Timbaland
Superproducer Timbaland has stamped his indelible imprint on the music scene since the mid-1990s. His production has helped create career-defining hits for artists such as Jodeci, Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Missy Elliott, Destiny’s Child, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z, among many others. Respected beyond the genres of urban and hip hop music, Timbaland, whose musical influences cross cultural lines, has also been sought by diverse superstars whose music similarly knows no boundaries, from pop star Justin Timberlake to avant-singer Bjork. Released April 3, 2007, his second solo album, "Timbaland Presents Shock Value" (Blackground/Interscope/Mosley Music Group). That disc follows his producing of the majority of the tracks, including the #1 SexyBack, on Timberlake’s #1 charting, multiplatinum "FutureSex/LoveSounds," which followed their work together on Timberlake’s previous smash, "Justified."
Timbaland’s trademark sound has spawned numerous imitators — yet he has always remained the acknowledged originator. Along the way he built an impressive 5,000 square foot studio in Virginia Beach where he does most of his production, and he regularly travels between the studio, his Miami residence and the West Coast. In 2006 he founded a new label, at Interscope, appropriately called Mosely Music Group (MMG). Open to all types of artists, MMG debuted with a bang: Nelly Furtado’s "Promiscuous" featuring Timbaland, which hit #1, as did her album, "Loose."
Timbaland’s genre-breaking has changed popular music today, and he takes pride in staying ahead of the curve with his originality and experimentation. Confident and charismatic, his goal is to blow the listener’s mind and make them move to the beat. On the personal side, this artist/producer is an avid bodybuilder committed to a strict diet and training regimen, and as serious about working out as he is about his time in the studio.
“You can accomplish anything you put your mind to if you stay persistent and disciplined,” explains the driven and dedicated Timbaland, an innovator of sound who continues to set trends while adventurously expanding his musical palette.
Equipment Used
Purchased 2 NeKo 64 (Gen1)
Purchased 2 MiKo LX (Gen3)
Purchased 2 MiKo TSE (Gen3)
Artist Q&A
Q: How did you first hear about Open Labs?
A: A friend turned me on to Open Labs. He told me to check out your Web site. I ordered two machines right away!
Q: What artists have you produced using the MiKo?
A: I did a Fat Joe record with the Neko, some stuff with Justin Timberlake, and the Fall Out Boys, and several other projects. And of course on my new record, "Shock Value." I use the NeKo and MiKo all the time. I just use it … and it comes out a masterpiece!
Q: Having it all in one place, does that help your creative process?
A: Yes, having it all right there is great. It’s like your disc cases, your turntables, it’s everything that you would need. All right there at your fingertips.
Q: Do you plan on using your new special edition MiKo on your next project?
A: Oh yeah, I’m going to use it everywhere. For one thing, it’s small and easy to travel with and I can eliminate a lot of my disc cases and stuff. I don’t have to carry around anything else, I just do it!
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