Back in 2019 I wrote a post called 6LACK Link-up featuring collaborations that American rapper and singer 6LACK had done with other artists. You can see that here: https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2019/09/6lack-link-up.html
For quite a while I've had the idea to do a similar post about American record producer and rapper Timbaland, so here it is! I've decided to make this a two-parter because it's turning into a long post, lol. :)
Timbaland (real name Timothy Mosley) has had a long career, starting out as a producer in the early 90s. He had previously got into music as a teenager, working with rapper Magoo and the production ensemble S.B.I., alongside his cousin Pharrell Williams*
Timbaland's stage name comes from Timberland boots. Some of his earliest work was on the albums of R'n'B group Jodeci, and rapper (and his friend) Missy Elliott. He worked with Missy's girl group Sista, although the group never got off the ground and Missy went solo. He also worked with the late singer Aaliyah, who he was close to and singer Ginuwine.
Other artists he's produced for/collaborated with include girl groups Total and Destiny's Child, rappers Ludacris and Jay-Z, Icelandic singer Bjork, American singer Tweet, Japanese American singer Utada Hikaru, Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake. He founded his own record label Mosley Music Group (MMG) in 2006.
Timbaland's debut studio album Welcome to Our World, was a joint release with rapper Magoo (real name Melvin Barcliff) under the name Timbaland & Magoo (originally Magoo & Timbaland). It came out in November 1997 and was a success. The duo released two more albums, Indecent Proposal (2001) and Under Construction, Part II. Indecent Proposal was dedicated to Aaliyah, who had sadly died in a plane crash in August that year.
Timbaland's debut solo release was the album Tim's Bio: From The Motion Picture- Life From da Bassment which came out in November 1998. In April 2007 he brought out his second album Shock Value, which spawned several successful singles, including Give it to Me with Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake, and Scream with Keri Hilson and Nicole Scherzinger.
His most recent album is Shock Value II which was released in December 2009. Its singles include Morning After Dark with French singer SoShy and Nelly Furtado, and Carry Out with Justin Timberlake. He has also released two mixtapes- King Stays King (2015) and Drop (2018).
Here are some of his hits. :)
*Update 23/2/24: I just found out that Magoo died last summer. May he rest in peace.
The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly), prod for Missy Elliott
Timbaland produced rapper Missy Elliott's debut studio album Supa Dupa Fly, which came out in July 1997. Timbaland and Missy (real name Melissa) often worked together and became good friends.
The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) was the lead single from the album and was released in May 1997. It contains a sample of I Can't Stand the Rain, the 1973 single by Ann Peebles.
While Timbaland doesn't officially feature on the single, you can hear his vocals on the track and he appears in the music video. The video (the first of Missy's to be directed by Hype Williams) also features appearances from other R'n'B and hip hop stars, such as girl groups Total and 702 and rappers Lil' Kim, Da Brat and P Diddy/Diddy (then Puff Daddy).
Hot Like Fire with Aaliyah and Missy Elliott
Timbaland also produced and featured on Hot Like Fire, the 5th single from Aaliyah's 2nd studio album One in a Million, released in August 1996. Both Timbaland and Missy wrote the song and Missy features on the track too.
Hot Like Fire was released as single in September 1997, along with The One I Gave My Heart To. The single version is different to the album one- while the album version is trip hop, the single is a "lighter" funk one. I prefer the album version but both are good. :)
This is the single version, known as Timbaland's Groove Mix.
And listen to the album version here: https://youtu.be/sgz5G2F-IR8
Also check out Timbaland & Magoo's debut subtle Up Jumps the Boogie (released in July 1997), which features Missy Elliott and Aaliyah: https://youtu.be/bOqzTJw_xr8
Get on the Bus with Destiny's Child
In September 1998 the single Get on the Bus by American girl group Destiny's Child and featuring Timbaland was released. Timbaland and Missy Elliott were co-writers and co-producers on the track.
Destiny's Child was originally a 4-piece but underwent several line-up changes over the years. At the time of Get on the Bus' release it consisted of the original members- Beyonce Knowles (who is now a very successful solo star), Kelly Rowland (who has also done well in her solo career), LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett.
Later both LaTavia and LeToya left and were replaced by Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin. However, Farrah left after a few months and the group continued as a 3-piece, until they disbanded in 2006.
Get on the Bus was from the official soundtrack for the 1998 film Why Do Fools Fall in Love and it did quite well as a single in the UK/mainland Europe (although it wasn't as successful in the US). It was later included as a bonus track on the international edition of Destiny's Child's 2nd album (the one I have), which came out in July 1999.
We Need a Resolution with Aaliyah
In July 2001 Aaliyah (full name Aaliyah Houghton) released her 3rd studio album, titled Aaliyah. It turned out to be her final album, since she tragically died in a plane crash in August, aged just 22.
She and several others who worked with her, were on their way back from shooting the music video for the album's 3rd single Rock the Boat. All the passengers and the pilot were killed. The Rock the Boat video was released later that year. You can see it in my Top 10 Summer Songs post (No. 3).
We Need a Resolution was the lead single from Aaliyah and came out in April 2001. It was written by Timbaland and the late singer/songwriter and record producer Static Major. Timbaland produced the song and also raps on it.
Promiscuous with Nelly Furtado
Timbaland and Danja (who started his career working with Timbaland) were co-producers on Canadian singer Nelly Furtado's album Loose in 2006. Loose was Nelly's 3rd studio album and different to her previous releases Whoa, Nelly! and Folklore (considered trip-hop and folk respectively).
Loose (released in June 2006) was more of a pop and R'n'B style, (with other elements as well) and is Nelly's best selling album to date. I wasn't that interested in her earlier releases myself, but really liked the Loose era. :)
Promiscuous was the 2nd single from the album and features a rap by Timbaland. It was released in April 2006 and was a hit, giving Nelly her first Canadian and US No. 1s. It also did well internationally, including in the UK.
I like the song's beat and catchy chorus. It seems crazy that it's 17 years old now!
Give It to Me feat. Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake
In 2007 Timbaland teamed up with Nelly and American singer Justin Timberlake (member of 90s/00s boy band *NSYNC turned solo star) for the single Give It to Me. He had previously worked with both artists, producing Nelly's album Loose (see above) and being a co-producer on Justin's hit single Cry Me a River and debut solo album Justified in 2002.
Timbaland also worked on Justin's 2006 album. FutureSex/LoveSounds.
Give It to Me was the 1st single from Timbaland's 2nd album Shock Value and was released in February 2007. It's an electro, hip hop and club song and was co-written by Timbaland, Nelly and Justin.
So that's all for now! Look out for Part 2 in future! :) What's your favourite Timbaland song?
Follow Timbaland at these links:
Official FB page: https://www.facebook.com/Timbaland
Instagram: https://instagram.com/timbaland
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@Timbaland
Update 18/3/24: Here is Part 2: https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2024/03/timbaland-link-up-part-2.html
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