Timbo makes peace with Scott Storch

We haven't heard a Timbaland radio interview in a long time but this one just may be his best to date. Tim sounds rather humble throughout the interview. It seems like fatherhood has made him a changed man which he even admits. It takes a big man to reach out to a former rival, one Scott Storch, to quash the beef in a peaceful way (dude was almost crying?) Take a listen to the interview:

Timbaland on Atlanta's Hot 94

You heard it here on The Chronicles first back in November about the new Petey Pablo/Timbo collaboration and real soon we'll get to hear it first hand.

Now the real question is who is though who is this "BEEEEEP" that Tim is working with? Is it Stevie Brock? Is it someone else? Looks like we'll have to wait until the Grammys.

Missy Elliott "Shake Your Pom Pom"

We've given you a few snippets but now we have the full:

Missy Elliott "Shake Your Pop Pop"


After all this time this is what we get from Tim and Missy? I have to be honest it's nothing as creative as I was hoping. Are they losing their chemistry? Your thoughts?

Props to Sebastian for the track.

Unsolved Mysteries #4: What's wrong with this picture?

At first glance you see the "produced by Timbaland" so what's the big deal right? Well as you continue reading you see "Remixed and Reproduced by..." Reproduced? What the heck does that mean? And who are those 4 that did this "reproducing"? Who knows.

BUT here comes the good part: The album says "Can U Get Wit It" Remix and those who remixed it are listed.....but so is Timbaland. So where is the version of Jodeci's "Can U Get Wit It" that Timbaland produced? There lies the mystery...

Can you solve it? (and send me the track when you do)

Shouts to Roderick who knew this info like 10 years ago ha!

The Timbaland & Pharrell Riddle: "Everyone Nose" (Revisited)

There seemed to be some confusion about this collabortation and what exactly went down so let me break it down for you. If you remember we posted a pic of Tim and Pharrell in the studio cooking up some long over due heat together. Then recently a new N.E.R.D track appeared called "Everyone Nose." At first there was no connection, that was until Pharrell posted this on his Billionaire Boys Club blog:

****You guys might as well hear the mixed version [of "Everyone Nose'], remember that picture of Pharrel & Timbaland in the studio, well if you listen to the 2 versions you should be able to figure out what he was doing!****

Here is "Everyone Nose" before Tim got his hands on it:


and here is "Everyone Nose" after Tim got his hands on it (unmastered):


Hear the difference? He ain't DJ Timmy T for nothin'!

Now for that added special sauce The Chronicles likes to provide, take a listen to this track:

Demphra "At Chu (Estoy Cansada)"


Sample? Interpolation? Boogie you're nuts? You decide...

Rumor Alert!

A track is floating around the Internet claiming to be the Timbo-produced "Physical" by Nicole Scherzinger. The track is fan-made from a snippet we posted months ago.

Jay-Z-"Ain't I" & Fabolous-"Hey Papi"

You heard it hear first! More info coming soon.


Download

**UPDATE**
The track was originally recorded for "Shock Value", but read this quote from this "Entertainment Weekly" article:
Around 3 a.m., a crisis arises. Tim receives news from New York that Jay-Z and his engineer Gimel ''Young Guru'' Keaton are nowhere near finished with their parts of Shock Value's ''Ain't I.'' Jay specifically canceled plans to escort Beyoncé to the Oscars just to polish it off. As 5 a.m. becomes 6, Tim and Demo grow increasingly nervous — the deadline to deliver the finished CD to Interscope is just hours away. ''It's crunch time,'' Tim says, wiping sweat from his forehead. But as the sun comes up, and Tim's publicist and other engineers lie passed out in sleeping bags on the floor, ''Ain't I'' remains incomplete. Despite its catchy hook — ''I'm a hustler's hustler/A gangster's gangster/Ain't I?'' — Tim has no choice but to eliminate it from his record. ''Jay-Z, that's my brother. He disappointed,'' he says. (Through his publicist at Def Jam, Jay-Z had no comment.)

We'd been hearing rumors about "Ain't I"'s existence for about a year now, officially posting a video clip back in April. I also received word of the track along with other "Shock Value" cuts all the way back in March of 2007!

As we can now see, Jay has turned the song into his own. The leak comes from DJ Clue's newest mixtape, entitled "I Am Legend, Pt. 1." Clue also references "The Blueprint 3"--could this mean a new Jay album?

**UPDATE**
And from the same mixtape:
Fabolous-"Hey Papi"

Word is Danja gets 3rd Spears single

Word is Britney Spears new single will be the Danja produced "Break The Ice." Danja continues his streak of productions becoming singles as does Jim Beanz who has been turning everything he touches into pure vocal fire these days. No news on a release date or video but we do have a goodie for you:

Britney Spears "Break The Ice" Danjstrumental

Check that break down at the end, DAMN! Danja is going back to the old Tim days with the bird call ha!

Danity Kane and Making the Band 4 get Danja, Clutch, and Jim Beanz

Danity Kane has finished recording their album tentatively called Welcome to the Dollhouse with production by Bryan-Michael Cox, Scott Storch, The Runners, Tha Corna Boys, The Stereotypes (who produced the single, "Damaged") and Danja. You have already heard the Danja produced, Clutch written “Pretty Boy” which is being looked at as a possible second single. Danja has also produced a track called “Strip Tease” written by Danity Kane for the album. In addition to the release, a tour is also planned in June for DK.

Reported tracks include:

Pretty Boy
Damaged
Strip Tease
Is Anyone Listening
Poetry
Key to My Heart
Lights Out

In addition to working with DK, Danja is also working with the Making the Band 4 guys who have yet to release a name for the group. Additional producers are Cox, Mario Winans, The Runners, and Kwame. Jim Beanz is also involved in both projects adding his magic vocal production touch. Both groups will appear on each other’s albums and look for Diddy to make an appearance as well.

Check back at The Chronicles for additional info for both projects.

Throwback: Timbaland talks religion, clubs, and "corruption"

Here is a Timbaland interview back in 2004 where he (briefly) answers a variety of questions that you may not have known about (I didn't):

****-What motivates you?

Timbaland: Music. I love Music but nothing musically is motivating me right now. The world is changing and I'm getting older, I knew it was something when I started looking at B2K funny. As I think about it, I'm sure it's like how when we were young, people looked at Rakim. We're like those people now, the older generation. We're getting older.

I like doing music but I don't like what's being said on top of the music. It's like all the images are the same old, same old. There's really no creativity, it's just a repeat, a cycle, it's all a bunch of bull crap.

- What was Missy doing at that time?

Timbaland: She was singing and doing her thing with her group Phase 2.

- You opened up a new club right?

Timbaland: Yeah.. The Cherry Lounge.

- What's your religion?

Timbaland: I'm Pentecostal. Church of God and Christ.

- If you could change what the newcomers are doing in the industry, how would you?

Timbaland: I would tell them to go back and listen to real music, 70's and 80's music, something that ya'll young people don't know nothing about. Notice I said ya'll young people. Ya'll don't know nothing about it. Go back and study the art of where real music comes from. Feel me?****

Full Interview

Missy Elliott "Ching-A-Ling" & "Shake Your Pom Pom" in 3D

Update: The video will combine both "Ching A Ling" & "Shake Your Pom Pom." Get your glasses ready!

Just when you thought Missy couldn't get any more creative, she flips the script yet again. The folks over at Missy Watch have announced that Missy's video for "Ching A Ling" will be in 3D. That's right 3 D!



Don't have 3D glasses? Don't worry Missy will come to the rescue. Check out her myspace for selected cities that will be giving them out. If all else fails, go to your local bookstore and buy a pair for a few bucks. The video premiers on Feburary 4th so get your glasses and money makers ready!

Oh yes you're right, what does Missy's "Ching A Ling" track produced by The Arkitects technically have to do with Timbaland? Nothing....BUT guess who the engineer is on the track? Yes the one and only Jimmy D! And that's not the only connection, The Arkitects are linked to one of the original Timbaland production collaborators from way back, none other than Big Tank (check the liner notes for "One Minute Man" that's Tank). Thiiiirstaaay!

Props to Big A for going that extra mile on the info as always!

Timbaland video beatswitch samples

As a Timbaland fan if there's one thing that always gets me hyped up and literally makes my jaw drop it's a Timbaland beatswitch. NO ONE can do a beatswitch like Tim. He can completly change the direction and feel of a track in a blink of an eye (check "Can't Nobody") Sadly, we don't hear a classic Timbaland beatswitch as much as we used but none the less when we do it's always unforgetable. The great thing about Tim and the artists he's worked with both past and present is that even the videos have some of the most incredible beatswitches Tim has ever done (re-listen to Ginuwine's "So Anxious") 2 videos that have great yet ideitfyable beatswitches are Missy Elliott's "I'm Really Hot" and Ginuwine's "None Of Ur Business".

Missy must of had a peak at Rize and like what she saw, deciding to tap into the whole crump movement of 2004/2005. In her funky video for "I'm Really Hot" it must have been her idea to include the crazy beatswitch, and its lyrics, to match the track. At first you might think it contains the sample from K-OS' "Superstar Part 2" but in reality it samples So Ho's "Hot Music" (thanks Czar) Alicia Keys recently also used the same sample for her bonus track "Waiting For Your Love."

I also think it was Ginuwine's idea to include the beatswitch for his video for "So Anxious" since G is a dope dancer. It makes sense because the sample comes from the track by George Kranz "Din Daa Daa" from one of the greatest break danceing movies ever Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo . Yes you're right that's the same sample heard in the Pitbull's & Ying Yang Twins' "Shake" Remix.

Tweet enlists Missy Elliott & Timbaland

Yes it's true, Tweet recently confirmed in an interview with DJ Booth that she's looking to both Missy and Tim for some final heat for her album Love, Tweet.

****DJ booth: You mentioned you were at the Hip Hop Honors last month, featuring Missy Elliot. What is the greatest contribution Missy made to your career?

Tweet: Callin’ me on that day! [laughter] I didn’t know what I was gonna do with myself. Other than that, the greatest contribution is just being a friend and being there prior to my career, just introducing me to the world.

DJ Booth: Despite not recording under the umbrella that is Elektra/Atlantic – no pun intended – now with Umbrella Records, will you still be working with Missy?

Tweet: Yeah, of course. I’m looking to record my final songs and from Missy as well as Tim[berland], and we just haven’t had a chance to hook up. She has some real fire for me, so I know it’s comin’ soon.****

If you haven't already stop by her myspace page and her fan page to show support. Let's really hope these tracks make the final cut. Props to Big A on the find.

Timstrumental of the week

It's been awhile since we've done some Timstrumentals so I thought I'd come through and remind ya'll what it's all about. Roderick has the extensive TImsrumental collection much much depper than mine so I'll just go ahead and stick to the current Timbo tracks.

Here we have:

Ashlee Simpson's "Outta My Head"

and

Flo Rida's "Elevator" (I'm loving the brass!)


Enjoy!

Missy Elliott "Shake Your Pom Pom" - New Snippet

How did we miss this? A 1:30 snippet of Missy Elliott's "Shake Your Pom Pom!" This version gives me a little bit more hope for the song, but I'm overall pretty unimpressed.

Marcella talks about the making of "The Way I Are"

In this month's issue of Sound On Sound magazine (we featured the Jimmy D article here too) Marcella takes you behind the scenes of the making of "The Way I Are" and working with Timbaland. Take a look:

****“I’m like a mad scientist when I’m in the studio,” she says. “I love to experiment with everything. I’ll get creatively sicko from time to time, stretching sounds and making rhythms out of things that don’t yet exist in the file. Recording is an art in its own right, but mixing is where it’s at for me. When I was an intern I would sneak into the studios when they weren’t used and I’d put up anything I could bring in, and I’d just practise and practise and practise. Then I’d go back to my car and listen and I’d learn from that. Mixing is about making sure that all sounds work with each other, that certain moving parts, lead lines stand our more than other parts, and that the vocal is at the centre of it all. Tim is always going on about being able to hear the music, and he taught me that the vocals have to stand out too. It’s very challenging, and I love to be challenged."****

Full Article BIG props to El Jefe for the article!

Tim, D.O.E, Keri, & Sebastian perform at Jingle Ball

Check out the new video of Tim & the crew live at Madison Square Garden:


and again in Miami where D.O.E performed his single "Bottom To Tha Top":

Matt Pokora "Dangerous" w/ Sebastian at the NRJ Awards

Here is a live performance of Matt Pokora's new single "Dangerous" featuring Sebastian and Timbaland from this years NRJ Awards which took place over the weekend:

Matt Pokora "Dangerous" Live w/ Timbaland and Sebastian

Once again this track is produced by Hannon Lane. And who do you think is the writer and vocal producer of the track? None other than Jim Beanz (that's him on background throughout the track) as well as a new producer to the camp Charlie Hype, who you will be hearing more about real soon. The MMG crew continues their dominance worldwide!

Congrats as well to Danja for his contributions to International Album winner Blackout by Britney Spears.

Flo Rida & Timbaland "Elevator"

Coming off his record breaking hit "Low", Flo Rida has hooked up with Timbo for what looks to be his 2nd single "Elevator." Take a listen:

No DJ & CDQ


New video being shot for "Elevator" too, check it out:



Flo Rida's album Mail On Sundays will be in stores March 18th.

Thoughts?

Ashlee Simpson to release 3 track EP

Before her March 18th release date of her new album Bittersweet World, Ashlee Simpson will be releasing a 3 track EP on Feburary 4th. The EP will include her Timbaland/Royal Court/Jim Beanz track "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" as well as another track off her new album called "Rulebreaker" that will include the same trio behind the boards/vocals. The thrid track from the EP will be a track from her last album called ""Catch Me When I Fall."

Look for the new Timbo production on "Rulebreaker" very soon!

Matt Pokora "Dangerous" f/ Sebastian produced by Hannon Lane

We told you about the track last week and now we have it for you.

Matt Pokora F/ Sebastian produced by Hannon "Dangerous"


Hopefully we'll able to get footage or at least photos from Pokora and Sebastian's performance of the song at the NRJ Awards on Saturday.



Thoughts on the track? Thanks to Sebastian (the other one) for the song.

Timbaland helps fight HIV/AIDS

Rihanna, Good Charlotte, Ziggy Marley, and Timbaland are just some of the musicians that designed T-Shirts and tank tops for the clothing titan H&M for their Fashion Against AIDS line. The line launches in all H&M stores in Feburary and twenty-five per cent of the proceeds from the collection will be donated to HIV/AIDS research.

Check out the H&M website to see the add campaign including a message from Timbaland (click "meet the artists" bottom right).

Make sure to pick up a T-Shirt and help support the cause!

Danja & Simple Plan "The End"

I'll be the first to admit I'm lagging on my Danja digging but I'm trying to make up for it lately. With that said, so far from Simple Plan and Danja we have the single and video for "When I'm Gone." That means we still have two more tracks yet to be heard according to Simple Plan's official Bio:

****A high regard for recent work by Justin Timberlake and fellow Canadian Nelly Furtado led the group to Danja, a young producer on the rise who had been thriving under Timbaland's wing for many years -- and who, coincidentally, had also targeted Simple Plan as one of the groups he wanted to work with as he expanded into the rock realm. So in April of 2007, Bouvier and Comeau found themselves in Miami -- foreign territory that started to feel right in short order when they came up with an initial pair of songs, including "The End."

Bouvier recalls that after that first session, "we were like, 'Oh, shit, we've got something really fresh here! We got stuff going on! This is what we've been looking for." The excitement and enthusiasm they felt was so strong it gave the band its second wind.

.....Another trip to Miami soon followed, and Lanni was asked to tag along. That second session with Danja yielded "When I'm Gone" and "Generation," two of the most innovative tracks on the album. The duo solidified the rest of the band's support by taking the Danja tracks back to Montreal.

"We were a little surprised at first," remembers guitarist Sebastien Lefebvre, "but it was OK. I think we felt like we were adding a lot of new elements to our sound, which makes it more than just the typical rock band. I think it really inspired us all, and we came up with some groundbreaking stuff on this album."*****

Well make that one left go as the group recently added a snippet of their Danja produced track "The End" on their myspace page.

Danja does a great job of complimenting a band by keeping true to their sound but yet sprinkling all the little Danjaisms throughout. Your thoughts?

New articles on Sebastian & Amar

This month's Tub Magazine sat down with both Sebastian and Amar to talk music, working with Timbaland, and their future albums.

****[Sebastian's] 'Diamonds' is the name of the newest single. It has a beat that grabs you and make you move in your seat! "Tim just smiled when he heard 'Diamonds'" said Sebastian. These guys have brought substance back into music! You can hear a 'snippet' on his myspace. Keep up on what he is working on next there as well.

This charming man is also busy working on even more fantastic music with Justin Timerlake. "It's quite incredible; we are going to be making the track soon. It kinda has a 'Sexyback' feel it it."****

Full Article on Sebastian on page 60

****Amar has been very busy in the studio working on her first full CD. "We have almost completed an album which will be released in the first half of 2008. It's exciting and scary when it's your own album because there is nobody to fall back or share the frontline with -this is what you represent." Amar is also looking to tour as well as film videos to go along with her new project and other collaborations she is looking to be a part of in 2008.

"I hadn't much luck getting to the session. Jim and I flew out to Virginia together for the session, there were snowstorms that night so 5 flights were cancelled. We arrived in Virginia very late and all my luggage had been lost. I went to the hotel and was told that my luggage would arrive in the morning and to rest because the session was not happening until the next day. I then received a call that same night at 2AM saying the session was ready to begin! Wired and without any of my things I went into the studio and we recorded "Bombay." It was a great moment. I couldn't sleep for days after that!"****

Full Article on Amar on page 82

Great news from both artists. 2008 is going to be a good year for music!

Did you know? The Rapture & Timbaland

I'm on the fence as far as Tim's rock collaborations go and always have been. Some come out great and really show Tim's versatility as a successful rap, hip hop, r&b, pop, AND rock producer but then there are others where the chemistry just wasn't there. I will say as time goes on these rock collabos are a lot more fluid and I wonder how much of an influence Danja has on that. Anyhow, just over a year ago there was a possible collaboration between The Rapture and Tim that in the end unfortunately, didn't pan out. Check it out:

****Luke, I met you at a show in Baltimore a few years ago, and you were saying something about how you might be doing something with Timbaland. Nothing ever happened with that?

LJ: We met him. We went to his studio and hung out, but sadly it never made sense.

MS: He liked our band and wanted to do something. If you look at what he's been coming out with recently, it makes sense. There's an unfortunate reality that the economy of a rock band, for lack of a better word, and one of the world's biggest hip-hop producers, his cutting you a deal is our album budget. Even if he cuts us a great deal, it's still more than we're able to afford, which is a shame.

LJ: We're still in a ghetto in a sense. We're still on the lower side of major-label bands. We don't have any proven hit singles; therefore, the record label's not going to be like, "You need a million dollars to make this record? Cool!"

MS: I think it's a shame. I'm sure that it would've been a lot of fun. It's a shame when something comes down to economics and what someone could be making doing a lot of pop shit gets in the way of what could be a really interesting collaboration.****

Full Article

Rare Reel

So that's how she did it!

Danja & Natasha Bedingfield "Not Givin' Up"

Natasha Bedingfield's new album Pocket Full Of Sunshine was released today in the U.S. The album contains 6 of the same tracks from her European album N.B. released in April of 2007, as well as 7 brand new tracks. One track that appears on both albums is the Danja produced "Not Givin' Up." Take a listen:



I'm definitely liking the track overall, especially those eerie synths all throughout. Your thoughts?

Listen to Missy Elliott's "Shake Your Pom Pom"

Check out the snippet of "Shake Your Pom Pom" from the official Step Up 2 movie myspace page.

I'm hoping the whole song sounds better than the snippet, as I am very unimpressed. I'm also wondering who's singing the chorus because that isn't Timbo.

Your thoughts?

Danja feeds 2 to the Fat Joe Elephant

The Chronicles had previously reported about the Fat Joe/Danja collaboration for his new album and Joe recently gave MTV some more details on the album. "I got this song with Diddy called 'Party All the Time,' " he smiled. "We did the old Eddie Murphy [song over]." The remake of the Eddie Murphy cult classic is produced by Danja and is poised to be a possible single. It will definitely be interesting to see Danja's interpretation of this particular track originally produced by the legendary Rick James.

That's not all however, as another Danja produced track called "Coco Baby" will also be on the album. Named as Joe's favorite track on the album it's described as "upbeat, rhythmically focused, and blessed with an easy tempo." Keep checking back with us for more on these tracks.

Artist Update: Matt Pokora

Matthieu Totta is a French music artist who first jumped on the scene with an appearance on the French TV Show 'Popstars' as part of the rap group Mic Unit. A crowd favorite on the show, the producers decided to make him part of the newly formed boy band Linkup. Linkup released their debut album Notre étoile (Our Star) in 2006, which spawned the number one hit "Mon étoile" ("My Star"). Unfortunately, the 2nd single didn't fair as well causing the album to be a sales disappointment and the group disbanded shortly there after. Unfazed and determined to prove he was no boy band fodder, the newly named Matt Pokora released his solo album Matt Pokora with the hit singles "Elle Me Contrôle" ("She Controls Me") and "Pas Sans Toi" ("Not Without You"). The album was a hit as was his 2nd album and Pokora was well on his way to becoming a French pop star. Looking to branch out to a more global audience, M. Pokora, as he is now referred to, is working on his 3rd album MP3 with 10 of the 13 songs in English and a recent reported collaboration with Timbaland.

Now I had first heard of Matt Pokora possibly working with Timbaland back in July but there was no real confirmation so I wanted to see what, if anything, would come of it. It wasn't until a recent casting call for models for a new video with Pokora and Sebastian that my curiosity was once again sturred. As it turns out despite recent reports that Pokora and Timbaland are working on 5 tracks together, it's actually Hannon Lane who will be doing the producing.

Look for the first single "She's Dangerous" produced by Hannon to premiere at this year's NRJ Award show (which Timbaland is nominated) and a video for the track to be released sometime soon. You can also check out Matt Pokora's myspace to hear more from this promising artist.

Danity Kane "Pretty Boy" by Danja & The Clutch

Check out the new Danja produced, Clutch penned Danity Kane track "Pretty Boy" and cast your vote for it to be the next single.

Definitely a different track for Danja. Thoughts? Props to Alex for the info

Last look at 2007

Here is our final look at the Timbo domination in 2007. If you thought 2006 was a big year for Timbaland, wait till you see the stats for 2007. These stats don’t all include outside production work for the likes of Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Bjork, and M.I.A to name but a few rather for the most part they focus on Tim himself.

Keep in mind Timbaland released essentially a producer’s album which is quite an accomplishment because even amid continuing slumping music sales across all music genres, Shock Value has gone platinum and counting.

Here is 2007 in a small nutshell:

2007 TOP TEN SELLING DIGITAL SONGS
(combines all versions of the same song 01/01/2007-12/30/2007)
5 Apologize/ Timbaland F/ One Republic 2,371,000
10 Way I Are/ Timbaland F/ Keri Hilson & Jo 1,943,000

2007 TOP TEN SELLING DIGITAL ARTISTS
(based on digital track sales from 01/01/2007 – 12/30/2007)
2 Timbaland 5,933,000
4 Justin Timberlake 5,412,000

2007 TOP TEN SELLING DIGITAL TRACKS
(01/01/07 – 12/30/2007)
4 Apologize/ Timbaland F/ One Republic 2,113,000
5 Way I Are/ Timbaland 1,870,000

TOP TEN SELLING DIGITAL ALBUMS
(01/01/2007-12/30/2007)
8 Timbaland Presents Shock Value/ Timbaland 151,000
10 Futuresex/Love Sounds/ Justin Timberlake 137,000

Nielsen BDS: Top 10 Most Played Songs
3 Say It Right/ Nelly Furtado 371,40

Nielsen BDS: 2007 Top 10 Artist Airplay
8 Justin Timberlake 772,332

Nielsen BDS: Top 10 Music Video Internet Streams
6 What Goes Around…Comes../ Justin Timberlake 10,983,682
8 Say It Right/ Nelly Furtado 9,882,779

Nielsen BDS: Top 10 Internet Streamed Songs
4 What Goes Around..Comes Around/ Justin Timberlake 9,369,781

Top 20 albums of the year
15 Future Sex / Love Sounds Justin Timberlake 1,592,885

Top Youtube Videos off all time
4 Apologize/ Timbaland F/ One Republic 44 million views
8 Way I Are/ Timbaland 37 million views

People’s Choice Award Favorite Hip Hop Song: "Give It to Me" by Timbaland w/ Justin Timberlake & Nelly Furtado

Teen Choice Award Favorite Rap Artist: Timbaland
Teen Choice Award Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Track: “The Way I Are” f/ Keri Hilson & D.O.E

Nominated for 5 Grammy awards

You can also get your Timbo run down from the folks over at Clizbeats check it out

Look out 2008! HUGE props to Bigmac for these stats!!

Janet Jackson "Feedback Timbaland Remix": Not Timbaland or Danja

This track is a fake "Timbaland Remix" labeled track. It's yet another case of someone using Timbaland's name (and Danja's sound) to try and further their own "career." The track is a bite, even lifting Tim's adlibs from another track, and is being continually spread through the internet as a "Timbaland Remix" yet it's really another desperate "producer" trying to get his name out there. Influence is one thing, but it's sad to me that instead of creating your own music that you would be proud to put your own name on and promote, instead you have to rely on deception for people to listen to it.

Happy Birthday Aaliyah

Happy Birthday baby girl, you would have been 29 today and on top of the world. You are missed by so many of us.



Also here are some Rare Reels from a San Diego concert back in 1999:

"Back and Forth"

"At Your Best"

"Hot Like Fire"

"Four Page Letter"

"If Your Girl Only Knew

"One In A Million"

Video: Timbaland F/ Keri Hilson Nicole Scherzinger "Scream"

Timbaland "Scream" f/ Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger

Thoughts?

Thanks to Farraj for the info!

Throwback: The Brandy & Timbaland Debate

In the long dicussed and debated lore of Timbaland, there is one song that literally creates instantaneous controversy. This controversy doesn't come from just the Timbaland fans, however, rather the Brandy fans have also joined this war of words that has gone on for years. What was the REAL name of the album it was from? Was it really going to be the first single? and the age old, fight-till-the-death question: does the Timbaland produced "Black Pepper" track really exsist?

