Timbaland is similar to producers such as Norman Whitfield in that he helped to redefine the sound of an entire genre of music with an immediately recognizable production style. The songs he produces feature unusual arrangements, sounds, and instrumentation, tied together by a trademark sense of rhythm. Like Spector and Whitfield, Timbaland's production sometimes overshadows the credited performer and becomes the actual "star" of the song. With songwriters Steve "Static" Garrett and childhood friend Missy Elliott, Timbaland has helped to create some of the most successful songs in modern pop music and urban music, including singles for Aaliyah, Ginuwine, SWV, Total, and 702.
Mosley grew up in Norfolk, Virginia, where he became acquainted with Missy Elliott and Melvin Barcliff, whose MC name was "Magoo." Originally a disc jockey known as "DJ Timmy Tim," Mosely began making hip-hop backing tracks on a Casio keyboard he owned. In 1993 Elliott heard his material and, taken by Mosley's unique sense of rhythm, immediately began working with him.
Elliott and her girl group Sista auditioned for DeVante Swing, producer and member of successful R&B act Jodeci. Devante signed Sista to his Swing Mob label, and Elliott brought Mosely and Barcliff along with her. Mosely began working under Devante, who renamed the young producer Timbaland, after the Timberland boot popular in hip-hop fashion.
Sista and Timbaland & Magoo became part of Devante's stable of Swing Mob signees known as "Da Bassment" crew, joining artists and groups such as male singer Ginuwine, male vocal group Playa, and girl group Sugah. Timbaland did production work on a number of projects with Devante, including the 1995 Jodeci LP The Show, The After-Party, The Hotel, and Sista's debut LP, which was shevled and never saw release.
Timbaland was also friends with Pharrell Williams, and had dabbled in projects with him as S.B.I., or Surrounded By Idiots. Pharrell recalls in an interview: "βIn seventh grade I met Chad. Thatβs twenty years ago by now. Like I said earlier, we started producing beats together. But then again, I also played with this famous group which consisted of Timbaland, Magoo, myself and some other guy. Chad wasnβt a part of the group, so I was in The Neptunes and in Surrounded By Idiots at the same time.β A few tracks produced by the group float around on the internet, the most distributed being "Big White Spaceship".
In 1995, most of Devante's acts broke their ties with the producer and went their own ways. Elliott, Timbaland, Magoo, Playa, and Ginuwine continued to collaborate, and began working on individual projects of their own. Elliott began receiving recognition as a songwriter and guest artist for artists such as 702 and MC Lyte, and Timbaland was sometimes assigned to produce remixes of Elliott-penned songs. One of these, the remix to 702's "Steelo" in 1996, became Timbaland's first important production credit.
Also in 1996, Ginuwine released his debut album, Ginuwine...the Bachelor, which was produced entirely by Timbaland. The album was both a commercial and critical success, and its first single, "Pony," was the first example of what would later become the signature Timbaland sound.
The track for "Pony," which Timbaland had created two years prior during the Swing Mob days, was characterized by a shifting, syncopated rhythm, similar to samba or jungle music, which used snare and kick hits on typically non-accented beats in the measure. Stuttering high-hats typical of southern bass music accompanied the basic drum sounds, which were, unusual for hip-hop and R&B of this period, severely gated to create short, strong sounds. This use of the "short snare" is in marked contrast to the "long snare" sound in New Wave music in the 1980s, which featured a heavily amplified, almost white noise snare drum put through reverb. Accompanying the unusual rhythm were melody lines created by playing odd sound effects (vocal effects and cartoon slide whistles) through a sampling keyboard. The other tracks on Ginuwine...the Bachelor also featured similar production and arrangements. On many of the tracks, Timbaland can be heard either rapping or providing ad-libs, similar to what both Elliott and Puff Daddy where doing at the time; Timbaland's deep voice was usually vocoded to give it an electronic sound.
While work was being completed on Ginuwine...the Bachelor, R&B artist Aaliyah contracted Timbaland and Missy Elliott to write and produce most of her second album, One In A Million. The tracks that were crafted for Aaliyah featured innovative arrangements similar to those on Ginuwine...the Bachelor. One In A Million went on to sell over two million copies, and made superstars out of not only Aaliyah, but Elliott and Timbaland as well.
Elliott and Timbaland became one of the most successful and prolific songwriting/production teams of the late-1990s. By the end of the decade, Timbaland's sound had been heard in records from artists such as SWV, Destiny's Child, Nicole Wray, Jay-Z, Nas. Most of his production work during this period was reserved for his original stable of collaborators: two Missy Elliott albums (Supa Dupa Fly and Da Real World), a second effort by Ginuwine (100% Ginuwine), and Playa's debut album (Cheers 2 U). Timbaland produced much (if not all) of the material on many of their albums during this period, and also made two albums of his own: one with Magoo, and one solo album. Timbaland's own raps, which were usually ghostwritten by Elliott, Magoo, or his younger brother Garland Mosley (AKA Sebastian), were almost always accompanied by other MCs, including his main collaborators and numerous guest artists.
Timbaland spawned a plethora of imitators, some of which went as far as to sample sections of his work to create similar-sounding tracks. The popularity of the "Timbaland sound" marked a shift in hip-hop music from rougher, sample-based tracks to simpler, more synthetic musical accompainiment (unlike many hip-hop producers, Timbaland rarely sampled older records; most of his tracks were crafted by him and his in-house band). Since Timbaland worked in both hip-hop and R&B and often combined elements of one in tracks for the other, his work aided the blending together of the two genres, which became less and less distinct during the first half of the 2000s.
Foreign, especially Asian, instrumentation is present through much of his early work (Xscape's "My Secret" remix, especially, with a rollicking sitar outro and Timbaland ad-libbing "Let's take a little trip...to India"), but was most successful and prevalent with Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'" (1999), which borrowed directly from the song "Khosara" by Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi. Missy Elliott's 2001 hit single, "Get Ur Freak On" from her third album, Miss E...So Addictive, was also likewise a smash, using a speedy dhol drumline typical of Bhangra. His borrowing from these cultures has resulted in mixed reactions, with many critics embracing his musical adventurousness and eclecticism and more esoteric, purist factions reacting catiously, and sometimes negatively. In an interview with Missy Elliott in RayGun Magazine, he mentioned a diverse base of influences, from UK Drum 'N Bass to Garage.
Timbaland-produced songs such as Ludacris' "Roll Out (My Business)," Jay-Z's "Hola' Hovito," Petey Pablo's "Raise Up," and Beck's "Diamond Dogs" were recorded and released during this period, and he contributed to Limp Bizkit's 2001 remix album, New Old Songs. He also contributed three songs--all eventually released as singles--to Aaliyah's self-titled third album.
Timbaland & Magoo's second album together, Indecent Proposal, had been scheduled for release in November 2000, and was to feature appearances by Beck, Aaliyah, and new Timbaland proteges--some of whom were signed to his new Beat Club Records imprint--Ms. Jade, Sebastian, Petey Pablo, and Tweet (who was a member of Sugah during the Swing Mob days). The album was delayed until for an entire year, finally being released the following November, and was a commercial disappointment. Beck's vocals for the track "I Am Music" were not included on the final released version, which instead featured Timbaland singing alongside Static (Steven Garrett) of Playa and Aaliyah, who had been killed in a plane crash three months before the release of the album. The loss of Aaliyah deeply affected Timbaland, whose work was less omnipresent after 2001.
The first release on Beat Club was the debut album by Caucasian MC Bubba Sparxxx in October 2002, Dark Days, Bright Nights. Timbaland contributed three tracks to Tweet's debut album, Southern Hummingbird, and produced most of Missy Elliott's fourth and fifth LPs, Under Construction and This Is Not A Test! He also produced hit singles and album tracks for artists such as Li'l Kim ("The Jump Off") and Pastor Troy during this period. Collaborating with Scott Storch, Timbaland also produced a number of tracks on former *NSYNC lead singer Justin Timberlake's solo debut, Justified, including the hit single "Cry Me a River".
Late in 2003, Timbaland delivered the second Bubba Sparxxx album, Deliverance, and the third Timbaland & Magoo album, Under Construction, Part II. Both albums were released to little fanfare or acclaim even though Deliverance was praised by reviews and embraced by the internet community.
Timbaland continues to produce hit singles and albums for artists; in 2004 Timbaland-produced singles by LL Cool J, Xzibit, and Jay-Z became staples on urban radio, and he produced the bulk of Brandy's fourth album, Afrodisiac. New songs from artists such as Tweet and The Game are set for release in 2005.
2005 saw Timbaland producing a song on Tweet and The Game's albums ("Steer" and "Put You on The Game" respectively). He also produced 2 songs on Missy Elliott's 6th album (The Cookbook), "Joy" featuring Mike Jones and "Partytime."
Timbaland started his new label, Mosely Music Group, once again under Interscope. On the label are singers Nelly Furtado and Keri Hilson, and rapper D.O.E. Timbaland's parternship and mentorship of upcoming producer Nate "Danjahandz" Hills is evident in Timbaland's rejuvination in music.
Furtado looks to have her third album, Loose, released under MMG with in the first half of 2006 with Hilson's debut following shortly after. Timbaland is also slated to work with Justin Timberlake, Hilary Duff as well as albums by Jamie Foxx, JC Chasez, Busta Rhymes, Diddy, Ludacris, Chingy, Chilli of TLC, Tweet, and a lot more.
In 2006, Timbaland produced songs "Promiscuous" "My love" and "Sexyback" topped the charts for over fourteen weeks. In 2007, the tracks "Say It Right" and "What Goes Around" also topped the charts. The year 2007 also saw the release of his album "Timbaland presents Shock Value" which featured Fall Out Boy, The Hives, Elton John, Nicole Scherzinger, Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Missy Elliot, Sebastian (his brother), Keri Hilson, Money, Attitude, and Jim Beanz.
Clock Strikes
Timbaland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See, them other crews could not figure me
It's the mag and double-ooh, got that fat CD
Buck a crystal, hit a nigga with my blunt philly
Fake MC's getting assed like they eatin' chili
Only way they seem to rap is if they got a philly
Maybe I'm Nicole Brown, 'cause you really kill me
Got away with hittin' me, but you ain't O.J.
When I bumble watch your back 'cause I sting like a bee
This ain't the wild, wild West and you ain't cool Moe Dee
Watch a movie now you think that you really Joe Pesci
You don't want beef with me, like a diaper I'm messy
[Timbaland:]
I'm that laid back brother they call Timbaland
I drive a 850 sometimes a 3-2 Mazda van
You can catch me standin' in my B-boy stance
Or catch me at home watchin' "Who's the Man?"
They call robber, 'cause I pack much heat
Don't call me now, because they dig the way I speaks
I'm like a genie, because I've been trapped in a bottle
I've got more stunts, than that nigga Desperado
Come follow, a mad brother where'll there be no sun
No sun tomorrow, you be sayin', when can we meet? uhh uhh
My offices hours are nine to five
Ain't that right Maganoo, Maganoo? Right... right
[Chorus: Magoo:]
When the clock strikes, half-past two, yeah
They'll be dancin', through the night
Da-da-da, da, da (hey!)
Da-da-da, da, da (ahh!)
Da-da-da, da, da (hey!)
Da da daahhhhhh! (ahh!)
[Repeat]
[Timbaland:]
Now gimme that...
And run with the... (ahh)
Party people are you ready for Tim and Maganoo
As we come, rum & Coke, won't you kick a verse too
[Magoo:]
Yo I'm 'bout to get it started like I'm Hammer then I farted
You retarded if you thinkin' Brandy really broken hearted
I departed doin' dirt, lookin' up your girl's skirt
Keep it Steve Martin style, bustin' loose like a jerk
I get up like, town, gimme don't say no more
Got them scars on my face 'cause my health be poor
You Milli Vanilli, I'm Kurtis Blow like eighty-fo'
No I don't want your girl, she be suckin' my big toe
You get death like row, I take a beanie then I jet
Peace to Tupac, 'cause he was dope as it get
Twisted but you ain't Keith Sweat and shit got hot
Make a block then make a circle then I rock that spot
The rappin' don, I make a dyke go straight
If you think I'm cute, then you up too late
Make no mistake, I'm a question with no answer
Riddle me like the Joker get burnt like Jojo dancer
[Chorus x 3]
The song "Clock Strikes" by Timbaland & Magoo is a classic hip hop track that features bold and confident verses from both the artists. Magoo starts the song off by boasting about his talent and how other crews can't figure him out. He mentions that he can hit a person with his blunt Philly and how fake MCs are getting blasted. He also compares himself to Nicole Brown, saying that he's going to shake up the world like Cassius Clay. Finally, he compares himself to a diaper and talks about how messy he is.
Timbaland, on the other hand, starts his verse by introducing himself and talks about his cars and his B-boy stance. He mentions how he raps like a genie and how he has more stunts than Desperado. He says that his office hours are from nine to five and then addresses Magoo, asking him if he's right.
The chorus of the song is catchy and features the line "When the clock strikes, half-past two, yeah. They'll be dancing, through the night." The song ends with Magoo rapping about doing dirt and getting up like a town. He mentions Milli Vanilli and Kurtis Blow and how he can make a dyke go straight.
Overall, the song is about the artists showing off their skills and talking about how they can't be figured out by other crews. It's a classic hip hop track that showcases the bold and confident style of the 90s and early 2000s.
Line by Line Meaning
See, them other crews could not figure me
Other music groups cannot understand me
It's the mag and double-ooh, got that fat CD
Magoo and Timbaland have a good music CD
Buck a crystal, hit a nigga with my blunt philly
Smoke marijuana and hit someone with a blunt Philly cigar
Fake MC's getting assed like they eatin' chili
Inauthentic rappers are being scrutinized like they're eating chili
Only way they seem to rap is if they got a philly
Unskilled rappers can only perform with the assistance of a Philly cigar
Maybe I'm Nicole Brown, 'cause you really kill me
Magoo is being hurt emotionally and compares it to Nicole Brown's murder
Got away with hittin' me, but you ain't O.J.
Someone hit Magoo without facing consequences, unlike O.J. Simpson
I'm 'bout to shake up the world like Cassius Clay
Magoo is going to revolutionize the world similar to how Muhammad Ali did
When I bumble watch your back 'cause I sting like a bee
Be careful around Magoo because he can hurt you like a bee sting
This ain't the wild, wild West and you ain't cool Moe Dee
The situation is not like the Wild West and the person is not as cool as Moe Dee
Watch a movie now you think that you really Joe Pesci
After watching a movie, someone thinks they are like Joe Pesci
You don't want beef with me, like a diaper I'm messy
Someone doesn't want to argue with Magoo because he can get dirty like a messy diaper
I'm that laid back brother they call Timbaland
Timbaland is a calm person
I drive a 850 sometimes a 3-2 Mazda van
Timbaland drives a car and sometimes a Mazda van
You can catch me standin' in my B-boy stance
Timbaland stands in a B-Boy stance to look cool
Or catch me at home watchin' "Who's the Man?"
At home, Timbaland watches the movie "Who's the Man?"
They call robber, 'cause I pack much heat
Timbaland is called Robber because he carries a lot of guns
Don't call me now, because they dig the way I speaks
People don't want to bother Timbaland because of the way he talks
I'm like a genie, because I've been trapped in a bottle
Timbaland feels like he is trapped like a genie in a bottle
I've got more stunts, than that nigga Desperado
Timbaland has more tricks than the character Desperado
Come follow, a mad brother where'll there be no sun
Join Timbaland to go somewhere where the sun doesn't shine
No sun tomorrow, you be sayin', when can we meet? uhh uhh
Tomorrow will be dark, and someone asks when they can meet Timbaland
My offices hours are nine to five
Timbaland's hours of work are nine to five
Now gimme that...
Timbaland starts a sentence with 'Gimme that...'
And run with the... (ahh)
He continues to speak but is interrupted with a sound reaction
Party people are you ready for Tim and Maganoo
Are people ready to party with Timbaland and Magoo?
As we come, rum & Coke, won't you kick a verse too
As they arrive, they want others to join and rap with them
Yo I'm 'bout to get it started like I'm Hammer then I farted
Magoo is starting something and compares it to MC Hammer and farting
You retarded if you thinkin' Brandy really broken hearted
If someone believes Brandy is truly heartbroken, they are foolish
I departed doin' dirt, lookin' up your girl's skirt
Magoo left while doing something wrong and possibly looking under someone's girlfriend's skirt
Keep it Steve Martin style, bustin' loose like a jerk
Magoo wants to keep it funny like Steve Martin while dancing in a silly manner
You Milli Vanilli, I'm Kurtis Blow like eighty-fo'
Magoo is authentic like Kurtis Blow while comparing someone else to the fake artist Milli Vanilli
No I don't want your girl, she be suckin' my big toe
Magoo doesn't want someone's girlfriend, but she performs a sexual act on him
You get death like row, I take a beanie then I jet
Magoo can kill someone and leave afterward
Peace to Tupac, 'cause he was dope as it get
Magoo gives respect to the rapper Tupac because he was great
Twisted but you ain't Keith Sweat and shit got hot
Things are weird, but not like Keith Sweat, and things got serious
Make a block then make a circle then I rock that spot
Magoo moves around and dances while entertaining people
The rappin' don, I make a dyke go straight
Magoo is so good at rapping that he could make a lesbian become straight
If you think I'm cute, then you up too late
It's too late for someone to think Magoo is attractive
Make no mistake, I'm a question with no answer
Magoo is like a riddle without a solution
Riddle me like the Joker get burnt like Jojo dancer
Magoo is asking people to ask him a difficult question like the Joker, and those who can't answer will be embarrassed like Jojo Dancer
When the clock strikes, half-past two, yeah
Something will happen at 2:30 AM
They'll be dancin', through the night
People will be dancing all night long
Da-da-da, da, da (hey!)
Saying 'hey' with musical sounds
Da-da-da, da, da (ahh!)
Another sound reaction, this time with 'ahh'
Da-da-da, da, da (hey!)
Another 'hey' with sounds
Da da daahhhhhh! (ahh!)
More sound reactions with 'ahh' and 'da'
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MELVIN BARCLIFF, GLEN LARSON, TIMOTHY MOSLEY, STUART PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Hains22
RIP Magoo, easily the most enjoyable rapper on every song he was featured
@shellbranch4879
Swear every verse he has always fireeeee to me
@winterdreams4635
We donβt search for old songsβ¦
we search for old memories.
@coffeehazelnut7019
Decades later people will realize the depth
of this lineβ¦..
@everybodywantstoruletherad279
Can I use this? This is incredible. And so true
@robertbrown4335
Shut up but facts
@MtnDewforever
This. Such a short statement that immediately hits home βπ½
@CaiCamden2742
Precisely. There are memories in music. Theyβre music is also the glue that links people of many different races, etc!
@HENNESSEYLOVEORNOTHING
Rest In Peace to the Legendary Magoo πͺ½ ποΈ π
@kt9856
RIP Magoo, equally offbeat as Timb and Missy which is why yβall are/were so ahead of your time, dope and unique! You will be missed.