Timbaland

Lore & Background

Timbaland's first major production credit was on the album Ginuwine... the Bachelor (1996) by R&B singer Ginuwine. Further commercial success on his following productions—including Aaliyah's album One in a Million (1996) and Missy Elliott's album Supa Dupa Fly (1997)—made him a sought-after producer for R&B and hip-hop acts. He performed as a recording artist himself while doing so, releasing three albums as part of the Virginia-based hip-hop duo Timbaland & Magoo, along with his debut solo album, Tim's Bio (1998).

He produced Justin Timberlake's 2002 single 'Cry Me a River', and thereafter produced the majority of Timberlake's subsequent releases—including FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006) and The 20/20 Experience (2013)—along with their respective hit singles. Timbaland's production credits expanded to include songs for Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Madonna, Kanye West, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, and Lil Wayne, among others.

Reader's Guide

Timbaland founded the record labels Beat Club in 2001 and its successor, Mosley Music Group in 2006, through which he has signed artists including Nelly Furtado, OneRepublic, Keri Hilson, Bubba Sparxxx, and Chris Cornell. Beat Club is namesake of a service in which Timbaland mentors upcoming producers, launched in 2020. Along with fellow producer Swizz Beatz, he co-created the webcast series Verzuz that same year.

Did You Know?

• Timbaland was accidentally shot at age 14 and partially paralyzed for nine months, during which he learned to DJ using his left hand.
• He was renamed Timbaland by DeVante Swing after the Timberland boot.
• His 2007 single 'Give It To Me' (featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake) peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100.
• He has won four Grammy Awards from 22 nominations.