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.
Oh Timbaland
Timbaland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'mma let these n****s know
I been killin' 'em with these beats
Now I'm spittin' them killer flows
Whatcha know about me dog
Not a damn thing
Gotta problem? You can see me in the streets dog
I'm a one man game
If I want you dead and gone
I can make that happen because
N****, my bread is long
I done been on both sides of the tracks
You can say I trained the game
A lotta n****s tryna get in my lane
E'rybody askin me the same ol' thing
What they say
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
I ain't goin' nowhere dog
I'mma be right here in ya face
Can't do it like me, dog
Your kick drum ain't got enough ba**
Don't ever talk bad about me
You just might make me mad
And I just might see you somewhere
And break your a** in half
This not the Timbaland you used to
Now I'm in a whole 'nother zone
You can let me do me
You can do you
Or get popped in ya door
Hit love on the verge to the block
So recognize the game
Timbaland ain't gonna run nowhere, baby
Timbaland got private planes
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
I been around
Sometime long ago
I seen the life
Don't act like you ain't seen it before
I'm listenin', dog
You ain't sayin s***
You can keep on wishin'
You never make a hit
Yeah, I got money
Take it all from me
I'mma gon be the same
You can get a few whips
You can get a few chips
You still gon' be a lame
We ain't the same, my n****
I'm on some other s***
I'mma say this plain and simple
N****, take this punishment
I'mma take y'all on a trip
I'mma take y'all on a ride
And one day I'm gon' dip
But I won't be hard to find
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
Nowhere
Oh, Timbaland
Where he gon' run to
In Timbaland's song "Oh Timbaland," he asserts his dominance in the music industry and establishes that he is not going anywhere despite any criticism or hate he receives. The opening lyrics emphasize that Timbaland's success comes from his unique beats and killer flows, and he warns others not to underestimate him. He also suggests that his wealth gives him power and the ability to have people "dead and gone" if he wants to.
As the song progresses, Timbaland addresses those who doubt him directly, insisting that he is in a "whole 'nother zone" now and that he won't be going anywhere. He also notes that, while he has money, he remains humble and unchanging so that he won't become a "lame" like his critics. The repetition of the chorus, "Oh Timbaland, where he gon' run to, nowhere" further emphasizes his confidence in his position and his defiance in the face of those who seek to challenge him.
Overall, "Oh Timbaland" can be interpreted as a declaration of power and strength in Timbaland's music. The lyrics demonstrate his ability to create unique sounds and flows, his wealth, and his unwavering confidence in his position.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't got no fillin'
I am not satisfied or fulfilled, so I am going to prove myself
I'mma let these n****s know
I am going to make sure everyone knows who I am
I been killin' 'em with these beats
My beats are so good that they have been killing the competition
Now I'm spittin' them killer flows
I am now rapping with confidence and skill
Whatcha know about me dog
What do you know about my talent and success?
Not a damn thing
You know nothing about me
Gotta problem? You can see me in the streets dog
If you have an issue with me, I am not afraid to confront you
I'm a one man game
I am a self-made artist, and I don't need anyone's help
Don't take this lightly
Do not underestimate my abilities
If I want you dead and gone
If I want to end your career, I have the power to do it
I can make that happen because
I have the skills and connections to make things happen
N****, my bread is long
I am very wealthy and successful
I done been on both sides of the tracks
I have seen both success and struggle in my life
You can say I trained the game
I have influenced and inspired other artists to develop their own skills and style
E'rybody askin me the same ol' thing
Everyone is always asking me the same question
Oh, Timbaland
Referring to himself
Where he gon' run to
Where can he hide?
Nowhere
He cannot hide
I ain't goin' nowhere dog
He is not leaving or hiding
I'mma be right here in ya face
He will continue to be present and successful
Can't do it like me, dog
Other artists cannot replicate his unique style and talent
Your kick drum ain't got enough ba**
Other artists' beats are not as strong as his
Don't ever talk bad about me
Do not speak negatively about him
You just might make me mad
Negative comments could upset him
And I just might see you somewhere
He may encounter the person who talked bad about him somewhere
And break your a** in half
He is physically capable of harming or attacking the person
This not the Timbaland you used to
He has become a different, evolved artist
Now I'm in a whole 'nother zone
He has moved on to a new level of success and expertise
You can let me do me
Let him be himself and follow his own successful path
You can do you
You can do what you want
Or get popped in ya door
Otherwise, he will come after you
Hit love on the verge to the block
He has experienced love and loss in his career
So recognize the game
Understand the music industry and recognize his success
Timbaland ain't gonna run nowhere, baby
He will not hide or run away
Timbaland got private planes
He has access to wealth and luxury
I been around
He has been successful for a long time
Sometime long ago
In the past
I seen the life
He has experienced the ups and downs of fame and success
Don't act like you ain't seen it before
Don't act like fame and success is something you are unfamiliar with
I'm listenin', dog
He is paying attention and ready to respond
You ain't sayin s**
You are not speaking anything of value
You can keep on wishin'
You can continue to hope for success, but you will not achieve it
You never make a hit
You have not achieved any chart-topping success
Yeah, I got money
He is wealthy
Take it all from me
Even if someone tried to take his wealth, he would still be successful
I'mma gon be the same
His success has not changed who he is as a person
You can get a few whips
You can buy a few luxury cars
You can get a few chips
You can make a small amount of money
You still gon' be a lame
You will still not reach his level of success or talent
We ain't the same, my n****
He is on a different level than other artists
I'm on some other s***
He has a unique style and approach to music
I'mma say this plain and simple
He is speaking directly and honestly
N****, take this punishment
He is telling other artists to learn from him and work harder
I'mma take y'all on a trip
He is going to take listeners on a journey with his music
I'mma take y'all on a ride
His music will be an exciting and unique experience
And one day I'm gon' dip
One day he may retire from music
But I won't be hard to find
He will still be present and remembered even after he retires
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NINA SIMONE, TIMOTHY MOSLEY, TIMOTHY CLAYTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind