Super-producer Timbaland has stamped his indelible imprint on the music scene since the mid-1990s. His production has helped create career-defining hits for artists such as Jodeci, Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Missy Elliott, Destiny's Child, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z, among many others. Respected beyond the genres of urban and hip hop music, Timbaland, whose musical influences cross cultural lines, has also been sought by diverse superstars whose music similarly knows no boundaries, from pop star Justin Timberlake to avant-singer Bjork. Released March 27, 2007 is his second solo album, Timbaland Presents Shock Value (Blackground/Interscope/Mosley Music Group). That disc follows his producing of the majority of the tracks, including the #1 "SexyBack," on Timberlake's #1 charting, multiplatinum FutureSex/LoveSounds, which followed their work together on Timberlake's previous smash, Justified.
Born Timothy Z. Mosley in Norfolk, Virginia on March 10, 1972, Timbaland, so named by Jodeci member Devante Swing after the Timberland boot, has had many reincarnations--from disc jockey DJ Tiny Tim to half of the hip hop group Timbaland & Magoo; from membership in Devante Swing's Swing Mob crew known as Da Bassment to S.B.I. (Surrounded By Idiots), a production ensemble including Pharrell Williams, to being CEO of his own label, Mosley Music Group.
Ginuwine's hit single "Pony" and debut LP Ginuwine the Bachelor, produced by Timbaland, introduced a unique rhythmic style that defined the new wave of music in the '90s--R&B and hip hop mixed with an eclectic smorgasbord of effects held together by complex syncopated snare beats. At the same time, his partnership with high school friend Missy Elliott blossomed into a pairing that delivered Aaliyah's double platinum One In A Million and they became one of music's most successful production/songwriting teams. Naturally, Elliott looked to Timbaland to also define her as an artist and their work together, tracks such as "The Rain," propelled Elliott to major stardom and critical acclaim.
Timbaland's trademark sound has spawned numerous imitators yet he has always remained the acknowledged originator. Not surprisingly given his talents, he started a new label in partnership with Interscope even as he delivered another three albums for Elliott, including 2005's The Cookbook. He also launched Tweet, who debuted with Southern Hummingbird, and produced Lil' Kim's "The Jump Off." The Game relied on Tim for "Steer" and "Put You On The Game."
Along the way he built an impressive 5,000 square foot studio in Virginia Beach where he does most of his production, and he regularly travels between that location, his Miami residence and the West Coast. In 2006 he founded a new label, again at Interscope, appropriately called Mosely Music Group (MMG). Open to all types of artists, MMG debuted with a bang: Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous" features Timbaland, which hit #1, as did her album, Loose.
Timbaland's genre breaking has changed popular music today, and he takes pride in his success at staying ahead of the curve with his originality and experimentation. Confident and charismatic, his goal is still to blow the listener's mind and make them move to the beat. On the personal side, this artist/producer is an avid bodybuilder committed to a strict diet and training regimen, and as serious about working out as he is about his time in the studio.
"You can accomplish anything you put your mind to if you stay persistent and disciplined," explains the driven and dedicated Timbaland, an innovator of sound who continues to set popular tastes while adventurously expanding his musical palette.
Timbaland Discography
Timbaland & Magoo - Welcome to Our World (1997) - Blackground
Timbaland - Tim's Bio (1998) - Blackground Enterprises
Timbaland & Magoo - Indecent Proposal (2001) - Blackground
Timbaland & Magoo - Under Construction Pt. II (2003) - Universal
Selected Timbaland Production Credits
Swing Mob affiliated
1996: "Pony" by Ginuwine (recorded in 1993)
1996: "If Your Girl Only Knew" by Aaliyah
1996: "One in a Million" by Aaliyah
1997: "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
1997: "When Doves Cry" by Ginuwine
1997: "Sock It 2 Me" by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott (featuring. Da Brat)
1998: "Same Ol' G" by Ginuwine
1998: "Are You That Somebody?" by Aaliyah (featuring Timbaland)
1999: "She's a Bitch" by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
1999: "Hot Boyz" by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott (featuring Nas, Eve, Q-Tip, & Lil' Mo)
1999: "So Anxious" by Ginuwine
2000: "Try Again" by Aaliyah
2000: "Bangin' (Don't Lie)" by Nicole Wray (featuring Prodigy of Mobb Deep)
2001: "Ugly" by Bubba Sparxxx
2001: "Lovely" by Bubba Sparxxx
2001: "Get Ur Freak On" by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
2001: "One Minute Man" by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott (featuring Ludacris, Trina, and Jay-Z)
2001: "We Need a Resolution" by Aaliyah featuring Timbaland
2002: "More Than a Woman" by Aaliyah
2002: "Oops (Oh My)" by Tweet (featuring Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott)
2002: "Call Me" by Tweet
2002: "Work It" by Missy Elliott
2002: "Back in the Day" by Missy Elliott (featuring Jay-Z and Tweet)
2002: "Ching Ching" by Ms. Jade
2003: "Gossip Folks" by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
2003: "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" by Aaliyah
2003: "Pass That Dutch" by Missy Elliott
2003: "I'm Really Hot" by Missy Elliott
Outside performers
1999: "Jigga What, Jigga Who" by Jay-Z (featuring Amil and Big Jaz)
1999: "Word Up!" by Melanie B
1999: "Big Pimpin'" by Jay-Z
2000: "Hey Papi" by Jay-Z (featuring Memphis Bleek)
2000: "You Owe Me" by Nas (featuring Ginuwine)
2000: "Snoop Dogg" by Snoop Dogg
2001: "Diamond Dogs" by Beck
2001: "Raise Up" by Petey Pablo
2001: "Rollout (My Business)" by Ludacris
2001: "Turn off the Lights (Remix)" by Nelly Furtado
2002: "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake (co-produced by Scott Storch)
2003: "Dirt off Your Shoulder" by Jay-Z
2003: "The Jump Off" by Lil Kim
2004: "Ryde or Die, Bitch" by The Lox
2004: "Who Is She 2 U" by Brandy
2004: "Afrodisiac" by Brandy
2004: "Headsprung" by LL Cool J
2004: "I'm So Fly" by Lloyd Banks
2004: "Potion" by Ludacris
2004: "Hey Now" by Xzibit
2005: "Put You On The Game" by The Game
2006: "Maneater" by Nelly Furtado
2006: "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado
2006: "Wait A Minute" by The Pussycat Dolls
2006: "Maneater" by Nelly Furtado
2006: "All Good Things (Come to an End)" by Nelly Furtado
2006: "Say It Right" by Nelly Furtado
2006: "SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake
2006: "My Love" by Justin Timberlake featuring T.I.
2006: "Ice Box" by Omarion
2006: "What Goes Around..." by Justin Timberlake
2007: "Give It To Me" by Nelly Furtado, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake
Singles from Timbaland albums
1997: "Beep Me 911" (Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott featuring 702 and Magoo)
1997: "Up Jumps Da' Boogie" (featuring Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott and Aaliyah)
1998: "Luv 2 Luv U [Remix]" (featuring Shaunta and Playa)
1998: "Clock Strikes [Remix]" (featuring Mad Skillz)
1998: "Here We Come" (featuring Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott and Darryl Pearson)
2001: "Drop" (featuring Fatman Scoop)
2001: "All Y'all" (featuring Tweet and Sebastian)
2003: "Indian Flute" (featuring Sebastian and Raje Shwari)
