularity of the first single was equalled or surpassed by the releases which followed:

• "Cry Me a River", a ballad (accompanied by a dark video depicting a tale of rejection and revenge, which could be seen as evocative of his relationship with Britney Spears)
• "Rock Your Body", a disco-infused dance number
• "Señorita", a danceable love song with a vaguely Latin feel

(Another single released that year, but which did not appear on the album, was "I'm Lovin' It", which proved extremely lucrative when it was sold to the McDonalds Corporation for use in a massive TV and radio advertising blitz.)

In early February of 2004, Timberlake and Justified were honored with three Grammys at the awards ceremony in New York City.