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: "“In seventh grade I met Chad. That’s 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 wasn’t a part of the group, so I was in The Neptunes and in Surrounded By Idiots at the same time.” 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.
Ms. Parker
Timbaland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Missy Elliot]
Hey mommy what a playaaaaaa?
Black black black
(Ms. Parker what you suckin' on?)
Standin' on the bus stop suckin' on a lollipop
Hey hey Ms. Parker what's you address?
Hey Ms. Parker can I caress?
Mmm Ms. Parker glad to meet you
Mmm mmm Ms. Parker I do need you
Tell 'em now
[Chorus]
Listen to my heartbeat
Feel my wet lips
Ms. Parker don't you trip 'cause
Girl I know you want me
Listen to my finger snaps
You dig the way I roll
And the way a brotha act?
And your ex can't top that
Oh oh Ms. Parker what's that up your skirt?
Oh oh oh Ms. Parker you know I'm a flirt
Oh oh oh Ms. Parker can I ride with you?
(I've never seen this side of you)
And if you've got time to listen
[Chorus]
[Missy Elliot rap]
y'all know 'bout Ms. Parker
Capital P-A-rker
Lived at the corner of Fort Ruckus and Walker
Always a talker, late booty caller
Big squeeze them nuts, them spaghetti meat
Baller stalker watch Ms. Parker get freaky
Smoke too much reefa 'til she cheeky
Ms. Parker got the mara weekly
Give me funk 'til I'm stinkin'
And if you want to battle come and see me
Check it one time
[Chorus to fade]
The song “Ms. Parker” by Timbaland featuring Missy Elliot is a catchy, flirtatious rap with a humorous edge. The song’s protagonist is a man who is trying to seduce Ms. Parker, who he spots on a bus stop sucking on a lollipop. Despite her initial resistance, the singer persists with his advances, asking for her address and stating that he needs her. The song’s chorus emphasizes the singer's confidence, suggesting that Ms. Parker wants him and that her ex can’t compare to him. Missy Elliot's rap verse adds some further humor describing Ms. Parker as a late booty caller, who can get freaky after smoking too much reefa.
The song's lyrics offer a playful nod to the art of seduction. The title character, Ms. Parker, is an object of desire, and the singer's pursuit of her is exaggerated for humorous effect. The provocative lyrics of the chorus, particularly the lines "Listen to my heartbeat / Feel my wet lips," are designed to seduce the listener. However, the song's humorous tone gives the impression that the singer is not taking himself too seriously in his pursuit of Ms. Parker. Ultimately, "Ms. Parker" is a fun, lighthearted song that celebrates the art of flirtation.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey mommy what a playaaaaaa?
Missy Elliot is asking Ms. Parker if she is a player or someone who is romantically involved with multiple partners.
Black black black (Ms. Parker what you suckin' on?)
The color black is being repeated and then Timbaland is asking Ms. Parker what candy or lollipop she is sucking on.
Hey hey Ms. Parker what's you address?
Timbaland is asking Ms. Parker for her address, possibly to visit or invite her over.
Hey Ms. Parker can I caress?
Timbaland is asking Ms. Parker for permission to caress or touch her in a romantic or sexual way.
Mmm Ms. Parker glad to meet you
Timbaland is expressing his pleasure to meet Ms. Parker.
Mmm mmm Ms. Parker I do need you
Timbaland is indicating that he has a strong desire or need for Ms. Parker.
Tell 'em now
Timbaland is telling someone to convey his message or feelings to others.
Listen to my heartbeat
Timbaland is asking Ms. Parker to listen to his heartbeat, possibly as a sign of his attraction to her or his physical excitement.
Feel my wet lips
Timbaland is asking Ms. Parker to touch or feel his lips which may be moist, suggesting arousal.
Ms. Parker don't you trip 'cause
Timbaland is saying to Ms. Parker not to worry or panic about anything.
Girl I know you want me
Timbaland is suggesting that Ms. Parker desires him and is attracted to him.
Listen to my finger snaps
Timbaland is drawing attention to his finger snaps which may be in rhythm to a song or as a way to get Ms. Parker's attention.
You dig the way I roll
Timbaland is asking Ms. Parker if she likes the way he acts or moves, possibly in a cool or confident manner.
And the way a brotha act?
Timbaland is asking Ms. Parker if she likes the way he, as a black man, behaves or presents himself.
And your ex can't top that
Timbaland is suggesting that he is better than Ms. Parker's previous romantic partner and that she won't find anyone else like him.
Oh oh Ms. Parker what's that up your skirt?
Timbaland is asking Ms. Parker what she has under her skirt, possibly indicating his sexual interest or curiosity.
Oh oh oh Ms. Parker you know I'm a flirt
Timbaland is acknowledging that he is a flirt and that Ms. Parker is aware of it.
Oh oh oh Ms. Parker can I ride with you?
Timbaland is asking Ms. Parker if he can join her or ride with her, which could have a sexual connotation or simply mean riding in a vehicle together.
(I've never seen this side of you)
Timbaland is suggesting that he is seeing a different or unfamiliar side of Ms. Parker.
y'all know 'bout Ms. Parker
Missy Elliot is saying that everyone knows about Ms. Parker and her reputation or character.
Capital P-A-rker
Missy Elliot is spelling out Ms. Parker's last name using the phonetic alphabet.
Lived at the corner of Fort Ruckus and Walker
Missy Elliot is providing Ms. Parker's address or location, indicating that she lives on the corner of Fort Ruckus and Walker.
Always a talker, late booty caller
Missy Elliot is describing Ms. Parker as someone who talks a lot and is known for calling people for sexual encounters or hookups late at night.
Big squeeze them nuts, them spaghetti meat
Missy Elliot is using crude language to describe Ms. Parker as someone who is sexually aggressive and enjoys squeezing men's testicles and having sex with them.
Baller stalker watch Ms. Parker get freaky
Missy Elliot is referring to Ms. Parker as a baller stalker, meaning someone who is attracted to wealthy and successful men and is constantly pursuing them. She is also suggesting that Ms. Parker is sexually adventurous or 'freaky'.
Smoke too much reefa 'til she cheeky
Missy Elliot is suggesting that Ms. Parker smokes marijuana to the point where she is talkative and bold or cheeky.
Ms. Parker got the mara weekly
Missy Elliot is saying that Ms. Parker gets marijuana on a weekly basis or smokes it very often.
Give me funk 'til I'm stinkin'
Missy Elliot is asking for music or a fun time until she is completely immersed and enjoying herself.
And if you want to battle come and see me
Missy Elliot is challenging or daring someone to come compete with her.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: TIMOTHY MOSLEY, MISSY ELLIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind