The I AM ATHLETE podcast launched its first episode of I AM HIP HOP with super-producer Timbaland where he discussed his illustrious career, but he also where he surprisingly claimed that he discovered famed rapper/actor Ludacris.
Timbo named some of his favorite artists, including the late DMX and Guru of GangStarr. He also mentioned Atlanta Hip Hop mainstay Ludacris, to which he added that he was the one responsible for his success.
“I was the one who found Ludacris. Because Ludacris was working in the radio station, and I was like, ‘Hey, ain’t nobody sign you? What’s going on here?’ [He was like], ‘Nah man.’ Then he came down to Virginia and we did ‘Phat Rabbit,’ and from there, labels started calling,” said Timbaland. The VA native added, “He asked me one time, ‘Would you sign to Def Jam or Elektra?’ I said, ‘Man, you better go to Def Jam.’ And I didn’t know how the business go. I just backed them ’cause I knew he was incredible.”
Timbaland is recognized as one of the most influential producers to ever do it. You could name off the laundry list of artists he’s partnered with. The list includes Drake, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Aaliyah, Ginuwine,and several others. However, It may be harder to list the stars Timbaland hasn’t worked with at least once. Given his longevity and the star power he has worked with, it’s not a stretch to rank Timbaland as one of the greatest producers of all time. Timbaland has been in the music game for nearly three decades. However, his plethora of upcoming projects show he has no plan of slowing down.
Timbaland recently sat down with Variety to discuss his career and upcoming work. Perhaps the most exciting project he’s working on is an album with hip-hop legend Missy Elliot. Missy hasn’t released a full album in 15 years. However, the love her fans have for her hasn’t gone away. It was first reported that the duo would be linking up again earlier this year. Timbaland didn’t give a definitive release date for the project. However, he hopes it will be ready to go this Summer. “We’ve got a lot of songs we’re gonna start recording soon,” he said. “my dream is to have it out around her birthday in July.”
Timbaland Takes Multiple Inspirations Into New Project
Timbaland at Stage 48 (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
Timbaland has worked with Missy before. Subsequently, he knows what kind of tracks she enjoys making. “I know how Missy works: It’s got to be new and fun,” he said. “Or maybe not so much new as kind of underground, and everything is upbeat” Furthermore, Timbaland revealed the album will have an international flavor. “Some of it has a kind of Latin feel to it, almost a Bad Bunny effect” he said. “Some of it’s kinda like underground Brazilian funk”
Additionally, Timbaland is also teaming up again with Justin Timberlake. The duo has worked together numerous times over the years. Perhaps their most famous collaboration was on JT’s FutureSex/LoveSounds, album which includes the smash hit “Sexy Back.” Timbaland says Justin’s new project has already wrapped up. “We just finished up and everything sounds great,” he said. “Now it’s really on him how and when he envisions it to come out.” Given Timbaland’s success, It’s likely that both projects will be a hit with fans.
Dreamville Music Festival is kicking off tomorrow (March 31) in Raleigh, North Carolina. They have also just announced a special free event that will honor 50 years of hip-hop, titled “50 And Forever,” and led by Amazon Music and the NC Department Of Natural And Cultural Resources.
With panels that feature artists like Ari Lennox, Timbaland, 9th Wonder, and other local performers, and beat-making classes, the all-day party will be hosted at the CAM Raleigh art museum. Additionally, there will be livestreams and other artists honored, including J. Cole (who runs Dreamville), Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Jeezy, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Jadakiss, DJ Drama, Jodeci, Free Marie, and Kenny Burns, according to Variety.
“We’ll have an array of panels as well as a beat-making class,” Nasira Abdur-Razzaq, the event coordinator for CAM Raleigh, said per ABC 11. “There’ll be different interviews with different artists. You’ll have a chance to interact as well as a car show that’s going to be happening across the street. We like the idea of culture and art and music all combining together, which is why this is so important for CAM to be collaborating with Dreamville. So, we just look forward to having everyone here.”
According to the news channel, the events kick off at noon local time and will run until 11 p.m. — with the last panel happening at 8 p.m. Those who wish to go do not also need a festival ticket to attend, giving everyone in the community a chance to experience the festivities.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
It’s been a relatively busy weekend in terms of new music, with several of the most noteworthy releases coming from our favourite female artists. Chlöe continued the rollout of her debut solo project with the energetic “Body Do,” and Lola Brooke recruited Yung Miami and Latto to join her on the remix of “Don’t Play With It.” Aside from that, we also heard another new banger from BIA, who teamed up with Timbaland to remind us “[SHE’S] THAT BITCH.”
Following “SIXTEEN,” which was a part of her Rolling Loud California set shortly after its premiere, the 31-year-old is back with more music magic. She and Timba sampled Missy Elliott’s “She’s a Bitch” from 1999, which was also produced by the industry icon. On his new arrival, he also had help from SkipOnDaBeat and Lil Rich, whose work is being praised endlessly on social media as reactions to “I’M THAT BITCH” continue to pour in.
BIA Looks Out of This World In Her “I’M THAT BITCH” Visual
On her first verse, BIA rhymes about being a “top bitch” and “an alpha,” telling listeners that her primary addictions are money and power. “She’s a bitch / The way I left that shit on read, he don’t exist / The way I killed them hoes, they dead, ain’t seen them since / The way I put that shit, I be throwin’ fits,” she begins her upbeat chorus. Afterward, the bars only get hotter as the Massachusetts native spits about being unreachable and getting respect.
“I’m a real bitch so I do what I wanna / This n*gga toxic, he need him a sauna,” she continues. “I could tell you was a ho from your aura / I limit my drama, I’m havin’ good karma.” Watch the visual for Timbaland and BIA’s “I’M THAT BITCH” on YouTube above. Afterward, tell us your thoughts on the hot new collaboration in the comments. For more of our release recommendations from this weekend, be sure to check out our latest Fire Emoji playlist update here.
Quotable Lyrics:
Buy me a house, boy, if you wanna be with me You used to women that’s f*ckin’ too easily I used to get to my money illegally None of my haters is sleepin’ this peacefully
When the phrase ‘super producer’ is uttered, not many names come to mind. Names like: RZA, Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, The Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri, and Kanye West are among the high ranks that have earned the title. Today however, we celebrate the birth of one who help to shape the scope of both Hip Hop and R&B in the late 90s and early 2000s. Timothy ZacheryMosley a.k.a. Timbaland was born on this day [March 10] 49 years ago.
Timbaland is responsible in large part for the success of artists like Missy Elliot, Aaliyah and Ginuwine. Timbaland helped shape a Hip Hop culture in his home state of Virginia and through his production and organization of local artists. He has even crossed over into pop, working with acts like Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, to create a sound and culture that helped bridge the pop culture gap to allow for more and more trans-genre collaboration.
In honor of Timbaland’s born day, here’s a list of some of his hottest and most influential tracks that have left a permanent mark on Hip Hop and R&B music and culture.
Aaliyah – “One In A Million”
As the third main single of the popular album of the same name, “One in a Million” peaked at #1 on the US Hot Rap/R&B chart. It also claimed the#1 spot in R&B Airplay for six long weeks.
Ginuwine – “Pony”
“Pony” was actually Ginuwine’s debut single and peaked at #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song kept it’s spot on the Hot R&B chart for two weeks.
Missy Elliot – “Supa Dupa Fly”
This was the first single from Missy Elliot’s debut album of the same name. This song hit at #4 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop charts and helped to earn Missy a spot on Elektra Records with her own sub-label Goldmind.
Justin Timberlake – “Sexy Back”
“Sexy Back” is the name of one of Justin Timberlake’s most successful and well known solo records. Hitting the #1 spot in a plethora of countries, this song has gone platinum a few times over in this country and across the globe.
Nelly Furtado – “Promiscuous”
“Promiscuous” is the international #1 hit single of Canadian singer/songwriter Nelly Furtado. Although it has peaked at #1 in a few countries around the globe it hit #3 in the United States. This was the second single from the album Loose.
For Women’s History Month, SOHH is highlighting five female artists that should make a comeback to music after taking hiatuses. Those female artists include Amerie, Shontelle, Tweet, Shawnna, and Lumidee. SOHH, here are the five female musicians that should return to hip-hop/R&B: Amerie This R&B singer came onto the scene by singing the chorus for […]
From childhood friends to music collaborators, Missy Elliott and Timbaland have shared an iconic bond throughout their endeavors. The Swing Mob members have both taken to social media this weekend to hint at a long-awaited new project. On Sunday (February 26th), Missy posted on her story “it’s go time,” and tagged Timbaland in the post. The “Apologize” rapper returned his enthusiasm by posting the story, writing, “time for us to press that go button.” He also added, “we n our bag like always.”
Over the years, the pair have co-conspired a number of hits, including Missy’s first five albums. As they have navigated from hit to hit, they have never been afraid to experiment with the sounds of rap and push the genre into new domains. Most recently, the duo linked up for Missy’s 2019 EP Iconology, where Timbaland added his production flavor to “DripDemeanor” and “Why I Still Love You.”
Although it’s been years since this iconic duo has worked up their magic together in the studio, they both have expanded their discographies independently. Missy released “Ratata” this year with Skrillex, and featured on David Guetta and Afrojack’s single “Trampoline.” Timbaland, on the other hand, has primarily remained producing. His most recent efforts have been featured in Jack Harlow’s Come Home the Kids Miss You and The Game’s Drillmatic – Heart vs. Mind. Seemingly, it looks like Timbaland and Missy are both returning to their roots for the start of the new year.
When recounting the successes of her previous albums, Missy has never been shy at pointing out Timbaland’s contributions. Upon reflection of Da Real World, she tweeted, “I was so hard on myself & for a while this was my least favorite until years later I realized the MASTERPIECE @Timbaland & I had created.” In remembrance of her 2001 album, Miss E… So Addictive, she tweeted how the duo was able to expand their experimentation: “we were open to showing what the FUTURE of music could sound like in our minds.” Regardless of what these partners are cooking up in the studio now, it’s safe to say it will exceed expectations. For more hip-hop news, be sure to check out HNHH.
Missy Elliott Recounts Her Early Success With Timbaland
My 1st album was stressfree because I didn’t have any expectations. My label told me they would give me my own label if I did 1 album so me & @Timbaland completed this album in 2 weeks not knowing this would be the beginning of many more to comepic.twitter.com/mineJQSfDN
