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Personal Playlist: Justin Timberlake

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The performer might be concentrating more on his acting career than singing right now, but he’s still plugged into music — N.E.R.D and Kings of Leon are current favorites.

Just because Justin Timberlake is on indefinite hiatus from recording and performing music (in order to focus on stardom in such movies as “The Social Network” and the upcoming romantic comedy “Friends With Benefits” and the sci-fi thriller “Now”), don’t assume he’s unplugged his stereo for the duration too.

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The former ‘N Sync heartthrob and erstwhile Mr. SexyBack stays keenly aware of modern pop, even if he isn’t making any. And these days, Timberlake feels particularly moved by the 2010 album “Nothing” from N.E.R.D. — the hip-hop/rock-funk side project of the hit-making duo Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who produced much of the singer’s 2002 album, “Justified.”

Timberlake warmed to the subject when Pop & Hiss asked him what’s in heavy rotation on his iPod:
“‘Come Around Sundown’ is really good — the latest Kings of Leon,” Timberlake said.

“I really feel inspired by what Pharrell and Chad did with the new N.E.R.D. album,” he continued. “Those producers care a lot about sonics. I hear the Doors and Queen a lot on that album. Pharrell has a way of being cryptic with his lyrics, though, so I’m still trying to decipher what he’s talking about.”

-- Chris Lee

Related:

- Justin Timberlake is focused on film

Photo: Ricardo DeArata / Los Angeles Times

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