Poor reviews aside, Justin Timberlake's 'Man of the Woods' is No.1

LOS ANGELES -- Justin Timberlake snagged the No.1 Spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart with "Man of the Woods," despite harsh reviews and a Super Bowl halftime show that was deemed underwhelming on social media and by music critics.

"Man of the Woods," Timberlake's first studio album since 2013, sold more than 242,000 units in its first week of release, according to Nielsen Music data released on Monday.

The Billboard 200 chart tallies units from album sales, song sales (10 songs equal one album) and streaming activity (1,500 streams equal one album).

"Man of the Woods" marks Timberlake's fourth Billboard No.1 album and was the biggest-selling album in the U.S. since Taylor Swift's "Reputation" in December 2017, Billboard said.

It debuted at No.1 after a February 4 Super Bowl performance consisting mostly of Timberlake's old hits that also featured a controversial segment featuring a huge projection of Prince, who died in 2016.

The former NSYNC singer also took heat on social media for failing to mention, or perform with, Janet Jackson after an infamous 2004 Super Bowl appearance which ended with Timberlake ripping off Jackson's top and accidentally briefly exposing her breast.

Nevertheless, the Super Bowl and halftime show were watched by some 103 million Americans on television. Nielsen Music reported last week that on-demand audio and video streams for all of the songs performed by Timberlake jumped 45 percent on the day after the game, compared to the day before.

Timberlake, best known for pop tracks like "SexyBack" and "Rock Your Body," promoted "Man of the Woods" as a country-inspired album that took him back to his Memphis roots.

But the album had few fans among music reviewers. Esquire called it "disappointing" and "kind of embarrassing," while USA Today said the album "can't pull off its Americana-pop fusion."

On the digital Billboard songs chart, which measures online single sales, Timberlake had three songs in the top 20 - "Say Something" featuring Chris Stapleton, "Man of the Woods," and his 2016 hit "Can't Stop the Feeling." Canadian rapper Drake took the top spot with "God's Plan," with more than 55,00 units sold. 

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Timberlake back at Super Bowl halftime, no wardrobe malfunctions

MINNEAPOLIS - Justin Timberlake posed for a selfie, paid tribute to music legend Prince and played it safe at a halftime Super Bowl performance on Sunday, returning to the gig where he and Janet Jackson introduced "wardrobe malfunction" to the American lexicon.

Timberlake danced and sang his way through a roughly 12-minute set before a television audience estimated at over 100 million people, mixing a song from his new album and staples such as “Can’t Stop the Feeling" that made him an intentionally known solo artist.

In an homage in Minneapolis to the state's native son Prince, who died in 2016, Timberlake played a white piano and sat beneath a projection of Prince on a screen to sing a cover of "I would Die 4 U."

The only major piece of clothing that came off this time was Timberlake's jacket. In 2004, he infamously ripped off part of Janet Jackson's garment during their halftime show in Houston and briefly bared her breast.

The incident dubbed "Nipplegate" was blamed on a wardrobe malfunction. It also lit the Internet on fire with a flash of the bare breast becoming the most-searched image in Internet history at the time.

Timberlake said via social media just ahead of his 2018 performance that he would not be sharing the Super Bowl stage with Jackson on Sunday.

Jackson ended up taking most of the blame for the 2004 incident, with some radio stations boycotting her music. Timberlake came away from the incident with little damage to his career.

A few hours ahead of the game, Jackson's fans stormed social media and made #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay the top trending item on U.S. Twitter. Supporters of the singer flooded the social media platform with messages of appreciation for Jackson, who as a solo artist has sold more than double the number of records of Timberlake, according to Recording Industry Association of America data.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Justin Timberlake gets 'personal' in first album in five years

Pop superstar Justin Timberlake on Tuesday announced his first album in nearly 5 years, promising more "personal" songwriting inspired by his home and family.

The 36-year-old singer and actor said that "Man in the Woods," his fifth solo studio album, will come out on February 2 -- two days before he headlines entertainment during the Super Bowl, generally the most watched television event of the year in the United States.

Timberlake unveiled the album with a short video on social media that, true to the album's title, shows him walking reflectively in scenes of nature from a snowy forest to a sunny corn field.

"This album is really inspired by my son, my wife, my family, but -- more so than any other album I've ever written -- where I'm from," Timberlake says in the video.

"And it's personal."

Timberlake, who had a son in 2015 with his wife, actress Jessica Biel, grew up near Memphis, Tennessee, one of the capitals of blues and soul music as well as rural-rooted country.

The video features snippets of acoustic guitar, hinting perhaps at a more somber sound for the album, but closes with Timberlake in the studio with all-star pop producer Pharrell Williams.

Timberlake, one of the top-selling artists of the 21st century both as a solo artist and with boy band NSYNC, rose to fame with an electronic pop sound before finding a new voice by bringing in R&B, notably on his 2006 album "FutureSex/LoveSounds."

He last released full albums in 2013, putting out "The 20/20 Experience" and "The 20/20 Experience -- 2 of 2" in quick succession.

Even without albums, Timberlake has kept putting out music, scoring a mega-hit in 2016 with "Can't Stop the Feeling!" a giddy summer song that appeared in the animated film "Trolls."

But Timberlake has focused increasingly on acting rather than music in the past several years, most recently starring as a bookish and seductive lifeguard in Woody Allen's "Wonder Wheel."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Justin Timberlake to headline Super Bowl halftime show

Grammy Award-winning pop singer Justin Timberlake will headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February, 14 years after a “wardrobe malfunction” overshadowed his last gig at the championship game, the NFL said on Sunday.

This will mark Timberlake’s third time on the halftime stage, giving the “Can’t Stop The Feeling” singer the distinction of having the most appearances by an individual entertainer, the National Football League said in a statement.

The 10-times Grammy winner last performed at the Super Bowl in 2004 when he infamously ripped off part of Janet Jackson’s garment during their halftime show in Houston and briefly bared her breast.

The incident coined the phrase “wardrobe malfunction”

The Super Bowl is the most-watched event on U.S. television, drawing more than 100 million viewers. Previous halftime headliners include Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars and Madonna.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Cirque du Soleil sues Timberlake for copyright infringement

NEW YORK, United States - Canadian-based Cirque du Soleil is suing American pop superstar Justin Timberlake, alleging that his hit song "Don't Hold the Wall" illegally borrows from one of the troupe's original musical compositions.

A 10-page complaint filed in New York alleges that Timberlake illegally used parts of the song "Steel Dream," taken from Cirque du Soleil's 1997 album "Quidam."

The circus troupe, which is asking for $800,000 in damages, said it had filed the suit over the "unauthorized use of the musical composition and sound recording" in Timberlake's song, which appeared on his 2013 album "The 20/20 Experience."

The suit also holds the song's three co-authors responsible, in addition to Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music and WB Music Corp.

Cirque du Soleil did not immediately respond to a request for comment by AFP.

According to trade magazine Variety, the suit is not the first of its type to target Timberlake.

In February, an allegation arose that his song "Damn Girl," which he collaborated on with Will.I.Am, borrowed from the 1969 song "A New Day is Here At Last."

Timberlake made his start as a child television star before joining boy band 'NSync.

He more recently has become one of the music industry's most popular solo singers and has starred in movies including the Facebook-themed drama "The Social Network."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jay R brings sexy back as Justin Timberlake

MANILA -- RNB singer Jay R showed off his dance moves as he transformed into international pop star Justin Timberlake on "Your Face Sounds Familiar."

Jay R kicked off Saturday's episode with a performance of Timberlake's hit song "Sexy Back."

A constant top scorer, Jay R earned praises from the judges for his performance. All judges noted that unlike his previous performances, the singer is now in his "comfort zone."

"This is your music, this is your sound, this is your groove, 'di ba? Since ikaw ang front-runner ngayon, we just want to tell you that we're going to be more critical sa'yo, mas mataas ang expectations namin sa'yo...so now if you ask me, you did. Congratulations," Jed Madela said.

"This is the first time na nakita kita sa video na pinapawisan. I feel na kahit comfort zone niya, it was a challenge for you pa rin. I think the challenge also was how do you erase the voice of Jay-R, dahil 'yun ang style mo eh, and have the style of Justin Timberlake come to the front. So even if you did 'Sexy Back', you brought that sexiness to the front, and you did it in a great way, my friend," Gary Valenciano added.

"I guess because Justin Timberlake is Justin Timberlake, parang dancing to him is second nature eh, pero everything else, Jay R, 'yung steps niya nakuha mo to think na hindi ka naman talaga sanay sa choreo. The voice, kuhang-kuha mo, 'yun lang siguro ang hinahanap ko. Siguro kasi we're medyo a little more strict now, gusto ko ng second nature pa pero, kuhang-kuha nevertheless," Sharon Cuneta said.

Jay R is currently the show's top scorer, with 158 points.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Timberlake confirms Jessica Biel is pregnant

NEW YORK -- American singer and actor Justin Timberlake took to Instagram on his 34th birthday Saturday to announce that he and his wife, actress Jessica Biel, are expecting their first child.

"Thank you EVERYONE for the Bday wishes! This year, I'm getting the GREATEST GIFT EVER. CAN'T WAIT. #BoyOrGirl #YouNeverKnow #WeDontEvenKnow #WeAreTakingBets," Timberlake wrote on his Instagram account below a photograph of him kissing Biel's pregnant belly.


Timberlake made his start as a child television star before joining 'NSync.

He more recently has become one of the music industry's most popular solo singers and has starred in movies including the Facebook-themed drama "The Social Network."

Timberlake in 2012 married Biel, 32, who has found success both on television and in film.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

MTV VMA nominees: Justin Timberlake, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis lead

Justin Timberlake and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis each landed six nominations for this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, which will be awarded Aug. 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Timberlake’s “Mirrors” and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop,” featuring Wanz, will both compete for video of the year against Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven,” Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” featuring T.I. and Pharrell, and Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble.”

