For Timbaland, it goes like this: Jay-Z, Biggie, Tupac, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Eminem.
Arguably, one of the most innovative producers, Timbaland works with hip hop, R&B, and pop with equal ease. Among his closest collaborators are Justin Timberlake, JAY-Z, Nelly Furtado, and Aaliyah. He has created his unique recognisable sound and recently launched the sensation of the COVID time, webcast series Verzuz, which he curated with fellow producer Swizz Beatz.
Timbaland came to open a podcast that the I Am Athlete company made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop. This new series is titled “I Am Hip Hop” and Timbaland can call himself that. But there are other people who, for him, symbolise the culture and the music. And Timbaland presented the list:
Jay-Z is number one for me. Biggie, Jay, and Nas — they are three musketeers. And Tupac. If we had to Mount Rushmore I would have to put five. Because I had to put Jay-Z, Biggie, Tupac, Nas… Hell, you gotta put six… Snoop Dogg, let’s not forget. Eminem. He took hip hop and made stories. It’s what people do with the word hip hop and how you interpret it. So these people I’m naming changed my life to get me to where I am today. Made me love music even more.
Watch the interview below:
