JC Chasez at the premiere of "Michael Jackson's This Is It"
Photo: MTV News

As celebrities and friends made their way from the world premiere of "Michael Jackson's This Is It" at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles to the afterparty, former 'NSYNC member JC Chasez paused to share his glowing review of the film.

"You know what? It was better than I expected, actually," the "America's Best Dance Crew" judge told MTV News. "I didn't know what to expect, but it was so tastefully done. It showed such a human element to Michael Jackson."

Chasez, who got to work with Jackson twice, felt that the film shed light on everybody's preconceived perceptions about the late King of Pop. "Everybody's so used to seeing him just being this finished product," he said. "Or this kind of quirky, weird kind of thing. He really came across as a human being."

"This Is It" also showed Chasez a side of the superstar that not even he got the chance to know during the times he was with him. "I thought it was really good. It was awesome to see him interact with people. It was also amazing to watch him run the show, and he runs a tight ship."

The documentary shows that Jackson really was a man in charge, Chasez observed. "You don't think of him as being a boss, and he's a boss," he recalled about the film. "It was kind of like, 'We're gonna do this with love. L-O-V-E. But we have to get it done.' "

Check out everything we've got on "Michael Jackson's This Is It."

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• 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premieres In Los Angeles

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JC Chasez at the "Michael Jackson's This Is It" premiere on Tuesday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

JC Chasez can count himself among an exclusive group of performers who have shared the stage with Michael Jackson. The "America's Best Dance Crew" judge recalled working with the King of Pop at the premiere of "Michael Jackson's This Is It" on Tuesday (October 27) at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Chasez, along with fellow 'NSYNC members Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick, took the stage twice with Jackson in 2001. Their first meeting came at the MTV Video Music Awards, while performing the band's song "Dirty Pop." Near the end of the number, Jackson emerged from behind the stage for a surprise cameo to the delight of the audience.

"It was amazing," Chasez told MTV News. "The rehearsal was kind of the most bizarre part, and all of a sudden, he starts dancing and everybody forgot to dance. It was one of those moments where you were always watching him."

Later that year, for the "Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special," the ensemble duetted with the reunited Jackson 5 on "Dancing Machine."

Now, as a judge on "ABDC," Chasez sees the impact Jackson continues to have on the next generation of performers.

"Obviously, we had a whole show dedicated to Michael, and we also did a show that was all about Janet as well, and the Jackson impact — you're talking about what Bach is to classical music. That's what Jackson is to pop."

Check out everything we've got on "Michael Jackson's This Is It."

• 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premiere Special
• 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Rehearsal Clips

• 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premieres In Los Angeles

• JC Chasez
• Michael Jackson

JC Chasez
Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/ Getty Images

Next week the Backstreet Boys are releasing their new album, leading many fans of the '90s boy-band era to feel a bit nostalgic. And who could forget the epic battle that went on between Backstreet fans and 'NSYNC fans?

Given that Backstreet fans still get their fix of new music from the group every few years, will 'NSYNC fans ever get a chance to hear some new music from the group? JC Chasez very bluntly told MTV News that it will never happen.

"Nope," he said emphatically about any reunion tours or albums in the band's future. "I keep in touch with all of them. [We don't want to do it] because we already did that and it was fun, but we're done with it."

Chasez, who now spends his time as a judge on "America's Best Dance Crew," may not see an 'NSYNC reunion in the cards, but he did reveal, using his judging powers, who in the band had the slickest moves on the dance floor.

"I would say that was a toss-up between Justin and I. We just had very different styles," he said. "Justin was very fluid and more the crooner, and I was more high-energy and power."

Chasez also said that there was no competition among the bandmembers to try to out-dance each other, which means that, unfortunately, there were no backstage dance-offs. "No, no. We had fun. We would hang out and make stuff up," he said. "We always encouraged each other to be better. It was never competitive. If he does better, we all did better. If I did better, we all did better."

• JC Chasez
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Michael Jackson
Photo: Ebet Roberts/ Getty Images

Entertainment and sports stars came together to remember Michael Jackson on the MTV News special "A Celebration of Michael Jackson on MTV" on Friday (June 26). The special — including several Video Music Awards performances as well as candid moments he spent on the network — brought together Kobe Bryant, Liza Minnelli and Usher, among others, to pay tribute to the departed pop icon.

"I think it's probably deeper than people would expect, actually," Kobe Bryant said. "Being out here in L.A., I had numerous conversations, just over the phone and also at his house, just talking about work ethic and paying attention to details. He was extremely inspirational for me because he helped me understand that it's OK to be different. And when I say different I mean different in the sense of being obsessed with your craft ... and working your tail off and being consumed by what you do. He helped mentor me in that department. I think we lost an absolutely brilliant, brilliant mind and just a genuine nice person."

Fabolous, who has sampled Jackson's music in his songs, said he learned a lot from watching Jackson as a kid. "I was just very disappointed the whole day ... I grew up on Michael Jackson," he said. "One of my first albums my mom bought me was Thriller, so just to see him pass was like a big loss to me and everyone who grew up around me."

JC Chasez, who performed with Jackson along with 'NSYNC at the 2001 VMAs, described the show as "a childhood dream come true." "It was kind of like my life had come full-circle at that point. First you dream about being able to dance like him and the next thing you know you're standing next to him while you're dancing. As a professional, you want to reach the top of your game. Then you find yourself on the MTV awards and you share that moment with him. He's a language. He's a piece of vernacular when you talk about dancing, singing ... entertainment."

Sheryl Crow toured with Jackson for two years in the late '80s, and she was one of the people lucky enough to get to know the personal side of Jackson. "I did a couple of duets with him. He reached out to me on a couple of occasions and invited me to come up to his hotel room to watch movies," she recalled. "A big room with a couple of bodyguards and us throwing popcorn across the room at each other. He was just very childlike and loved to practical joke ... very childlike and innocent and then he'd walk out onstage and you'd see this magnetic, very strong artistic talent up there."

Teddy Riley, who worked with Jackson on both "Dangerous" and "Remember the Time," is still reeling from the loss, but feels honored to have had a chance to work with the King of Pop. "Such a huge impact he had. A lot of the major people out there, they've grown up to Michael Jackson., and I've grown up to Michael Jackson, and it's been a dream to work with him ... he made my dreams come true. It's a big impact and I think everyone out there is going to miss him," he said.

Liza Minnelli, who called in to the show along with Usher, remembered the days they'd spend together. "We would hang together when we were in New York. We would go to [dancer and choreographer] Martha Graham's. I would take him to Martha Graham and he'd say, 'Oh, I got to learn that,' and we'd run upstairs to practice. Anyway, I loved him."

Usher, who was significantly influenced by Jackson, added, "It's pretty hard right now, man. Michael Jackson transcended culture. He transcended love, man. He changed the barrier of life and the way we looked at things."

One woman who has definitely used some of the Jackson aesthetic in her own career, Ciara, admits that MJ was her biggest inspiration. "He was part of the reason why for me," she said. "Whenever someone asks me who inspires me to do what I do, I always say Michael. That's it for me. He's everything to me. He's really a part of the reason why. He's going to be remembered in so many ways for me. I feel it's important for me to continue to let my generation know how important he was to music."

MTV will be paying tribute to MJ throughout the weekend with music videos, exclusive performances and calls and tweets from celebrity admirers and friends. For everything we've got on the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• A Celebration Of Michael Jackson On MTV
• Remembering Michael Jackson
• Michael Jackson's Video Legacy
• Michael Jackson's MTV Moments

• Michael Jackson's Greatest MTV Moments
• Michael Jackson: A Fashion Icon
• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos

• Michael Jackson
• Usher
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Michael Jackson and Madonna in 1991
Photo: Ron Galella / Getty Images

In the wake of legendary pop star Michael Jackson's death Thursday (June 25), musicians, actors and celebrities — including Jackson's ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley — have began to remember Jackson for all his contributions to pop culture.

"I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family," Presley told MTV News in a statement. "This is such a massive loss on so many levels. Words fail me."

"I can't stop crying over the sad news," Madonna told People. "I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless."

JC Chasez, who performed alongside Jackson with 'NSYNC at the 2001 VMAs, said, "Words can't begin to describe my sadness for the loss of Michael Jackson. I was honored and humbled to have the opportunity to perform with him several times, and he had a profound influence on my career. Michael forever changed the world of music and entertainment, and I will always remember him for his kind and sweet spirit."

"I'm hurt," Lupe Fiasco told MTV News in a statement. "But I'm celebrating his life and his music. Dancing and crying and dancing in public. Holding heart-to-heart conversations with complete strangers about one of the things, if not the only thing, we share in common, That Is The Legendary MoonWalker Himself. A white guy in a pickup truck pulled alongside me on the expressway and shouted to me, had I heard about Mike?!? It's surreal and it's everywhere!!! Every time I feel like getting sad, one of his songs comes on, and I'm just filled with happiness and start singing and smiling. He was the best to ever do it. Salaams, Peace & Blessings. May Allah have mercy on his soul. We Love You MJ!!!"

Other members of the hip-hop community are also reacting to the news. "I am f---ed up right now about this," Wale said. "He WAS the '80s, the '90s. He is arguably the most famous person of the last century, more so than any religious or cultural leaders. He was the originator of music for the world. I always thought I'd meet him one day. ... I'm at a loss of words."

Although he tweeted earlier about the Jackson's death, Pete Wentz also shared with MTV News his feeling of loss. "There will never be another. He was the royalty of American culture. I could measure the growth of my life based on him. I have never felt such public grief for someone I have never met. A legend. I practiced his moves in the mirror. ... We lost the last legendary entertainer of my generation. I feel lost without his presence. Sorry if this is kind of jumbled and emotional. I don't even know what to say."

Don't miss "A Celebration of Michael Jackson on MTV," airing at 6 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• Remembering Michael Jackson
• Michael Jackson's Video Legacy
• Michael Jackson: A Tribute

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• Fans Mourn The Loss Of Music Icon Michael Jackson

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R. Kelly
Photo: Jive

R. Kelly's next court date is set for September 28. On that day, a hearing on a pending motion in relation to expert witnesses will be held. No date has been scheduled for the R&B singer's child-molestation trial. ...

Justin Timberlake has added a Creative Arts Emmy to that "Box" — the singer and "Saturday Night Live" actor Andy Samberg took home the award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for "Di-- in a Box," the pair's wildly popular song about surprise packages, on Saturday. Timberlake wasn't at the ceremony to accept the award, but Samberg told People, "We'll definitely give him a call and let him know." ...

In other Emmy news, "American Idol" dodged the dubious distinction of becoming the most-nominated program to never receive an Emmy thanks to a win Saturday at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. The show bagged its first Emmy — after being blanked 22 times over its six-year run — for outstanding technical direction for its April "Idol Gives Back" benefit show, which was also given an honorary Governors Award. ...

Coldplay have revealed some information about their upcoming fourth studio album in a note on their Web site, using sports metaphors to describe the process of picking the tunes. "Expect a short, concise record with no fat and at least two top-division songs released independently," the handwritten note explained. "[Our] feeling is that the album should be made up of the nine best records. If that means eight thrash-metal tracks and one ballad, then so be it." Among the songs being considered for inclusion are: "Lost!," "Cemeteries of London," "Violet Hill," "Poppy Fields," "42," "Yes!" and "Leftrightleftrightleft." According to the note, after a month off, the group is a few months from finishing recording in Barcelona, Spain, for an album it expects to be no longer than 42 minutes. ...

Former 'NSYNC crooner JC Chasez is a free agent. Months after his single "Until Yesterday" was released and his second solo album failed to materialize, Chasez has parted ways with Jive, according to his longtime label. He told EW.com the decision was mutual and that he wanted to "wipe the slate clean and then take on as many suggestions and ideas [as possible]." In an even more startling development, the singer said he recently wrote a song called "Treat Me Right" for the new album from his former nemeses, the Backstreet Boys. ...

Socially conscious rapper Mos Def is coming to the defense of the Jena Six, a group of black students charged with attempted murder for allegedly beating up a white student who was using racial epithets toward them. The charges could result in sentences of 20 to 100 years in prison, a prospect civil-rights advocates have decried as harsh. The rapper is asking black people of influence to join him in Jena, Louisiana, on September 20 for a rally showing support for the students. ...

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler has put a gag order on Phil Spector and his wife, Rachelle Spector, The Los Angeles Times reports. The music producer was quoted in a British paper criticizing the judge and jury in his murder trial, while she gave an interview last week. Fidler issued final legal instructions to the jurors Monday morning (September 10), after which they were sent out of the courtroom to begin deliberations. ...

Now that Radiohead have thrown together their new album, guitarist Jonny Greenwood is taking on another project: writing the score for "Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia" director Paul Thomas Anderson's next flick, "There Will Be Blood," which is due December 26. ... Frank Black has put together an October West Coast tour, but expect to see his Black Francis alter ego in the club listings. He'll be boosting his recently released Bluefinger disc starting with a two-night stand in Portland, Oregon, on October 1-2, after which he'll play 10 more North American dates — doubling and tripling up at some venues along the way — and bring the tour to a close in Los Angeles on October 15-16. ... Canadian indie-rockers the Stills just signed to Arts & Crafts, where they're sidling up to Broken Social Scene, Feist, Stars and other like-minded acts. The band's third, yet-untitled effort is due in the spring.

09.07.2007

Nas joined forces with John Mayer, Phil Vassar and the Dave Mathews Band on Thursday night to bring "A Concert for Virginia Tech" to the college's Blacksburg campus. According to The Richmond Times-Dispatch, the rapper cheekily dedicated the last song of his set, "Hate Me Now," to TV pundit Bill O'Reilly, who had previously said it was an "abomination" and "atrocity" that Nas was going to perform at the free concert. "For those who don't understand what Nas is about, like that chump Bill O'Reilly, I got a song for you," he said before breaking into the tune. More than 45,000 people reportedly attended the concert. ...

Paris Hilton is suing Hallmark for a half-million dollars for using her photo and "That's hot!" catchphrase on one of its cards, Agence-France Presse reports. The heiress filed a lawsuit against the company on Thursday in Los Angeles, accusing Hallmark of misappropriating her image and invading her privacy by putting the card on sale earlier this year. It features Hilton's face superimposed on a cartoon body, along with the message, "First day as a waitress." ...

Led Zeppelin fans are holding their collective breath once again amid reports that a press conference pertaining to the band will take place in London on Wednesday, according to Billboard.com. The development comes shortly after "11.13.07" mysteriously appeared along with the band's commonly used symbols on LedZeppelin.com. The news outlet reported in July that the band might reassemble for a potential tribute to Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, who died last year. According to Billboard.com, the band was spotted touring London's O2 arena during Prince's 10-night stand at the venue. However, standing offers have been on the table for a Zep tour for decades, and November 13 is also the release date of the group's upcoming greatest-hits compilation, Mothership. ...

Nick Bollea, who is being investigated for a crash last week that left his friend critically injured, was warned and ticketed by police last year for driving at high speeds on a Florida highway, according to an interview he gave Rides magazine before the crash. Authorities told AP that Bollea, the son of Hulk Hogan, was stopped twice on September 17, 2006 — he was first warned for going 100 mph in a 70-mph zone, then pulled over a second time for driving 115 mph. He received a $305.50 ticket for the latter offense. Bollea's passenger, John Graziano, remains in critical condition at a Florida hospital. ... Phil Spector lawyer Linda Kenney-Baden finished her closing statement on Friday, urging jurors not to become "vigilantes" and find the music producer innocent in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. "We don't convict people in this country because we don't like them, because we don't like their hair or their clothes," she said. "Your job is not to make good copy or good ratings. Your job is to find the truth." The case will be turned over to the jurors after a planned rebuttal by the prosecution. ...

Joss Stone is helping launch the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network, a Hip-Hop Summit Action Network program that is setting out to deal with the portrayal of women of color in entertainment — specifically hip-hop. Baby Phat designer Kimora Lee Simmons will act as the national spokeswoman for WEEN, which will be formally christened with a pink-carpet event September 19 at Bo Concept, a furniture in Manhattan, New York. ... The Spice Girls reunion tour will be directed by Christina Aguilera and Madonna collaborator Jamie King. "Everyone has the same vision for this show," the group's manger, Simon Fuller, said in a press statement. "It will be a roller coaster of fun reflecting all the things that made the Spice Girls such a huge global pop group." ...

Radiohead have put the finishing touches on their next album, guitarist Jonny Greenwood told Paste magazine. The band, which fulfilled its six-album EMI contract with 2003's Hail to the Thief, is currently unsigned. "We're very relieved to have finished recording, now we have to decide what we should do with it," he said. ... Tobey Maguire is shifting from a movie adaptation of a comic book to ... a movie adaptation of an anime series. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he will produce the sci-fi classic "Robotech" — and might even play a lead role in the flick. "We are very excited to bring 'Robotech' to the big screen," he said. "There is a rich mythology that will be a great foundation for a sophisticated, smart and entertaining film." ...

By now, you've likely heard the acoustic cover of Rihanna's "Umbrella" by Internet phenomenon Marié Digby, whose unique style won her a contract with Hollywood Records. More than 2.3 million people have checked out the 24-year-old's unplugged take on the jam of the summer. But, according to The Wall Street Journal, the alleged viral-video discovery was actually signed to Hollywood 18 months before becoming an online phenom. The article also claims Hollywood helped devise her Internet strategy and distributed a high-quality studio recording of "Umbrella" to radio stations and iTunes as a way to build hype for Digby's upcoming major-label debut. ...

Apparently, the Magic Kingdom has hung a "Machine Head Not Welcome" sign up at the gates. According to a spokesperson for the group, Walt Disney Properties pressured Live Nation to cancel the metal band's show at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California, on Friday (which was to take place on Disneyland property) citing, according to a press release from the band's publicist, violent imagery, undesirable fans and inflammatory lyrics. In an e-mail, the group said it got less than 48 hours' notice of the scotched gig, which was to be the kickoff of their Black Tyranny tour with Arch Enemy, Throwdown and Sanctity. Live Nation rescheduled the tour kickoff for the Glass House in nearby Pomona. A Disney spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

• R. Kelly
• Justin Timberlake
• Coldplay
• JC Chasez
• Mos Def

JC Chasez
Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images

JC Chasez candidly describes his new single as being "about your girlfriend getting knocked up by another man."

So just what inspired him and the song's producer, Justin Timberlake, to write "Until Yesterday" (see "JC Chasez Works With Justin On Adultery Track, OK Go On Dance Moves")?

"It's not autobiographical," Chasez promptly noted. "We just wanted to push the limits. It just seems like everybody has heard a breakup song a hundred times or a thousand times. And they've heard, 'I don't like you anymore' a thousand times, or 'You make me sick, you used me, blah blah blah.' So we thought we'd pepper it with some drama and it made it an interesting song."

Although JC and Justin have remained close friends since the unofficial end of 'NSYNC, this marks their first time collaborating since both went solo.

"We were just hanging out one night and he was like, 'Why don't we do a tune together?' " Chasez recalled. "And I was like, 'Sure, man, why not?' And it literally was that easy. And that's actually the second song we wrote. The first song we wrote was called 'God Bless America,' which is a really cool record, and then we did ['Until Yesterday'] and there was just so much magic in it. Between the drama in the story and the music itself, it just kind of stood out from the rest of the stuff we've been hearing lately."

Chasez and Timberlake have since made one more track together, another relationship exposé called "It's Over Before It Began." "We just wanted to find interesting perspectives, and that is what I do with my songwriting — make sure the story is there," Chasez said. "And you know Justin has got more groove than just about anybody out there, so there is a great combination when the two of us get together in the studio."

Timbaland (Justin's producer of choice) also worked with Chasez, as did Dallas Austin, who helmed a good portion of JC's first solo LP, 2003's Schizophrenic. There's no title or exact release date yet for the album, but Chasez said to expect it in February or March.