Voting for all the general categories began at MTV’s site this morning. Music and video experts will vote on the professional categories.

In addition to video of the year, Timberlake’s “Mirrors” landed nominations for best male video, best pop video and best editing. His “Suit & Tie” video featuring Jay-Z, will compete for best collaboration and best direction. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop” also landed nominations for best hip-hop video, best cinematography, and best direction. “Can’t Hold Us” featuring Ray Dalton, is up for best editing, while “Same Love” is in the "Best Video with a Social Message” category.

Also up for “Best Video with a Social Message” are: Kelly Clarkson’s “People Like Us.,” Snoop Lion’s “No Guns Allowed,” Miguel’s “Candles In The Sun,” and Beyoncé’s “I Was Here.”

Voting for all awards closes Aug. 12, except for the “Artist to Watch” category, which will continue until the winner is announced on the show. The “Artist to Watch” nominees are: Twenty One Pilots’ “Holding On To You,” Zedd featuring Foxes’ “Clarity,” Austin Mahone’s “What About Love,” The Weeknd’s “Wicked Games” and Iggy Azalea’s “Work.”

source: newsday.com

Justin Timberlake sorry for 'silly' wedding video

LOS ANGELES - Actor-singer Justin Timberlake apologized Friday for a "distasteful" video produced by a friend as a joke that critics blasted for making fun of homeless people.

The heartthrob actor posted an open letter on his website about the video, in which a string of homeless, transgender and other people wished him best wishes for his wedding to actress Jessica Biel, in southern Italy.

"I had no knowledge of its existence. I had absolutely ZERO contribution to it," he said of the video, whose makers according to the TMZ celebrity news website include his friend Justin Huchel.

"I think we can all agree that it was distasteful, even though that was not it's intention," he said.

The video, initially posted on the Gawker website, has a series of Los Angeles vagrants, street musicians and others talk to camera, sending wishes to Timberlake and Biel for their recent Italian nuptials.

"Greetings from your Hollywood friends who just couldn't make it," says a caption at one point, followed by "Love Huch and Rachel."

Timberlake wrote: "I don't live my life making fun of people (unless, of course, I'm making fun of myself on [TV comedy show Saturday Night Live] ... Especially, those who are less fortunate or those in need.

"My friends are good people. This was clearly a lapse in judgment which I'm sure no one who is reading this is exempt from. But, I don't believe it was made to be insensitive.

He added: "On behalf of my friends, family, and associative knuckleheads, I am deeply sorry to anyone who was offended by the video."

Timberlake, 31 -- whose movie credits include 2010's "The Social Network" and 2011's "Friends with Benefits" -- and 30-year-old Biel dated for five years before their wedding this month.

At the end of his open letter, Timberlake said: "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts. It really is a blessing to be able to speak directly to my true fans."

He concluding by vowing to get his friend to "do at least 100 hours of community service."

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Myspace sold for just $35M to ad network

Myspace, the once-dominant social network that has since been overshadowed by Facebook, has been sold to an advertising network for P35 million —a far cry from the $580M it was valued at in 2005.

Buyer Specific Media said News Corp., the Internet property's former owner, will have a minority equity stake in Specific Media.

"Today, we are announcing that Myspace will be acquired by Specific Media, one of the world’s leading online media and advertising platforms. Over the next few days you will be hearing from the team at Specific, including their CEO, Tim Vanderhook, regarding their exciting plans for Myspace and how it fits in with the overall vision of their company," outgoing Myspace CEO Mike Jones said in a June 29 memo to employees.

In his memo —the text of which was posted on All Things Digital— Jones said they will conduct a series of "restructuring initiatives," including a "significant reduction in our workforce."

He thanked the employees for their work, adding his time at Myspace represents "the most engaging and chalenging time of my professional career."

"While I regret we won’t be working together at Myspace any longer, I am very proud of the work we have done here and believe we have performed with excellence — even under extremely difficult circumstances," he said.

For his part, Vanderhook said Myspace is a "recognized leader that has pioneered the social media space."

Specific Media, founded in 1999 by brothers Tim, Chris and Russell Vanderhook, is currently headquartered in Irvine, California.

“There are many synergies between our companies as we are both focused on enhancing digital media experiences by fueling connections with relevance and interest. We look forward to combining our platforms to drive the next generation of digital innovation," Vanderhook said.

Specific Media is an innovative global interactive media company that enables advertisers to connect with consumers in meaningful, impactful and relevant ways. Founded in 1999 by brothers Tim, Chris and Russell Vanderhook, Specific Media is currently headquartered in Irvine, CA and operates offices around the world.

Tech site Mashable cited sources who said nearly 50 percent of the site's staff may be cut after the sale.

Mashable added it is likely that Myspace may focus on music.

All Things Digital noted Myspace had been bought for as high as $580 million in 2005.

An entry in the New York Times noted the buying price is well below the $100 million that News Corp. had been hoping for.

The New York Times also said Specific Media had brought on board artist Justin Timberlake as a part owner and an active player in MySpace’s future. — TJD, GMA News


Source: gmanews.tv