Watch Justin Timberlake and Tobe Nwigwe Debut Fiery New Song "Sanctified" on SNL

It's official: Justin Timberlake is back. 

Though the performer and five-time Saturday Night Live Host bristled at the word "comeback" when he popped up during Dakota Johnson's SNL monologue on January 27, it has been six years since his last solo release (2018's Man of the Woods). And while Timberlake's kept plenty busy since then—you might've heard of a little film franchise called Trolls, for example—he's had a huge January, capping off the month as SNL's musical guest performing "Sanctified" and "Selfish" off his forthcoming Everything I Thought It Was album. 

Timberlake's choice to make "Sanctified" his first SNL performance of the night was a bit of a surprise, given that he released R&B bop "Selfish" as his lead single on January 25. Backed by a tight band and three talented backup singers, Timberlake shook the Studio 8H stage with the gospel-inflected track, performed in a wood-paneled box set that could barely contain the ensemble's energy. And that was before Tobe Nwigwe ushered in a troupe of dancers for his feature.

Watch Justin Timberlake sing "Sanctified" live on SNL above.

RELATED: Justin Timberlake & Jimmy Fallon's Harmonies on Their New Music Collab Are Amazing

Musical guest Justin Timberlake, accompanied by Tobe Nwigwe, performs “Sanctified” on Saturday Night Live Episode 1854, Saturday, January 27, 2024. Photo: Will Heath/NBC

Who sang with Justin Timberlake on SNL?

Tobe Nwigwe.

Nwigwe is a singer, rapper, and actor from Houston, Texas. First gaining fame on social media platforms including YouTube, Nwigwe also portrays Nick on Netflix series Mo starring comedian Mo Amer. As a visit to Nwigwe's Instagram page makes clear, the "Sanctified" rapper favors the color mint green, and he and the backup dancers behind him were swathed in the hue during the SNL performance. 

RELATED: Watch Dakota Johnson's SNL Sketches and Monologue Featuring Justin Timberlake

The lyrics to "Sanctified" by Justin Timberlake 

Below, the lyrics to Justin Timberlake's "Sanctified," from the album Everything I Thought It Was due March 15, 2024.

You know I'm an animal (animal)
I belong in the wild, wild, wild
When I get out of control
Ain't no bringin' me down, down, down

You know I go crazy
I go off the wall, no MJ, but I'm walkin' on moons
It's amazin', baby
I know you're a good one (good one)
Closest thing to a saint
So I come alive
Every (time) we interchange
Yeah, don't condemn me
I get down on my knees and confess to your temple
You take me and serve me mercy

[Chorus]
Somethin' about
How we break all of the rules
Make a sinner feel so blessed
You take all of my wrongs
Move right along, take mе and fix my mess
Get me up whеn I'm low, hand on my soul
Like you see right inside
I come out a new man
No blood on my hands
(Sing) Sanctified

Rid me of my sins
Take and forgive them
Make me a new man
And I'm sanctified
Sanctified
Rid me of my sins
Take and forgive them
Can I get a witness?
Sanctified
Sanctified

I gotta come to you (only you) when I wanna repent
Surrender my all right at your throne and do it again
Yeah, you crucify me
Burn me up until there's nothin' left inside me
Right hand to your every word
My religion my love
Baptized in your ocean
Willin' and open, never enough
You never judge me
You just take your halo
Put it right above me

[Chorus]
And there's somethin' about
How we break all of the rules
Make a sinner feel so blessed
You take all of my wrongs
Move right along, take me and fix my mess
Get me up when I'm low, hand on my soul
Like you see right inside
I come out a new man
No blood on my hands
(Sing it) Sanctified
Rid me of my sins
Take and forgive them
Can I get a witness?
Sanctified
Sanctified