Meanwhile, "Until Yesterday" is going to radio this month, with a tune called "Satellite" poised to be its potential follow-up. "I have to say I have put together a great record," Chasez said. "That's why I took my time with it, because I wanted to make sure that I came out with the best record that I possibly could."

• JC Chasez
• Justin Timberlake
• *NSYNC
• Dallas Austin

JC Chasez
Photo: MTV News

NEW YORK — Given the subject matter of "Until Yesterday," you'd wonder if JC Chasez took a turn toward country music.

"Well, it's not your average love story, by any means," the 'NSYNC singer said of the first single from his yet-untitled sophomore LP, due in early 2007. He performed the track with one of his best friends, Justin Timberlake, at New York's Roseland Theatre after last week's 2006 MTV Video Music Awards (see "Underdog Night At The VMAs: Panic, Gnarls, Blunt, Chamillionaire Win Big"). "It's actually about your girlfriend getting knocked up with another man's baby. How would you deal with that?"

Not well. But Chasez's music, while perhaps embracing the "cry in your beer" country ethos, won't sound anything like Travis Tritt. Chasez calls the album — which he spent more than a year and a half working on and just finished recording last month — a collection of "intelligent pop" (see "Justin Wows At Post-VMA Club Show; JC Chasez, Three 6 Mafia, Will.I.Am Join In").

"It's a great pop record — one that makes you think," he said of the follow-up to 2004's Schizophrenic. "It's not generic, and it's just a great sounding record too."

Chasez and Timberlake co-wrote and co-produced "Until Yesterday," along with two other cuts that are slated for the final track list: "God Bless America" and "Better With You." The singer also worked with rapper/producer Timbaland on a tune called "Fire"; producer Dallas Austin (Kelis, Gwen Stefani) on "F--- With My Mind"; and Billy Steinberg (who worked with Madonna in writing "Like a Virgin") on "I'm Not Sleeping Alone."

And, of course, Chasez had nothing but glowing reviews for his buddy Justin's upcoming LP, FutureSex/LoveSounds, due Tuesday (see "Justin's Album Shows Off Two Sides: Over-The-Top Saucy, Unassumingly Sweet").

"He has a phenomenal record coming out," Chasez said. "Obviously, he's one of my best friends. But 'SexyBack' is a brand-new sound for him, and it's opened up a lot of minds. The safe route would have been to make another record like the last one, because it was so successful. But I like the fact that he said, 'No. I'm going to be artistic. I am going to change my sound,' because that's what he was inspired to do."

			When Stars Collide! What would happen if you threw Lil Jon, Ludacris, Fall Out Boy, Hulk Hogan and about a zillion other celebs into a blender?

When MTV News talked to Timberlake last month, he said he was excited to be working with his longtime friend.

"He and I have written three or four songs now that I kind of put a producer hat on for, which was an honor, because in my opinion, he had the best voice out of all of us," Timberlake said of his former bandmate (see "Justin Opens Up About Britney, Lance, JC And The Media"). "Out of all the boy bands, call 'em what you will, he was the one that could out-sing all of us. And I've known him since I was 10, so it was fun to sit behind the board and push him."

Chasez said he plans to tour in support of his next album, but at this stage in the game, he's more concerned with finishing the record's final mix — a task that should take up at least much of this week. And who knows? Perhaps when Chasez does hit the road, he could join forces with his new pals OK Go.

"They're actually really cool," the singer said after meeting the band the afternoon before they'd take the stage to re-enact the treadmill tomfoolery of their video "Here It Goes Again" (see "YouTube Faves OK Go: The Band Least Likely To Become Famous For Their Dancing"). The bandmembers consulted with Chasez about potential dance moves they wanted to borrow and throw into the mix. "I am going to go check them out now, and if the music is any good, I will certainly become a fan."

• Snoop, Pharrell, Ciara, Danity Kane, Luda, More Mingle At VMA Forum
• Justin's Post-VMA Performance With T.I., JC, Three 6 Mafia And More

• JC Chasez
• Justin Timberlake
• OK Go

Justin Timberlake and Three 6 Mafia perform at the Roseland Ballroom on Thursday night
Photo: WireImage/ Larry Busacca

NEW YORK — "Did you guys watch the VMAs?" Justin Timberlake asked the crowd at the Roseland Ballroom early Friday morning (September 1). "It was cool. It ain't as hot as this, though."

Of all the post-VMA afterparties and events, JT's club gig just might have been the place to be. After all, the running theme at the awards show was about bringing sexy back — and Justin brought enough to spare, even while wearing a vest, hat and tie.

(Check out photos from Justin's performance at Roseland.)

"We're partying now!" he rallied the audience, which included Diddy with his full entourage, all four Black Eyed Peas and a lost Mario Vazquez, who was trying to find the VIP section. And the celebs weren't only in the crowd — they were also jumping up onstage, helping Timberlake re-create many cuts from his forthcoming FutureSex/LoveSounds album as well as jamming on a few of their own.

After warming up Roseland — also the site of Justin's post-VMA gig three years earlier — with a rock-opera-like version of "Cry Me a River" and a heavier take on "Señorita," he announced that he had handpicked a few new tracks that he "thought New York would like," starting with "Damn Girl." Halfway through the song, Will.I.Am jumped out to rap the middle section, to cheers and applause. Proud of the reception, Justin said, "Nobody does it better than New York, and that's honest, because I'm from the South. I like it Southern."

As if to prove his point, Timberlake's next guest came from the ATL — T.I., like Will.I.Am, came out mid-song, while Justin beatboxed to his raps on a quirky, funky version of "My Love." "I told you that I had some surprises," Timberlake said, as he slid behind the keyboards to play backup to one of T.I.'s own songs.

Playing guitar was next. "Let's see if you can spot this one," he teased as he turned "Like I Love You" into more of a '70s soul song, before reverting to its Justified arrangement and, later, into the riff from Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." "I'm just getting warmed up!" he laughed.

But since the new songs were the order of the night, he promptly reverted back to the FutureSex playlist, with a slow jam of "Until the End of Time" and an extended version of "LoveStoned/ I Think She Knows." While "LoveStoned" started as a club song — with Timberlake inserting the lyric "She's got the New York ass" to get the crowd cheering — it morphed into emo prom night, with the instruments fading out to one guitar strumming and Justin's delivery evolving from cocksure lower registers to yearning falsetto, so much so that one drunken couple cleared part of the floor to dance so tenderly that it seemed like a movie moment.

The spell was broken for a moment when the crowd started shouting so boisterously that Justin said, "I can't hear a f---ing thing you're saying, but I love you, too." But he quickly returned to the romance by playing the bittersweet "What Goes Around Comes Around."

"I've never done this before, but I'm going to do it right now," he then announced, as his former 'NSYNC bandmate JC Chasez walked out onstage. He said they've been working in the studio together were about to share one of the songs-in-progress (see "Justin Opens Up About Britney, Lance, JC And The Media"). "Let's just do it." As Justin played keyboards and then danced, JC sang a song that exhorted, "If you play with fire, you get burned." The two hugged before JC exited the stage.

Next up were DJ Paul and Juicy J from Three 6 Mafia to join Justin on "Chop Me Up" — they rapped, he beatboxed and then Timbaland jumped onstage, teasing the crowd, "You are not loud enough!" As Three 6 Mafia left, Justin and Tim played a bit of Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous," with Nelly's parts represented by a track vocal, though Justin and the girls in the crowd helped flesh it out. As Justin beatboxed the breakdown, they slipped into a little bit of the Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps."

"I think we're done," Timberlake said, as the clock struck 3 a.m.

"Hell, no!" Timbaland contradicted. "This is New York! We can't be done."

And so they continued on — morphing Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams" into a version of "SexyBack" done in a go-go version (a percussive '80s style that centered on Washington, D.C., if anyone remembers E.U.'s #1 hit "Da Butt") that slowed the song down to a sluggish, sleepy level.

Yep, sexy had turned to sleepy, but they'll bring it back another night.

The show might be over but the action isn't! Check out all the backstage, uncensored action right here.

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