Justin Timberlake Reveals His Son Helped Don Toliver Clear "Body" Sample

Sometimes the best music advice comes from someone too young to drive. When Don Toliver wanted to sample Justin Timberlake's "Rock Your Body" for his hit "Body," the former *NSYNC singer didn't need much convincing. In fact, his 11-year-old son Silas had already made it clear that the Houston rapper had his family's stamp of approval.

Timberlake discussed the sample during his appearance on Complex's Re-Rank, where he joined Jordan Rose to revisit some of his biggest records. Asked whether he would let Toliver incorporate his 2002 single into "Body," he described the decision as easy. "As soon as I heard it, I was like, yeah, of course," Timberlake recalled. His son was another factor in the decision, explaining that Toliver is one of Silas' favorite artists. When Timberlake asked for his opinion, the youngster encouraged him, saying, "You gotta do it."

"That was an easy decision," Timberlake added, expressing his appreciation for Toliver's album, OCTANE.

The connection was already personal for Toliver. During a March conversation with Billboard at SXSW, he revealed that his mother frequently played Timberlake's music throughout his childhood. He also named Justified, which features "Rock Your Body," as one of his favorite albums. Toliver explained that he didn't immediately process the significance of sampling a record he'd grown up loving. Once he spent more time with the finished song, the connection became even more meaningful.

Their relationship eventually moved beyond the sample clearance. On Aug. 22, Timberlake surprised fans during Toliver's concert at Miami's Kaseya Center, joining him for performances of "Rock Your Body" and "Body." The appearance wasn't initially part of Timberlake's plans. According to the singer, he attended the show to determine whether it would be appropriate for Silas. However, Toliver's management approached him about joining the performance. He ultimately agreed, and the two artists shared the stage.

What happened afterward could prove even more interesting. Timberlake revealed that he approached Toliver about making music together before either of them left the venue. The pair ended up spending several hours working on new ideas inside a studio set up at the arena. Although Timberlake didn't identify any finished songs or announce a release, he confirmed that their impromptu session produced material worth exploring. He also mentioned that he'd been working on music while staying in Miami.