Like everyone else out there, we check out Playboy just for the articles. So we were pretty excited when we sat down to check out the fairly lengthy interview with Justin Timberlake. The multi-talented dancer/singer/actor opened up about his life and career and a) dealt a blow to drug enforcement efforts everywhere after b) crushing the hearts of music fans.

First, we got additional that JT probably isn't going to be making a record anytime soon–something he already hinted at in his recent interview with Vanity Fair. And we learned why–he hasn't stopped doing music; he's started doing something else.

Let me put it this way: My favorite thing in the world was to make people sing–until I made people laugh. Then that became my favorite thing in the world. SNL gave me a place to do that, and all my experiences there have been tremendous. I think it made people notice me in a different way. When you have a sketch that catches fire or goes viral, people go, “Okay, I can see him doing other things besides music.”…Music is not my focus right now. It may be someday. It could happen next month or next year, but right now it's not where it's at for me.

Also, in case you had any doubts, the music industry can really suck the life out of a performer or artist. The changing nature of the business means that artists have to perform, perform, and perform some more rather than just relying on album sales:

Unfortunately, the business of music is what taints an artist's desire to make music. I don't want to paint a picture of being jaded, because I love making music. I honestly love it. But there is a level where making music becomes a total life-sucking commitment. For instance, to do an album and a tour, you have to be absolutely certain that whatever you have to say is from the heart, because you're going to say it a thousand times–and on nights when you don't feel like performing. You need to feel inspiration to get to a level where you're performing like that. But I haven't felt that level of conviction the past few years. And without that conviction it's crazy to put yourself out there.

But how does he deal with the crazy? By smoking a little weed, that's how!

PLAYBOY: You've talked openly about using drugs, smoking marijuana. Are you still a pot smoker?

TIMBERLAKE: Absolutely.

PLAYBOY: Is it a creativity booster? I read you were stoned for much of the time you made Justified.

TIMBERLAKE: The only thing pot does for me is it gets me to stop thinking. Sometimes I have a brain that needs to be turned off. Some people are just better high.

Celebrities! They're just like us!

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