From boy-band member to solo artist, Justin Timberlake has established as a pop icon and captured audiences worldwide with his smooth falsetto, impressive dance moves, and versatile talent.
His multifaceted talent doesn’t end with his singing and dance moves. He’s an accomplished songwriter, actor, and record producer who created a dynamic blueprint many emerging artists aspire to emulate.
For those who admire the Tennessee-born singer’s music, here are 13 amazing singers similar to Justin Timberlake to whet your sonic appetite. Let’s get started!
1. Justin Bieber
Discovered as a teen pop sensation, Justin Bieber‘s trajectory mirrors Justin Timberlake’s rise to fame. Like Timberlake, the Canadian singer transitioned from youthful pop anthems to mature, R&B-influenced songs.
Bieber is known for his many Platinum hits, like “What Do You Mean,” “Baby,” and “Sorry.” This latter track topped the charts across the globe, including the US, UK, and Canada.
Not a stranger to awards, Bieber has received over 380 of them throughout his career. He’s also set more than 30 Guinness World Records, the latest being the “Youngest Solo Artist to Have 100 Entries on the US Hot 100.”
2. Bruno Mars
The “24K Magic” singer Bruno Mars has an unmistakable gift for showmanship, and his retro-inspired tunes draw comparisons to Justin Timberlake’s artistry — both singers tap into old-school funk, soul, and R&B and modernize them for contemporary audiences.
Since Mars burst on the music scene in 2004, he’s given us many hit songs. Fan favorites include “Just the Way You Are,” “Grenade,” and “That’s What I Like.”
Like Timberlake, Mars received many awards over his career. His latest single, the 2021 “Leave the Door Open,” with rapper Anderson .Paak, received four Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song.
3. Usher
The R&B icon Usher shares numerous parallels with Justin Timberlake. Both artists started young — Usher released his self-titled debut album at just 15! Their smooth vocals combine well with their affinity for dance-infused tracks and showcase similarities in style and approach.
Though Usher dropped several critically acclaimed albums, the 2004 Confessions is his greatest release. Diamond-certified, it took the top spot on Billboard 200 and received three Grammys, including Best Contemporary R&B Album. The album also featured the award-winning tracks “My Boo” and “Yeah!”
As for the future, Usher shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to explore new musical territories and collaborations. There have also been ventures into acting and business, showcasing his multifaceted talents.
4. Chris Brown
Our next singer, Chris Brown, burst onto the scene in 2002 with his blend of R&B and pop, not unlike Justin Timberlake’s music style. Brown’s hits, like “Forever” and “With You,” encapsulate a youthful R&B-pop fusion and resemble Timberlake’s early work.
Despite his musical success, Brown’s career has been marred by several controversies. His personal life has often been in the spotlight, occasionally overshadowing his musical talent. However, Brown has demonstrated resilience, using these experiences to fuel his artistic growth.
Today, Brown continues to be a prominent figure in the music industry. He recently dropped the official video for his latest single, “Summer Too Hot,” much to the delight of his fans.
5. Adam Levine
As the frontman of the band Maroon 5, Adam Levine embodies a pop-rock ethos reminiscent of Justin Timberlake’s genre-blending style, and both artists’ falsetto vocals set them apart from other artists.
In addition to his work with Maroon 5, Levine has also enjoyed a successful solo career. His collaborations with various artists have produced chart-topping hits like “Locked Away” with R. City and “Stereo Hearts” with Gym Class Heroes.
Beyond his musical accomplishments, Levine has ventured into acting and television. He served as a coach on the popular television show The Voice, where his charm and wit won over audiences.
Presently, Levine continues to be a significant player in the music industry. He is constantly evolving his sound, blending traditional pop elements with innovative ones.
6. Harry Styles
The British pop icon Harry Styles has many similarities with Justin Timberlake. For one, his journey from the boy band One Direction to his solo career mirrors Timberlake’s evolution from NSYNC to individual stardom.
Both are also known for experimenting with their sound — while Timberlake infused R&B and pop, Styles has ventured into rock and folk, like in his self-titled 2017 album or the 2019 Fine Line.
Like many on this list, Styles has amassed awards. His latest album, Harry’s House (2022), has received over ten awards, including a Grammy for Album of the Year. The track “As It Was” also netted the singer a Song of the Year Brit Award.
7. John Legend
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter John Legend brings a soulful musicality akin to Justin Timberlake’s collection. Though Timberlake’s roots lie in pop and R&B and Legend’s lean toward neo-soul and traditional R&B, their paths intersect in their themes of love in timeless melodies.
A perfect example of Legend’s exceptional talent in capturing the heart through music is his 2013 song “All of Me.” This chart-topping, multi-platinum hit bowled listeners over with its heartfelt message of love and adoration for his significant other.
Legend’s contributions to music were recognized when he achieved the coveted EGOT status — winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. He is one of the youngest recipients and the first African-American man to earn this distinction.
8. Pharrell Williams
Like Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams is a key figure in shaping contemporary music. Fans celebrate him not just as a singer but as a prolific producer and songwriter who crafts hits for numerous artists.
Williams has also collaborated with Timberlake several times over his career. With his group The Neptunes, he helped produce some of Timberlake’s greatest hits, “Señorita” and “Rock Your Body.”
As a singer himself, Williams has had great success. His second album, GIRL, featuring the worldwide hit “Happy,” truly catapulted him into global stardom.
In addition to his music career, Williams has made significant contributions to the world of fashion. He co-founded the clothing brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream.
9. Ne-Yo
Next up is Ne-Yo, whose smooth R&B ballads, like “So Sick” and “Miss Independent,” demonstrate the soulful undercurrent found in Justin Timberlake’s discography.
Ne-Yo’s debut album, In My Own Words (2006), was a commercial success and established him as a talented singer-songwriter. The album featured the hit single “So Sick,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Beyond his solo work, Ne-Yo is also renowned for his songwriting skills, having written hits for numerous artists, including Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Céline Dion.
Today, Ne-Yo continues to produce soulful music and explore new creative avenues and remains a significant figure in the entertainment industry.
10. Jason Derulo
Catchy hooks and dance-pop anthems in hits like “Talk Dirty” and “Want to Want Me” are Jason Derulo’s signature. This style also emulates Justin Timberlake’s energetic tracks. Both artists have a global appeal, blending pop, R&B, and dance elements effortlessly.
Derulo’s musical career took off in 2009 with his debut single, “Whatcha Say.” The song was a success, climbing to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Like some of the singers on this list, Derulo has also ventured into acting. He had roles in films such as Cats, Spinning Gold, and the TV series Empire.
Derulo continues to be a significant figure in music. On social media, particularly on Instagram, where he regularly shares photos and videos of his life and work, he has over 25M followers.
11. Nick Jonas
As one of the three Jonas Brothers, Nick Jonas mirrors Justin Timberlake’s transition from boy band sensation to mature solo artist. Both also infuse their pop music with R&B influences.
In 2013, the Jonas Brothers decided to embark on solo careers, and Nick released his second solo album, Nick Jonas, which showcased a more mature sound and included the hits “Jealous” and “Chains.”
Beyond his music, Nick has also built a successful acting career. He has appeared in TV shows like Scream Queens and Kingdom and movies such as Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and its sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level.
12. Zayn Malik
The boy band One Direction spawned another solo artist, Zayn Malik, who exhibits traces of Justin Timberlake’s evolution from NSYNC. Malik’s time with One Direction shaped his early musical experiences and helped him gain fame in the industry.
In 2015, Malik made the decision to leave the band for a solo career. This move allowed him to explore his own artistic identity away from the constraints of the group.
His debut album, Mind of Mine, featuring the hit single “Pillowtalk,” marked a departure from his boy band roots and established him as a formidable artist in his own right.
Recently, Malik has teased followers with a single, “Love Like This,” from his upcoming fourth studio album, exciting fans worldwide who have been eagerly awaiting fresh content from the artist.
13. Shawn Mendes
We close this list with Shawn Mendes, a young Canadian musician who has become a household name, and like Justin Timberlake, he’s established his career at a young age.
Mendes first gained a following in 2013 when he began posting song covers on the video-sharing platform Vine. Since then, he has released numerous hits, including “Treat You Better,” “Stitches,” “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back,” and “Mercy,” a collaboration with Justin Bieber.
Mendes has also collaborated with various artists. Notable among these is his work with Camila Cabello for her award-winning song “Señorita,” which not only topped charts worldwide but also solidified Mendes’ reputation as a versatile artist capable of crossing genres and musical styles.
Summing Up Our List Of Artists Like Justin Timberlake
As you have read, Justin Timberlake’s influence is undeniable in the turbulent landscape of contemporary music.
With R&B-influenced pop music, all these singers have carved a unique space for themselves in the music industry and given us many enjoyable sonic experiences.
This list, however, is far from complete. Share with us singers echoing Timberlake’s style who we might missed so we can add them here!
