Timbaland Describes His Near Fatal Overdose With Oxycontin

Timbaland has been tied to some of Hip-Hop’s most beloved songs. Besides his sprawling solo catalog and work with Magoo, Timothy Mosley has supplied unforgettable sounds for JAY-Z, Missy Elliott, Ludacris, Petey Pablo, and Bubba Sparxxx.

The Virginia producer/rapper who now calls Miami, Florida his home is in the midst of a return to form, by the charts’ standards. In a new interview with Rolling Stone‘s Jonathan Ringen, Tim reveals that in recent years, he battled a near-fatal drug addiction with Oxycontin. “Music is a gift and curse. Once you’re not popping, it plays with your mind. The pills helped block out the noise – I’d just sleep all day. I remember JAY-Z told me one time, ‘Don’t do no more interviews’ – because I was saying crazy sh*t.” In 2014, a year he worked extensively on Michael Jackson’s XSCAPE, the album’s executive producer believes he overdosed. “All I can tell you is that there was a light. I woke up trying to catch my breath, like I was underwater. But through that whole thing I saw life – I saw where I would be if I don’t change, and where I could be if I did.”

Tim, now 45, says he began using Oxycontin in his thirties. He was prescribed the opioid due to pains related to a gunshot wound sustained during his teens. The Roc Nation artist says he also battles depression. Since quitting drug use, the four-time Grammy-winner has lost more than 40 pounds.

Eminem and Meek Mill, both of whom have worked with Timbaland, have also survived admitted battles with drug addiction. ScHoolboy Q named his Grammy-nominated album OXYMORON after dealing with a similar addiction.

Late last year, Tim’ produced “Alessandro Michele” for Jermaine Dupri and Da Brat. He confirmed a fourth solo album arriving in 2018 and featuring Rick Ross. Tim last released Shock Value II in 2009. The largely panned record was a follow-up to the Top 5 2007 LP of the same name.