The 20/20 Experience

Overview
The 20/20 Experience is Justin Timberlake’s third studio album, released March 19, 2013 on RCA. It functions as the first half of a two‑part project, with The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 following later that year; critics praised its expansive, neo-soul‑leaning sound. It opened with 968,000 copies sold in the U.S., the biggest debut week of Timberlake’s solo career. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience))

Recording History
- Recording ran from late May/early June 2012 to July 2012 at Larrabee Studios (North Hollywood), EastWest Studios (Los Angeles), and Jungle City Studios (New York City). ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience))
- Producers were Timbaland, Justin Timberlake (executive), and Jerome “J-Roc” Harmon; Rob Knox contributed to the deluxe edition. Chris Godbey handled most engineering. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience))
- The music is built around long, groove‑driven tracks with vamps, abrupt key changes, and expansive arrangements; it also uses piano and distorted vocal textures, lush strings/horns, and squelching analog synthesizers. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience))
- The lead single “Suit & Tie” contains a portion of the composition “Sho’ Nuff.” ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience))

Chart Performance & Recognition
- Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 968,000 first‑week copies; it was the year's best‑selling debut in the U.S. and topped the UK and other markets. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience))
- By April 2013 it was certified double platinum in the U.S.; worldwide, combined sales with 2 of 2 reached about 6 million by July 2014. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience))
- Singles included “Suit & Tie” (No. 3 US) and “Mirrors” (No. 2 US). The album earned Grammy nominations for Best Pop Vocal Album; “Suit & Tie” and “Pusher Love Girl” won Best Music Video and Best R&B Song respectively. It also won Favorite Soul/R&B Album at the American Music Awards. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience))
- The set set the record as the fastest‑selling album in iTunes history at opening, surpassing 580,000 digital copies worldwide. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience))

Cultural Impact & Legacy
- The project helped redefine Timberlake’s post‑N Sync era with its focused, expansive neo‑soul approach and clock‑length tracks that emphasized atmosphere and groove. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience))
- It influenced contemporary pop/R&B production and is often noted for its daring song structures and Timbland/J-Roc collaborations. The era culminated in The Complete Experience compilation and continued touring. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience_%E2%80%93_2_of_2))
- Notably, the track “Suit & Tie”’s use of a sample from “Sho’ Nuff” remains a documented collision of old‑school soul with modern pop production. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience))