The beatboxing files
If you spent any time listening to early 2000s bops, you definitely remember the phase where Justin Timberlake would randomly break into beatboxing. It’s a core memory for many, but one creator, Hannah Young, recently took to Instagram to call out how we all just collectively accepted it as normal back then. In her viral video, she rightfully pointed out: "There was a moment in time where that man would be in the middle of a song and just boots and cats and boots and cats."
She wasn't even lying—it was totally giving main character energy, and honestly? We let him cook for way too long. The best part is that Justin actually saw the post and jumped into the comments to address the elephant in the room.
The official 'apology'
"I often look back on that time as well," Justin commented. "I still haven’t come up with any answers. I don’t know how to apologize enough for whatever those ambitions were. Too many boots. Too many cats. I hope you can forgive me."
But before you think he’s leaving the beatboxing in the past, he added a chaotic caveat: "Also, I can’t promise I won’t do it again. God help us all." Real talk, we wouldn't expect anything less.
While it’s funny to look back on, beatboxing was actually a huge part of his professional toolkit. Remember the absolute serve that was "Cry Me a River"? Justin previously shared on Hot Ones that Timbaland actually beatboxed the entire foundation of the track before they even started building it.
Why it matters
It’s a hilarious moment of self-awareness for a legend who has secured 39 Billboard Hot 100 entries throughout his career. While the "boots and cats" era might seem like a fever dream now, it clearly helped build the sound that defined his iconic Justified and FutureSex/LoveSounds eras. Whether you loved the beatboxing or found it a little extra, you have to admit the man knows how to keep people talking.
