Timbaland to bring SoloBack right after JPJ
Hip hop superproducer Timbaland is apparently still flying high as a result of his double-platinum collaboration with Justin Timberlake. Last year’s FutureSex/LoveSounds LP practically had as many vocals from ‘Land as from ‘Lake, and the two are currently touring together, with Timbaland spinning the beats behind Justin’s choreographed performances and even doing a short set of his own material. Obviously, he’s itching for a solo outing.
It’s no surprise, then, that the Norfolk native recently announced that he’ll be rolling out an album entitled “Timbaland Presents Shock Value” on March 27th, about a week and a half after the JT tour brings him to the John Paul Jones arena. It will be his first record since 2003’s Under Construction II with partner Magoo, but he’s apparently been diversifying his portfolio for this round: the new album features collaborations with everyone from old friends like Ludacris and Missy Elliott to fellow producers like Dr. Dre and rock bands like the Hives and Fall Out Boy. Incomparably nutty Icelandic national treasure Bjork has has even asked him to help patch together her next album.
Timbaland’s long list of famous friends can be largely attributed to the fact that he first wormed his way into pop radio a decade ago and put his skills in high demand by orchestrating most of the best material from Aaliyah and Missy Elliott. His role in launching the career of hick-rap proteg� Bubba Sparxxx may ring true with some of Central Virginia’s more rural hip-hop audiences, but lately he’s focused his efforts on mentoring fellow producer Nate Hills, who co-produced Timberlake’s ubiquitous “SexyBack.”
Shock Value’s first single, “Give It To Me,” features vocals from Nelly Furtado and (you guessed it) Timberlake, and is expected to hit radio in about a week.
