Timbaland

Biography

Timothy Zachery Mosley, known professionally as Timbaland, is an American record producer, rapper, singer, and songwriter born on March 10, 1972, in Norfolk, Virginia. He is widely recognized for his innovative production and stuttering, rhythmic style that has influenced numerous pop, hip-hop, and R&B artists. Entertainment Weekly has stated that "just about every current pop trend can be traced back to him". Timbaland has won four Grammy Awards from over 20 nominations.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Growing up in Norfolk, Virginia, Timothy Mosley was known as DJ Timmy Tim. He began creating hip-hop tracks on a Casio keyboard. A pivotal moment in his youth was an accidental shooting that left him partially paralyzed for nine months, during which time he honed his DJ skills with his left hand. In high school, he started a long-term collaboration with rapper Melvin "Magoo" Barcliff and was part of a production group called S.B.I. which included his cousin, Pharrell Williams. His big break came when he was introduced to R&B artist Missy Elliott, who was impressed by his unique sense of rhythm. Elliott and her group Sista were signed by DeVante Swing of the group Jodeci to his Swing Mob label. Mosley and Magoo joined them, and DeVante Swing gave him the name Timbaland, after the popular Timberland boots.

Rise to Prominence and Signature Sound

The Late 1990s: Defining a Genre

Timbaland's mainstream breakthrough occurred in 1996 with his production work on Aaliyah's second album, "One in a Million," and Ginuwine's debut, "Ginuwine...the Bachelor". These albums featured hit singles like Aaliyah's "If Your Girl Only Knew" and Ginuwine's "Pony," which showcased his trademark sound rooted in hip-hop with fast-paced, syncopated rhythms and clear drum breaks. He soon became a highly sought-after producer, known for using original beats rather than samples and incorporating unusual sounds into his tracks. In 1997, he and Magoo released their debut album, "Welcome to Our World," which featured collaborations with Aaliyah and Missy Elliott. He also heavily produced Elliott's groundbreaking debut album, "Supa Dupa Fly" (1997). Throughout the late 90s, he crafted hits for high-profile artists like Jay-Z, Nas, and The LOX.

The 2000s: Pop and R&B Domination

In the early 2000s, Timbaland expanded his reach beyond hip-hop and R&B, producing for pop and rock artists. A major success during this period was his collaboration with Justin Timberlake on his debut solo album, "Justified," which included the hit single "Cry Me a River". Following the tragic death of his close collaborator Aaliyah in 2001, he went through a difficult period but continued to produce for artists like Tweet and Missy Elliott. He established his own record labels, Beat Club in 2001 and later Mosley Music Group in 2006. Through Mosley Music Group, he was instrumental in the massive success of Nelly Furtado's 2006 album "Loose" and OneRepublic's hit "Apologize". His own solo album, "Timbaland Presents Shock Value" (2007), was a star-studded affair featuring artists like Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, and Keri Hilson, and spawned hits like "The Way I Are" and "Give It to Me". He followed up with "Shock Value II" in 2009.

Solo Career and Collaborations

As a Recording Artist

In addition to his prolific production work, Timbaland has released several albums as a recording artist. He released three albums as part of the duo Timbaland & Magoo. His debut solo album, "Tim's Bio: Life from da Bassment," was released in 1998. This was followed by the commercially successful "Shock Value" in 2007 and "Shock Value II" in 2009.

Key Production Credits

Timbaland's production discography is extensive and includes some of the most iconic songs of the past few decades.

Notable productions include:

• "Pony" by Ginuwine
• "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" by Missy Elliott
• "One in a Million" by Aaliyah
• "Big Pimpin'" by Jay-Z
• "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake
• "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado
• "SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake
• "Apologize" by OneRepublic
• "Drunk in Love" by Beyoncé

Legacy and Recent Ventures

Timbaland's innovative and futuristic sound has left an indelible mark on the landscape of popular music. His unique rhythmic patterns and use of unconventional sounds have been widely influential. In 2020, alongside fellow producer Swizz Beatz, he co-created the popular webcast series Verzuz. He has also ventured into television as the executive music producer for the Fox series "Empire" and the Apple TV+ series "BE@RBRICK". He continues to mentor upcoming producers through his Beatclub platform.