Justin Timberlake's Most Hip-Hop Moments

He's been showing love to the rap game for years.

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Image via Complex Original
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Long before his days of touring with Jay-Z and singing about how he's got "rappers acting dramatic," Justin Timberlake was doing choreographed dance moves with his 'N Sync brothers.

When it came time for his solo venture, he worked closely with The Neptunes and Timbaland and he's been a fixture in hip-hop ever since. He's collaborated with 50 Cent, T.I., Nelly, and Clipse were featured on his debut solo single, "Like I Love You."

Clearly, the guy's got hip-hop running through his veins these days. With his anticipated The 20/20 Experience album mere days away, there's no better time to look back at Justin Timberlake's Most Hip-Hop Moments.

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His Struggle Cornrows (2000)

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Beatboxing on 'N Sync's "Pop" (2001)

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It doesn't matter if the song is titled "Pop," Justin just can't stray too far away from the world of hip-hop. JT's beatbox breakdown on this track proved that he was a jack of many trades.

Nelly on N'Sync's "Girlfriend (Remix)" (2002)

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Working With The Neptunes and Timbaland on Justified (2002)

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Good music knows no boundaries and JT teaming up with hip hop's most sought out producers was smart. The Neptunes and Timbaland produced the entire album with the exception of two songs.

Clipse on His Debut Solo Single "Like I Love You" (2002)

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The former boy band front man made his solo debut in a major way. The track was subsequently nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the Grammys.

Beatboxing on "Rock Your Body" (2002)

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JT showed off his beatboxing talents once again. This time, on his debut album.

50 Cent on "Cry Me A River (Remix)" (2003)

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50 Cent hopped on Justin's break-up inspired track for a pretty cool remix. Listeners get a hood love story from 50 that's a bit of a contrast compared to JT's.

His Feature on Bubba Sparxxx's "Hootnanny" (2003)

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What on the surface seems like the unlikeliest of pairings actually turned out to be a decent track. It could be the fact that both Bubba and JT hail from the South.

His Feature on Nelly's "Work It" (2003)

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In 2003, Nelly was riding the tail end of his Nellyville release. The fact that he enlisted JT to serve as the chorus on "Work It" means he already had some credibility to his name. Could it have been the beatboxing?

His Feature on Snoop Dogg's "Signs" (2004)

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As the third single from Snoop's Rhythm & Gangsta, "Signs" doesn't stray too far from exactly what the album title evokes.

T.I. and Three 6 Mafia on FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)

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When JT came out with FutureSex/LoveSounds, he was solidifying as himself a true R&B crooner, so it made sense to get T.I. on one of the album's most popular songs. Three 6 Mafia, fresh off an Oscar win, also appeared on "Chop Me Up."

His Feature on 50 Cent's "Ayo Technology" (2007)

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This synth-led song was one of 50 Cent's singles from his album Curtis. The track, produced by Timbaland, was nominated for Best Rap Song at the 2008 Grammys.

His Features on Timbaland Presents: Shock Value (2007)

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JT had teamed up with Timbaland before, but when his favorite producer released his own project, Shock Value, JT was quick to jump on a couple tracks: "Give It to Me," "Release," and "Bounce" with Missy Elliott and Dr. Dre.

His Feature on Talib Kweli's "The Nature" (2007)

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For his fourth solo album, Talib Kweli called on the help of JT to drop some smooth vocals on "The Nature."

"The History of Rap" with Jimmy Fallon (2010)

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"The History of Rap" with Jimmy Fallon (2010)

These two did an ode to the history of rap music and went through their own renditions of the genre's greatest songs. It's better than you would have guessed, too.

His Feature on Game's "Ain't No Doubt About It" (2010)

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Justin's falsetto chops complement this Game track nicely. Add some Neptunes keys and Pharrell vocals, and you've got yourself one hell of a summer jam.

His Feature on Diddy's "Shades" (2010)

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As if the sensual lead-up by Weezy, Diddy, and Bilal wasn't enough, Justin puts on his sexy talking voice for the last minute of this song. Between his hashtag punchlines ("I'ma bend yo body, bend yo body, Magneto") and Drake references ("You ain't never heard me talk/Just got my Drizzy on for you"), this one is pretty hip-hop on the low.

Rapping Kriss Kross "Jump" in "Friends with Benefits" (2011)

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Rapping Kriss Kross' "Jump" in Friends With Benefits (2011)

By this point, we all know that JT will flex his rap skills every chance he gets. In Friends With Benefits with Mila Kunis, he takes yet another opportunity to show off his affinity for rhyming.

Rapping on FreeSol's "Role Model" (2011)

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This isn't JT simply adding his singing to a hip-hop track. He went full-blown rapper on "Role Model."

Jay-Z on "Suit & Tie" and Their "Legends of the Summer" Tour (2013)

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JT came back to the spotlight with the hit "Suit & Tie" featuring Jay-Z. If the joy of hearing another Timberlake record after seven years didn't get you excited enough, then maybe seeing the duo perform at the Grammys and on Saturday Night Live did. And now, the dynamic duo are set to go on the road together this summer for the "Legends of the Summer" tour.

"Bring It On Down To Veganville" Rap on SNL (2013)

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"Bring It On Down To Veganville" Rap on SNL (2013)

While dressing up as a chunk of tofu may not sound particularly "hip-hop" at first, this is one of Justin's most uninhibited rap moments.

Responding to Kanye West's Rant on SNL (2013)

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Responding to Kanye West's Rant on SNL (2013)

Kanye West said he wasn't feeling "Suit & Tie." Justin took to SNL to let Kanye know how he felt by simply switching out some of the original lyrics to: "My hit's so sick/Got rappers acting dramatic."

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