Justin Timberlake is no stranger to a good collaboration. His wide-ranging voice blends seamlessly throughout a number of genres, and his decades-long experience in the music industry has allowed him to make several high-profile, talented friends along the way.
In 2020, the Trolls World Tour soundtrack was unleashed with the help of two new Timberlake duets: “The Other Side” (with SZA) and “Don’t Slack” (with Anderson .Paak). Most recently, in 2022, he teamed up with Calvin Harris, Halsey and Pharrell Williams for “Stay With Me,” featured on Harris’ Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2.
In honor of his decades of music magic, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite JT collabs, from pop to hip-hop and R&B. See them below.
In 2008, this song was inescapable. The single came following T.I.’s smash Paper Trail album, which claimed two Hot 100 No. 1s with “Whatever You Like” and the Rihanna-assisted “Live Your Life.” T.I.’s flow mixed with JT’s melodic chorus paints a cinematic picture of leaving your old self in the past.
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Speaking of T.I. collabs, 2006’s “My Love” was a definite standout from Timberlake’s FutureSex/LoveSounds album. The album is still a staple at clubs, and gets the whole crowd going with the instantly recognizable opening line of “Ain’t another woman that can take your spot, my love.”
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Yes, we all know JT brought sexy back with Timbaland on his 2006 hit, but did you know the song got a fun twist from Missy Elliott? The DJ Wayne Williams Ol’ Skool Remix of the tune features a new opening verse from Elliott and another flow before Timberlake’s last verse. Elliott puts references the already risqué lyrics in her own way by rapping, “Don’t you like the way I make you be my little slave?/ Whip you like a kid every time you misbehave.”
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The songstress called on JT for her 2009 Fantasy Ride tune. The duo trade honeyed and sultry verses alongside an equally seductive music video in which Ciara gets flexible on an attentive Justin.
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A total knockout to say the least. A$AP Rocky, J. Cole and Pusha T trade verses on a cold-hearted woman over The 20/20 Experience track’s menacing beat, before JT comes in with the explosive chorus.
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Jay-Z and JT explore the struggles with fame in the lead single off the rapper’s 2013 album, Magna Carta Holy Grail. “Caught up in all these lights and cameras/ But look what that s—- did to Hammer/ Goddammit I like it,” Jay-Z raps in his verse, in response to JT’s proclamation, “Sipping from your cup ’til it runneth over, Holy Grail.”
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JT’s process for seduction is laid out in the alluring “Cabaret,” featured on his 2013 album, The 20/20 Experience. Drizzy hops in for a high-energy third verse, rapping, “Got a bunch of old girls that I threw away for ya/ I been in the gym doing two-a-days for ya/ So I can lift ya up when I do the thang to ya.”
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The originally solo song off FutureSex/LoveSounds got a dreamy remix thanks to Queen Bey, as the duo muse about everlasting love.
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Still one of Timberlake’s fan favorites, “Like I Love You” was the lead single off his 2002 debut solo album, Justified. The must-have tune for a night out features production from The Neptunes (Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams) and a verse from Clipse (Pusha T and No Malice).
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“Ayo, I’m tired of using technology/Why don’t you sit down on top of me?” Timberlake declares to his “new-age” girl in the chorus of this 2007 hit, which peaked at No. 5 on the Hot 100.
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RiRi called on the crooner for the Good Girl Gone Bad cut for the background vocals, and the two get close in the steamy music video.
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The moment we had all been waiting for in 2013. Timberlake had been on a six-year hiatus since the release of FutureSex/LoveSounds, and finally satisfied fans itching for new music with the release of The 20/20 Experience’s lead single, “Suit & Tie.” The sleek, nostalgic tune features a guest verse from frequent collaborator Jay-Z, who stunts that the duo are decked in “Tom Ford tuxedos for no reason.”
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JT’s 2018 album, Man of the Woods, only had two features, and they did not disappoint. “Say Something” was the star track of the album, marking Timberlake’s first musical dip into his country, Tennesseean roots. The modern-yet-acoustic feel to the tune is complete with Stapleton’s husky vocals and the duo’s soaring harmonies.
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Man of the Woods’ second collab comes in the form of the peaceful love song with vocals from Alicia Keys. “I’m in love with you/ Laying here in the morning light/ And all I want to do, is hold you tight just one more night/ Yes I’m in love with you,” the duo sing in the sugary sweet chorus.
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The Queen of Pop and Timberlake share a flirtatious back-and-forth in this 2008 hit, as they claim to have the four-minute length of the song to “save the world.” The urgency builds in the “tick tock tick tock” Madonna teases at the end before the tune’s final breakdown.
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