Justin Timberlake jokingly apologizes for his beatboxing era but teases he may ‘do it again’
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Justin Timberlake is asking fans for forgiveness while looking back on his former beatboxing era, which he now considers one of his more regrettable ambitions.
The singer recently responded to a social media video revisiting his habit of making drum sounds with his mouth during performances. Timberlake jokingly apologized for the “too many boots” and “too many cats” while admitting he cannot promise he will not do it again.
Justin Timberlake responds to beatboxing criticism with an apology
Timberlake commented on a video from social media creator Hannah Young, known as @uhhuhhannah on Instagram, in which she discussed his former beatboxing habit. In the video posted Sunday, Young said, “We don’t talk about Justin Timberlake beatboxing enough,” before recalling how he would sometimes interrupt songs with “boots and cats, boots and cats.”
Young questioned why nobody had stopped Timberlake despite professional recording studios having drums and other instruments available. She said he instead wanted to “make space noises with his mouth” and noted that the habit appeared during awards shows and live performances.
“You gave that man a microphone, and there was always a chance he was about to go, ‘Boots and cats, boots and cats,’” Young said, adding that audiences still enjoyed watching him do it. She also recalled being impressed by his ability to make drum noises with his mouth.
Timberlake responded by admitting that he also looks back on that period, “I often look back on that time as well. 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.”
The NSYNC alum then appeared to leave open the possibility of returning to beatboxing. “Also, I can’t promise I won’t do it again. God help us all,” he concluded.
Justin Timberlake previously called his beatboxing interlude regrettable
Timberlake had previously addressed his beatboxing during a 2023 appearance on ‘Hot Ones’ with his NSYNC bandmates Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez and Joey Fatone. Host Sean Evans brought up his “beatbox battle interlude” during the group’s stadium tour shows, prompting the singer to discuss the routine.
“File that under, you know, slightly regrettable,” Timberlake said, while Bass described the moment as “iconic.” Timberlake has also been involved in other viral moments over the years. In April, he shared a throwback video of himself speaking with a young Justin Bieber after Bieber mentioned him during his headlining Coachella set.
Timberlake’s Instagram post also included a clip of Bieber performing his 2002 hit ‘Cry Me a River.’
Bieber said onstage that he grew up listening to Timberlake and other talented artists before recalling the moment “like it was yesterday” and singing along to a throwback cover of the song that he had recorded and posted to YouTube before becoming famous.
