Timerlake's 2013

1. 2013 has to have been the year of Justin Timberlake. The man was everywhere, touring, performing, doing multiple SNL appearances as usual, but it all centered around the 20/20 Experience. After being preceded by a massive promo campaign and being touted as "Justin Timberlake's Big Return" 20/20 went on to perform reasonably well in the charts. It debuted atop the Billboard 200 and sold 968,000 copies in its first week - better than both of Justin's previous efforts, Justified and Future Sex/Love Sounds.

Justin Timberlake, American Music Awards
And of course there was Justin's whole "release two albums in one year" trick.

But this isn't why he makes our list. After a successful album release, Timberlake couldn't just stay put and revel in the glory, he had to go and release a whole new album, in the same year, with the leftover songs from 20/20. On September 27, Justin dropped The 20/20 Experience - 2 of 2. It got mixed reviews from critics, but still topped the billboard 200, sold 350,000 copies in its first week and to date has sold more than 650,000 in the US. Together with the original 20/20, that brings Timberlake's 2013 total to over 3 million albums sold in the US alone. Clearly, the man knows a thing or two about promotion.

Justin Timberlake, iTunes Festival
It worked, of course.

Now that 2013 is almost wrapped up, all that remains is to see how Beyonce's album does. In any case, by dropping the bomb like that, Bey has cemented her place as one of 2013' most memorable acts. There's a lot to celebrate in the Carter household this holiday season.