Vibe magazine would have you believe it does as it ran this story 4 years ago about the song:

****She exed her husband, dropped her former A-list producer, and enlisted a superstar manager. As the new BRANDY gets comfortable in her own flesh, CHEO HODARI COKER finds that she’s not afraid to push the envelope.

I'm not trying to be safe or difficult, but I don't want to look like Christina Aguilera," Brandy says, arms folded. "I just want to be sexy, but tasteful at the same time. Beyonce is sexy, but she's tasteful." She's talking to Frank Gatson Jr. and LaVelle Smith Jr., the two VMA Award-winning choreographers who have been charged with helping Brandy get her groove back. "Well, Beyonce didn't want to do this," Gatson says, dropping his hands to his sides, arching his back, and backing his ass up, duplicating that Beyonce booty dance from "Crazy in Love" with alarming dexterity for a man who's tall and built like a linebacker. "But we put professionals around her," he continues. "And we're not gonna play you."

The 25-year-old R&B princess has never been known for sensual dance steps, but shaking things up is the whole point of her new sound. In the past, an exchange like this one would have been the domain of Brandy's mother, Sonja Norwood. "I have to say, that's one thing my mom was always afraid of," Brandy later says. "She didn't want anybody to change me into something else." The choreographed steps were to be seen in the video for the hyper, bass-heavy, Timbaland banger "Black Pepper," which has since been scrapped for the more organic Kanye West-produced "Talk About Our Love." But the same way Brandy is learning to be comfortable with her feet, she's also learning to be at ease with revealing a more provocative side of herself. And if there are any changes to make these days, Brandy will be the sole architect. To take on management duties, she's drafted Benny Medina, who has famously guided the career of Jennifer Lopez to superstardom. Brandy has also split with her husband and has dropped production maven Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins in favor of Timbaland's exotic syncopated masterpieces.****

Full Article.

So "Black Pepper" was to be the first single off Afrodisiac right? Then why did Timbaland premiere Brandy's "first single" Adios featuring Sean Paul on the Baker Boys interview so many years back? Or was "Black Pepper" for her previous album Black Moon? The debate of what album this track was intended for will rage on for many years to come I'm sure...

BUT I will say with 100% certainty that "Black Pepper" does exsist. It may stay in the vaults of Timbaland & Brandy till the end of time but it's exsistence is a fact.

Timbaland named in steroid investigation

Timbaland, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Wyclef Jean, and Tyler Perry have all been named in an apparent steroid investigation according to an article by the Albany Times Union. The article claims (and I say claims very loosely) that these artists between 2005-2007 placed orders for steroids and injectable human growth hormones (HGH) to be sent to Long Island chiropractor Michael Diamond, an anti-aging consultant at the Clay Gym in Chelsea. Dr. Gary Brandwein in Miami, has been named as the doctor who prescribed the drugs and has made a name for himself as the doctor who also prescribed steroids to the WWF wrestler Chris Benoit who killed his wife, his son, and himself on an apparent roid rage bend.

There are no known sources rather "confidential, private" sources have made the claims to the Times furthering my speculation as to the truth of the claims rather than just pulling names out of a hat. To date no drug laws have been broken according to Albany District Attorney David Soares, as the investigation is focusing on the doctors who prescribed the drugs. Once again let me stress this is an investigation not an implication. Until the facts are revealed and credible proof is given, this is simply an investigation with a few A list names connected to it. Let's see what happens.

With all this said though, let me ask: Does what happens in an artist's personal life affect your opinion of them as an artist?

Let us know!

Unsolved Mystery #3-Update!

Remember a couple weeks back when we were comparing Petey Pablo's "In a Minute" to the unreleased Attitude track "It's Alright, It's OK"? Well, check this out:

Jha Jha "Git It Girl"


Now compare it to this: Petey Pablo "In a Minute"


And this: Attitude "It's Alright, It's OK"
Video

They all sound like different versions of the same Hannon Lane beat to me! What's more, there's a couple of other Jha Jha tracks besides "Do Something" that sound Hannon-esque, specifically this one:

Jha Jha "Bodies Callin"

The Step Up Soundtrack Tracklist w/ new Missy AND Timbaland

So we've heard the new Missy Elliott "Ching-A-Ling" track off the soundtrack but in addition to that song their will be another Missy track called "Shake Your Pom Pom" produced by none other than.....Timbo. Yes that's right after a long delay we finally get to hear more of the Tim & Missy combo we've all come to love. Here's the complete tracklist of the soundtrack coming out Feb. 5th:



1. Low (FloRida feat. T-Pain)
2. Shake Your Pom Pom (Missy Elliott)
3. Killa (Cherish feat. Yung Joc)
4. Hypnotized (Plies feat. Akon)
5. Is It You (Cassie)
6. Can't Help But Wait (Trey Songz feat. Plies) (Remix)
7. Church (T-Pain feat. Teddy Verseti)
8. Ching-A-Ling (Missy Elliott)
9. Push (Enrique Iglesias)
10. 3-6-9 (Cupid feat. B.o.B)
11. Impossible (Bayje)
12. Lives In Da Club (Sophia Fresh feat. Jay Lyriq)
13. Girl You Know (Scarface f/ Trey Songz)
14. Say Cheese (KC)
15. 15.Let It Go (Brit & Alex)
16. Ain't No Stressin (Montana Tucker, Sikora and Denial)

Thanks to Will over at Missy Watch for the info!

Sample of the week

Ahh yes I thought I'd step in and refresh our memories as we wait on the hopeful return of Czar. This week I bring you a somewhat current track that Tim worked on but we have yet to hear it in it's entirety. Let's check out this now well known video of Timbo in the studio.

Timbaland in the studio and unreleased Keri Hilson!

So we've got the "Give It To Me" head bob, the HOT Keri Hilson track "Your Cover's Blown" (which might be on her album) and then the video gets interesting. Tim starts playing the kazoo of all things but it's not the kazoo I want you all to listen to rather check out that piano melody. Sound familiar? If not check this "video":



Was the melody replayed by Danja? Could be but either way another movie soundtrack sample from the King! Shout out to G-Roc on the good ear.

Addition: Sorry I forgot to add that the track is called "Promise (Reprise)" and was composed by Akira Yamaoka who composed all of the music for the video games which were used for the movies. You can hear more of his amazing music here

Timbaland & Danja: Samantha Mumba "Personalities"

We reported about the Timbo/Danja/Mumba collabo quite sometime ago here on The Chronicles (at least I think we did ha!) but truthfully I forgot all about it. That is until today....

Take a listen to the snippet of Samantha Mumba's "Personalities" via her myspace page

The Irish singer's latest album has been repeatedly pushed back and there still doesn't seem to be an official release date, tracklisting, or even confirmation that the album is indeed coming out so maybe we will only be getting the snippet.

Watch Timbaland & Freestyle Steve

Check out Timbo and Freestyle at the Cannes Film Festival VIP Party:

Timbaland & Freestyle Steve LIVE at The Cannes

Missy Elliott's new single

Brand new Missy Elliott "Ching-A-Ling" from the movie soundtrack Step Up 2: The Streets and her forth coming album as yet untitled and no release date. Production for the track is unconfirmed to be Swizz Beats.

****UPDATE****
The track was produced by "The Arkitects" (Shawn Campbell and Marshall Leathers).

Tim pays homage to a legend

Timbaland, Kanye West, 9th Wonder, Swizz Beats, Just Blaze, ?uestlove, and Pharrell give props to one of the greatest producers of all time: Pete Rock. It's all for the EPK for his newest album called NY's Finest coming out Feburary 26.

PeteRock

Tha Carter III will have Timbaland

MTV re-confirmed that Lil' Wayne's forthcoming album does include production by Timbaland. Other production will be covered by Just Blaze, Kanye West, David Banner, Jay Bezel from the Diplomat camp, T-Mix, Mannie Fresh, Cool & Dre, a new cat Diesel, and Wayne himself.

Wayne has given no release date for the project instead saying, "The Carter III is coming in 2008. I don't want to give no months, no date." In addition to his own album , Wayne continues his slew of guest appearances most recently hopping on the remix for Rick Ross' "Speedin'" and has also been writing for Dr. Dre (addition tracks for Detox maybe?)

After confirmed reports of Timbo being on albums by Jay-Z, Baby Bash, Omarion & Bow Wow, only to be cut, we all know that nothing is set in stone until an album is released.

The people like Timbaland

With over 10 million total votes, congratualtions goes to Timbaland for taking home a People's Choice Award last night, along with an additional award for his production, in the following categories:

Favorite Hip Hop Song
"Give It to Me" by Timbaland w/ Justin Timberlake & Nelly Furtado (WINNER!)
"Party Like a Rock Star" by Shop Boyz
"Stronger" by Kanye West

Favorite Pop Song
"What Goes Around...Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake (WINNER!)
"Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie
"Irreplaceable" by Beyonce

Another collaboration?

What's that I smell?



Click here for more

Looks like we got a couple chefs cookin' up some heat in the studio. The questions are who, what, and when?

Bonnz props!

Behind the scenes of "Scream"

Here's a behind the scenes look at Timbaland's video for "Scream" featuring Keri Hilson and Nicole Scherzinger:

"Scream" behind the scenes with Timbaland, Keri, and Nicole

The video looks promising definitely but are you listening to the background beats? Did Tim do those? In particular that beat that comes in at 1:10 that starts out like "The Way I Are" but changes. Props to Trevor for the link.

MMG in the new Fader

Check out this month's Fader magazine and the DOPE article on Timbo and some of the MMG crew both present and future:



Fader Magazine

You remember the name Izza Kizza right? He was mentioned in the Soul Diggaz interview The Chronicles posted that he was working with Tim. According to this Fader article, however, Tim has actually signed him. That's definitely a smart move as you can tell by the tracks on his myspace page the dude has major skills! (that first track "Red Wine" is SICK!)

We also got a couple more tracks off of Keri's new album:

-The Corey Bold produced "Alienate"
-a track called "Mic Check"
-and another "Too Proud"

2008 looks to be a BIG year for the MMG crew. Don't forget to check out that T-Shirt on Page 5 Tim's rockin' to support the cause! Thanks to Big A for the article.

Justin Timberlake Future Sex/ Love Sounds concert

In case you missed it, check it out while you can! No Timbaland set unfortunately.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10 (There's Timbo)

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Part 15

Part 16

Part 17

Part 18

Part 19

Part 20

No Part 21

Part 22

BONUS DISC:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

DOPE show!

What's wrong with this picture?

Who Flipped it better? Jermaine Dupri (and Brian Michael Cox) Vs. Lil' Jon Vs. Timbaland

This latest "battle" if you will has to do with a long sought after sample that still has yet to be identified. Timbaland first used the sample back in 1999 on Ginuwine's "Only When UR Lonely" Remix off of his classic album The Bachelor.




The following year, in 2000, Jermaine Dupri, assisted by Brian Michael Cox, used the same sample for Da Brat's track "My Bitches" from her album Unrestricted.



Finally, Lil' Jon decided to revisit the sample and used it for his and the Eastside Boyz track "Grand Finale" F/ Jadakiss, Bun B, Nas, and T.I. from the 2004 album Crunk Juice .



So in a span of 5 years 3 top producers used the same sample but as always the question is: who flipped it better? HUGE bonus points this week too if you can name that sample.

Keri Hilson Interview

Here's an older radio interview Keri did with clizbeats.com back in August.



Interesting that Diddy's "After Love" was originally for Danity Kane. And will "Poppin" make the final cut? Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Rare Reel

I posted this a year ago here on The Chronicles but it was taken down. After a lot of digging I found it again. Enjoy!

Timbaland DJs: Warlock Vs. Housewife

Remix It! Winner

Congratulations goes out to Koncrete Beats for his remix of Ashlee Simpson's "Outta My Head." A big thanks to ALL of you who took the time to participate and for those of you who voted. These Remix It! contests are simply a way for all of you to showcase your skills and get your music out there to be heard nothing more nothing less. I know what's it's like to be passionate about your craft so The Chronicles will continue to do these as often as possible. Thanks to everyone again and keep up the good work!

For Masta's remix who I missed for the voting, you got a total of 25 votes and again my apologies.

Test Drive "Drive Me Crazy" f/ Sebastian

Check out the HOT new song by Test Drive featuring Sebastian "Drive Me Crazy" with Jim Beanz on vocal production/writing and Hannon on the boards.

You can hear more from Test Drive on their myspace. Yes "Karma" is the Danja produced beat of Katherine McPhee's "Dangerous." What's the association? I have no idea......yet.

You can definitely tell what Beanz brings to the table as the vocals on their myspace sound very rough and unpolished as compared to "Drive Me Crazy." Props to Timbalandchick for the info!

New Hannon Lane and Jha Jha

Let's start 2008 out with a bang so take a listen to this sick track by Jha Jha called "Do Something" produced by Hannon:



Right away before the beat drops there should be a very familiar sound...hear it? Yes, though sped down slightly, those are the exact same synth chords from Missy Elliott's "Work It." It seems odd that Hannon would use the exact same unique chords from such a recognizable "Timbaland produced" song. Wait that is.....unless Hannon produced "Work It" *gasp*

You know I love those conspiracy theories!

Timbaland rules 2007

Let me first off say Happy New Year to all of you. I hope 2007 was as good a year for you as it was for me but more importantly you all ready for 2008? We here at The Chronicles definitely are and as always we will continue to bring you ALL things Timbaland as well as expanding your minds to all those in the Timbo family both past and present.

2007 was a HUGE year for Timbaland. His solo album went platinum, he vaulted Nelly Furtado and Justin Timerblake to the top of the worldwide sales mark with their respective albums, and he had numerous #1 hits all across the world. Everyone and anyone was looking to get a piece of Tim from Redman to Ashlee Simpson, Bjork to M.I.A, Bobby Valentino to Duran Duran. 2007 was also the year that Timbo shared the love as we watched Tim's former protégé Danja become a solid A list producer in his own right, the vocal producer extraordinaire Jim Beanz's name get bigger and bigger, as well as the newly formed Royal Court get 7 singles released of their only 10 known productions that's MAJOR! With an album by Keri Hilson right around the corner, long overdue albums from both Sebastian & D.O.E planned for 2008, and new artists continually being added to Mosley Music Group, Tim looks to continue in 2008 right where he left off: total domination.

Timbo had a slew of productions in 2007 ranging from straight up pop to that old school Tim sound we all know and love. Here are my top 5 for the year:

5. Spitfiya "Hit U Wit No Delay" - a track that came out of the blue yet has of the most crisp and clean drums Tim has ever used.
4. Fabolous f/ Ne-Yo "Make You Better" -when I first heard the leaked snippet of this track I went crazy. Tim actually remembered how to stutter, which I thought he had lost in his quest for pop supremacy. Though lazy with the sample flip it still turned out to be a dope track.
3. M.I.A "Come Around" -everything about this track is genius, from the much sought after sample (thanks Czar), the outer space break, to those driving drums and guitar offset with the 1/2 time beat, add M.I.A's perfect obscure lullaby "da da daaaan daaa daaa" and you have a true gem indeed.
2. Timbaland f/ Keri Hilson "Hello" -what can I say I love the Timbo drum stutter and this track is Tim in his element from start to finish. Keri brought the CRAZY vocals, Tude showed why Warner Bros signed him, and even Timbo showed that he still had some flow in him. The harp sample (a la Jamie Fox "Can I Take U Home") sealed the deal on the best track not on Shock Value
1. Timbaland f/ Justin Timberlake & Jay-Z "Laff At Em" Remix -despite the epic pop songs, the synth heavy ballads, and the radio friendly tracks that dominated Tim's songs of 2007, he reminded us all that he could still create a straight up BANGER. Heavy drums, a killer combo of laughter samples (check that one in during the chorus), and the long awaited return of the Jay Z/Timbo combo and you had the illest Timbo beat created in many years.

What about your top 5? Happy 2008!