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.
Leavin
timbaLand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Verse: Timbaland]
Hey why'all, it's Timbaland with the jump off
I only got forty eight hours before my plane takes off
I got this girl ready to give me some face off
I think I need seven just to make the playoff
How I'm wrong when you ain't right?
When your dumbass will be right on my flight (stupid)
There goes my shenanigans, laugh with me
There ain't no need for panicking
Chill out, you on a private plane
Just lay your head back to this kirkle bang
Eat some peanuts, sip on some champagne
Your fly mileage go up as you give me brain
This is what Thomas do, piss on my mark then I get back to you
[Chorus: x 2]
'Cause I'm leaving on the next plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Why don't you just call up all your friends
And let's get something started
[Verse: Attitude]
I'm only in town for two days, two nights only
I'm hoping that you want to spend these two nights on me
I like your home girls you like my homies
We ain't really tryna spend these two night lonely
Shawty, really ain't much I'm asking for
A little conversation, a nice piece of ass to go
I like penetration, how you like it fast or slow?
Only a hip, nobody has to know
She looking at me, weighing up her options
She ready to leave, and go get it poppin'
What could be the fact that I got there
Drop top Benz or that single in the top 10?
I dunno but whatever it is gotta::crunk
She grabbing her liquor, coming out of Prada
I told her I'ma pimp it, I ain't coming out a dollar
Let's go! I'm leaving gonna be out of here tomorrow
[Chorus: x 2]
[Verse: Magoo]
Girl you lookin' right in those jeans
You been eating colligreens?
That's obscene, your man don't help you make beans?
You have a house, 2 kids, and he working
There's rumors, he and your best friend been flirting
But I ain't tryna fuck you tonight
Your ass big, but your face hmmmm that look alright
I tell you what, I'ma make an exception
Clothes off, that's the truth
Clothes on is deception
Aw, yea, a macilent conception
Front or the back, hit in any direction
And baby you the cause of my erection
Stop at Wal-Greens I'ma buy some protection
Fuck that, go and put it in my face girl
I really have a need to give you face girl
You said you dreamed if sex with a star
Make up your mind, Oo be on a jet tomorrow
[Chorus: x 2]
The song "Leavin" by Timbaland and Magoo is about a quick fling before the singer leaves town. In the first verse, Timbaland is trying to make the most of his time with a girl before he has to catch his flight. He wants to leave a good impression even though he won't be able to spend the night with her. Attitude, in the second verse, is also only in town for a couple of nights and is looking for some fun without any attachment. Magoo, in the final verse, is talking to a woman who he thinks is in an unhappy relationship but doesn't want to spend the night with her. Instead, he suggests that they have sex before he leaves town.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I'm leaving on the next plane, I don't know when I'll be back again." This line, along with the lyrics in the verses, emphasizes that the singers in the song are only in town for a short time and want to make the most of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey why'all, it's Timbaland with the jump off
Introducing himself and stating that he is about to have some fun
I only got forty eight hours before my plane takes off
He's on a tight schedule and doesn't have much time left in town
I got this girl ready to give me some face off
He's found a girl who is willing to perform oral sex on him
I think I need seven just to make the playoff
He thinks he needs seven girls to have sex with him in order to feel satisfied
But I ain't gonna hit tonight, I'ma leave a good impression before I catch my flight (come on)
He's not planning to have sex with the girl tonight because he wants to leave a positive impression before he leaves
How I'm wrong when you ain't right?
He's questioning how he can be in the wrong when the girl is the one who is making the bad decisions
When your dumbass will be right on my flight (stupid)
He's insulting the girl and calling her stupid for planning to fly with him
There goes my shenanigans, laugh with me
He's admitting to his mischievous behavior and wants the girl to laugh about it with him
There ain't no need for panicking
He's reassuring the girl that everything is going to be okay
Chill out, you on a private plane
He's telling the girl to relax because they are on a private plane
Just lay your head back to this kirkle bang
He's suggesting that the girl listen to music and relax
Eat some peanuts, sip on some champagne
He's offering the girl some refreshments
Your fly mileage go up as you give me brain
He's jokingly suggesting that the girl's frequent flyer miles will increase as she performs oral sex on him
This is what Thomas do, piss on my mark then I get back to you
He's making a crude joke about how he will pee on something (his mark) and then come back to have sex with the girl
'Cause I'm leaving on the next plane
The chorus repeats that he is leaving soon
I'm only in town for two days, two nights only
The next verse (by Attitude) confirms that Timbaland doesn't have much time left in town
I'm hoping that you want to spend these two nights on me
Attitude is hoping to spend the remaining time with a girl
I like your home girls you like my homies
Attitude and the girl have mutual friends that they find attractive
We ain't really tryna spend these two night lonely
Attitude wants to avoid being alone for the next two nights
Shawty, really ain't much I'm asking for
He's asking for simple companionship and sex
A little conversation, a nice piece of ass to go
He wants some conversation and sex before he has to leave
I like penetration, how you like it fast or slow?
He's asking how the girl prefers to have sex
Only a hip, nobody has to know
He's suggesting that they have sex without any emotional attachment or relationship
She looking at me, weighing up her options
The girl is considering if she wants to have sex with Attitude
She ready to leave, and go get it poppin'
The girl decides to have sex with Attitude and is ready to leave with him
What could be the fact that I got there
He's wondering why the girl decided to have sex with him
Drop top Benz or that single in the top 10?
He's suggesting that the girl might be attracted to him because of his car or his music success
I dunno but whatever it is gotta::crunk
He's not sure why the girl is attracted to him, but he's excited anyway
She grabbing her liquor, coming out of Prada
She's picking up her things and getting ready to leave with Attitude
I told her I'ma pimp it, I ain't coming out a dollar
He's telling the girl that he's going to make their time together worth his money
Girl you lookin' right in those jeans
The next verse (by Magoo) starts off with Magoo complimenting a girl's appearance
You been eating colligreens?
He's making a joke about her diet and how it's affected her physical appearance
That's obscene, your man don't help you make beans?
He's suggesting that her boyfriend should help her eat healthier
You have a house, 2 kids, and he working
Magoo is commenting on her personal life and suggesting that her boyfriend might not be good enough for her
There's rumors, he and your best friend been flirting
Magoo is gossiping and adding to the rumors about her personal life
But I ain't tryna fuck you tonight
Magoo is stating that he doesn't want to have sex with her tonight
Your ass big, but your face hmmmm that look alright
He's being critical of her appearance and suggesting that she's only attractive from certain angles
I tell you what, I'ma make an exception
He's changing his mind and deciding to have sex with her after all
Clothes off, that's the truth
He's taking off his clothes and getting ready to have sex with her
Clothes on is deception
He's suggesting that people are not truly themselves when they are clothed
Aw, yea, a macilent conception
He's making a crude joke about how he's going to have sex with her
Front or the back, hit in any direction
He's suggesting that they can have sex in any position
And baby you the cause of my erection
He's telling her that she turned him on
Stop at Wal-Greens I'ma buy some protection
He's making sure they have protection before having sex
Fuck that, go and put it in my face girl
He's requesting that she perform oral sex on him
I really have a need to give you face girl
He's telling her that he wants to perform oral sex on her
You said you dreamed if sex with a star
Magoo is referencing a previous conversation and suggesting that she wants to have sex with a celebrity
Make up your mind, Oo be on a jet tomorrow
He's telling her to decide if she wants to have sex with him before he leaves town
'Cause I'm leaving on the next plane
The chorus repeats that he is leaving town soon
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN DENVER, MELVIN BARCLIF, TIMOTHY CLAYTON, TIM MOSLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind