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Busta Rhymes’ New Song Is A Statement About 30 Years Of Greatness

Today (November 24), Busta Rhymes has released his 11th solo album. Blockbusta follows a three-year break from Extinction Level Event 2 (aka E.L.E. 2), an album that some Busta fans—including Ambrosia For Heads–considered a classic album well-into his 30-year career. For Blockbusta, Busta returns to a major label, Epic Records,... Read more

Magoo Has Passed Away At Age 50

Magoo, one-half of Timbaland & Magoo, has reportedly passed away. The Chesapeake, Virginia artist born Melvin Barcliff died yesterday (August 13) at 50 years, according to friends and collaborators, including Ginuine and Playa producer Digital Black. No cause of death has been revealed at this time. “I don’t even know... Read more

Swizz Beatz & Timbaland Are Suing Triller Over Verzuz

In 2020, Verzuz became a force to be reckoned with for music fans, especially in Hip-Hop. The platform, launched by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, produced battles between RZA and DJ Premier, Babyface and Teddy Riley, Fabolous and Jadakiss, DMX and Snoop Dogg, and Rick Ross and 2 Chainz. Millions of... Read more

Diddy Challenges Jermaine Dupri To A Beat Battle & Shuts Him Down

Over the last 18 months, Verzuz has become one of the most important platforms in Hip-Hop and pop culture, generally. The battle/celebratory format pioneered by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland started as a healing salve to ease the stress of lockdown, and grew into a full blown phenomenon. Now that people... Read more

Kanye West Has Challenged Drake To Battle On Verzuz

Last night (September 14), Ja Rule and Fat Joe competed in the latest Verzuz. Together, the two artists who made "What's Luv" and "New York" showed friendly competition before a live hometown audience at Madison Square Garden's Hulu Room. Following August's high-powered LOX Verzuz Dipset, this match-up's biggest controversy happened between Ja Rule's producer and... Read more

Swizz Beatz & Timbaland Are Giving Ownership In Verzuz To All Past Participants

It was an exciting week for Hip-Hop. Sunday culminated with a first-time Grammy win for Nas, a poignant second win for Anderson .Paak (as well as a show-stopping performance), and more. As many looked back at a year defined by the pandemic, the week also saw the acquisition of one... Read more

Missy Elliott Is The 1st Female MC To Enter The Songwriters Hall Of Fame (Video)

Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott has become the first female Hip-Hop artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. While JAY-Z became the first artist in Rap to join the prestigious circle two years ago, Missy follows a 2018 where Jermaine Dupri was admitted. Both appeared in New York City... Read more

Locksmith Explains Why He Was Relieved Not To Get A Deal From Dr. Dre (Video)

Locksmith is one of the Bay Area's most prolific MCs. Since the early 2000s, the Richmond, California rapper has laid forth a slew of mixtapes, albums, and freestyles to bolster his catalog and put his expert lyricism on full display. In 2018, Locksmith kept especially busy, releasing full-length Ali, and... Read more

Teddy Riley, The Neptunes & Timbaland Recall Putting Virginia On The Rap Map (Video)

Beats 1 produced a very special episode of Pharrell Williams and Scott Vener’s OTHERtone radio show this week. The installment was recorded in front of a live studio audience at Pharrell’s recent Something In The Water Music Festival, and featured his Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, Pusha-T, Timbaland, and Teddy Riley.... Read more

Missy Elliott Becomes The First Female MC To Enter The Songwriters Hall Of Fame

Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott has become the first female Hip-Hop artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. While JAY-Z became the first artist in Rap to join the prestigious circle two years ago, Missy follows a 2018 where Jermaine Dupri was admitted. Both appeared in New York City... Read more

Swizz Beatz Names His Top 5 Producers Of All-Time (Video)

Swizz Beatz is slated to release his second ever solo studio album and first in 11 years this November. Poison, which is co-executive produced by J. Cole, features a star-studded feature list, including Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Young Thug, Pusha T, Jim Jones, Jadakiss, Styles P and Lil Wayne, among others.... Read more

Too Short Explains How Tupac Almost Kept Pimp C From Working With JAY-Z (Video)

With 2000's guest spot on JAY-Z's Top 20 hit "Big Pimpin'," UGK scored their most visible collaboration to date. Produced by Timbaland, it appeared on Jigga's triple-platinum Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter and is easily one of the rapper's biggest commercial successes. At the time, Underground Kingz Bun B... Read more

Logic & Sam Smith Self Reflect In Style For A Timbaland-Produced Gospel Ballad (Video)

Last November, English Grammy-Award winning singer/songwriter Sam Smith released his second studio album, The Thrill of It All, a follow-up to his massively successful debut, In The Lonely Hour, which has sold over 12 million copies to date. Of all of the songs that fall on the aforementioned The Thrill... Read more

Missy Elliott Honored By Janet Jackson. She Opens Up About Her Serious Illness (Video)

Thursday night (January 25), the ninth annual Essence Black Women In Music event took place. As the event's title states, the yearly ceremony celebrates Black women in music and spotlights a specific female artist. Previous years saw honorees such as Erykah Badu, Sylvia Rhone, Golden Globe winner and now 2018... Read more

Timbaland Describes The Musical Chemistry Between Him & JAY-Z (Video)

Timbaland hopes that 2018 will signal a true comeback season. The four-time Grammy Award-winner recently revealed that he battled a nearly fatal Oxycontin addiction in 2014. Once a mainstay on the singles charts by way of his hit-making productions and collaborations, Tim Mosley had a much quieter 2017. Now the... Read more

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... Read more

A New Video Shows Why Kanye Was Hip-Hop’s Most Promising Student Upon His Graduation

Marking a dramatic shift in his career from successful producer to stadium star, Kanye West’s third album Graduation celebrates its 10th anniversary this coming Monday (September 11). Proven with time, the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records LP with the upcoming birthday ushered in a new era in Hip-Hop. With Graduation, 'Ye positioned... Read more

20 Years Later, Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Aaliyah & Magoo Still Boogie Down (Video)

With their platinum-selling 1997 debut LP Welcome to Our World, Timbaland & Magoo invited millions of music fans into their native Norfolk, Virginia, a city (not to mention, a state) that had not made the kind of splash in the culture as had other Southern cities. With Timbo's innovative, electronic style... Read more

Finding The GOAT Producer: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Timbaland. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Sweet 16 Has Been Determined

Last night (February 5), Round 1 voting closed for "Finding The GOAT Producer." That round, launched in early January, began with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket). As of today's tiebreaker between Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon (which was within less than 1% when the polls closed),... Read more

Finding The GOAT Producer: Swizz Beatz vs. Timbaland. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. The third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no deserving... Read more

Da Brat & Jermaine Dupri Reignite Their Chemistry On A Def Timbaland Beat (Audio)

Not too many early 1990s producer/MC batteries have stayed as devoted as Jermaine Dupri and Da Brat. It has been more than 13 years since the platinum Chicago, Illinois native rapper made an album. But never in that time was her relationship with JD in question. As the So So... Read more

Timbaland’s New Song With Unreleased Aaliyah Vocals Sounds Like Their Vintage Music (Audio)

Over the years some tracks with unreleased Aaliyah vocals have surfaced, including the high profile "Enough Said," featuring Drake. Those songs often have been met with mixed reviews, with some believing the music did not add to her legacy. However, when Timbaland announced he was releasing a new mixtape on... Read more

Timbaland & Busta Rhymes Each Announce Christmas Day Mixtapes

While the record labels are traditionally closed over the December holidays, many Hip-Hop artists are hard at work. Christmas Day (December 25) has become a popular release date, especially for digital mixtapes. Two industry vets have eyed up next week's holiday, with major plans. Busta Rhymes and Timbaland worked together... Read more

Pusha T Shows He Is Still Lyrically Untouchable On His Latest Song (Audio)

In the same week it was announced that he's been appointed as the president of G.O.O.D. Music, Pusha T shows that he is still running things on the mic, as well. When discussing his new position, King Push assured that the job would not affect his plans to release his... Read more

Timbaland Loves Double Threats. Tink Is Up Next (Audio)

Whether it was Lauryn Hill changing his life or he and Missy Elliott changing the world together, Timbaland has always loved double threats--artists who can sing and rap. It's no surprise then that his newest signee, Tink, is gifted at both. Having already collaborated with Andre 3000 and shared songs... Read more

The Eminem Show: Marshall Mathers To Produce & Music Supervise New Series

As one of Motor City's most well-known representatives in Hip-Hop, Eminem has put Detroit, Michigan on the proverbial map with projects like the 2002 blockbuster film 8 Mile and its soundtrack (quintuple-platinum selling "Lose Yourself," anyone?). Thirteen years later, he's doing it again - this time for television - taking... Read more

Tink Reworks A Biggie Favorite With A Timbaland Beat & Big Budget Visual (Video)

Tink has been an eye and ear-grabbing sensation in R&B/Pop for nearly a year. Timbaland's singing pupils rival, if not eclipse some of his Rap proteges over the last 20 years. Tink is a bit of both, delivering an amalgam of genres, attitudes, and styles in one dynamic musical package.... Read more

Whet Your Appetite With A Tiny Sampling Of Nas & Timbaland’s Latest Creation (Audio)

Dating back to 1998's Tim's Bio: Life From The Basement album, Timbaland and Nas have worked together nearly a half-dozen times. The Queens, New York MC extraordinaire called upon the Virginia producer/rapper for his Nastradamus single, "You Owe Me," in addition to work together alongside everybody ranging from Jay Z... Read more

Timbaland Unearths A Petey Pablo Track That Puts The NC Vet In New Light (Audio)

Petey Pablo may seem like a blast from the past. In the closing days of 2001, the Greenville, North Carolina rapper put on for his state (and the South) with smash hit, "Raise Up." As a result, the Jive Records artist scored a gold-certified album, Diary Of A Sinner: 1st Entry,... Read more

Rick Ross, Jay Z & Timbaland’s Movin Bass Began As A Tink Song. Hear It (Audio)

Released one week ago, Rick Ross and Jay Z's latest tandem, "Movin' Bass" premiered. This latest collision happened on a jolting Timbaland beat. However, this week suggests that the high-profile union actually began as a beat and song intended for a much lesser-known artist: Tink. Tink is Timbo's latest protege,... Read more

Rochelle Jordan Entered A Contest To Record With Timbaland. The Results BUMP (Audio)

Microsoft and Lenovo recently partnered for "Team Up With Timbaland," a contest that allowed regular folk to potentially work with the Virginia native super-producer/artist, and join the likes of Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, and Aaliyah. One such Top 5 finalist, Rochelle Jordan, proved that she's anything but ordinary. "So Good"... Read more

Andre 3000 & Tink Collaboration? Timbaland Gives You 15 Seconds (Video)

A 15-second preview of a yet-untitled, little-known-about song as news. You can count the artists on one hand whose work would justify that as "News." Certainly, 20-year veteran Andre 3000 is one of the few, the proud. Timbaland previews (via Facebook video, no less) a fourth of a minute of... Read more

Timbaland Says He’s Never, Ever Seen Missy Elliott Record

This is the third decade that Timbaland and Missy Elliott have recorded together. Two of the artists who helped put the state of Virginia on the Hip-Hop map have made massive hits with each other, including "What About Us?," "Here We Come," and "The Rain," among plenty others. However, in... Read more

A VA Bounce Battle Begins With This Timbaland Vs. Neptunes Mix By Five Deez’ Pase Rock (Mixtape)

In the late 1990s, Cincinnati, Ohio was a keystone tributary to the Underground Hip-Hop movement's pinnacle. The River City produced DJ Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal, Mood, Black Star), as well as Anticon co-founder Dose.One and others. Blueprint would relocate to Cincy from nearby Columbus, Ohio, along with Illogic, forming the Greenhouse... Read more

Murda Ma$e & Timbaland Come Together To Show Support For Jo’Zzy (Audio)

Calling himself "Murda" again (as in "Murda Ma$e"), Ma$e is back, alongside fellow 1990s peer Timbaland in support of Memphis, Tennessee rapper-songstress double-threat Jo'Zzy. "Tryna Wife" may be supported by veterans, but it's a whimsically, youth-themed song about guys hooked on females that they're desperately trying to wife down. With... Read more

Justin Timberlake & Legions Of Dancing Fans Pay Tribute To Michael Jackson In Love Never Felt So Good (Video)

Michael Jackson's posthumous Xscape album is available now. However, Epic Records continues to pull out all the stops to make it reach the masses. Justin Timberlake-joined single "Love Never Felt So Good" gets a video, which is more than just a trotted-in montage of moments, or animation. J.T. leads the... Read more

You’ve Heard The Blues, But Not Like Michael Jackson & Timbaland’s Blue Gangsta (Audio)

Years before Young Jeezy and Cam'ron, Michael Jackson was making that "gangsta music." The King Of Pop may have had irresistible rhythms and harmonies in his unrivaled stack of solo smash hits, but in many of the videos, Gary, Indiana's own channeled the street movements, whether that was a leather... Read more

Michael Jackson’s Chicago Features Some Wavy Timbaland Production (Audio)

Michael Jackon's Xscape is on its way. The late King Of Pop's posthumous album is largely being helmed by Timbaland, who is a student of M.J.'s production and dance floor sensibilities. Tim channels Mike nicely on "Chicago," which has some cool production effects, and a catchy chorus. In life and... Read more

Make Way To The Dance-floor, Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake’s Love Never Felt So Good Arrives (Audio)

Tupac's posthumous singles made Heads feel. Biggie's posthumous singles made Heads nod. Michael Jackson's posthumous "Love Never Felt So Good" has that irresistible dance-floor feel that MJ created so many times over in his life, that makes Heads grab a partner. Assisted by Justin Timberlake, the production speaks well to... Read more

Michael Jackson’s Archives Are Going To Be Produced By Which Hip-Hop Super-Producer? (Video)

It's soon to be five years since "The King Of Pop" Michael Jackson tragically passed away. In addition to a diamond-paved catalog of hit songs and blockbuster albums, M.J. is soon to have a second posthumous LP. Named Xscape (no relation to the '90s girl group), details are starting to... Read more

Here’s an Amazing New Lyric Video from Timbaland, Drake, James Fauntleroy & Jay Z for Know Bout Me (Video)

The quality of lyric videos has risen dramatically in 2013. Justin Timberlake kicked it off with Suit & Tie, then Childish Gambino had a cool chat session with Abella Anderson for 3005. Now, Timbaland has created a lyric video that could easily stand as the official video for Know About... Read more

Twista & Timbaland Support Attitude On The Fast-Rap Stunt (Audio)

Longtime Timbaland protege Attitude is seemingly stepping out into his solo career. What better way to kick things off with a bang than to get a look from Timbo with a beat and a guest verse, as well as Twista. The VA-to-Chi-Town collaboration features some fast-rapping over one of the... Read more

Timbaland Gives A Lil’ Apartment A Big Sound (Audio)

Timbo continues #TimboThursdays with another freebie in "Lil' Apartment." This one came two days early, and features longtime Tim protege Attitude as well as 6 Two. We're not sure if this is the former Dr. Dre/D.O.C. 6 Two from Dallas, but either way, this Interscope/Roc Nation-backed slow roller has that... Read more

Hot off the Presses, Timbaland Releases Know About Me featuring Jay Z, Drake & James Fauntleroy (Audio)

Timbaland has been previewing new music from him and Jay Z for the last several weeks. Here's a CD-quality version of a song called Know About Me which features Jay, Drake and James Fauntleroy. Check it out below.... Read more

Justin Timberlake – TKO

Justin Timberlake may go down in history as thee artist of 2013. On the horizons of his second album of the calendar year, 20/20 Experience (2 of 2), JT unleasheds"TKO" from the second installment. You'll hear Timbaland trademark touch from the first note. Related: Justin Timberlake – Take Back the... Read more

Justin Timberlake Talks “Sinatra At The Sands” Collabo With Jay Z, Timbaland & Nas

We heard Timbaland around the release Magna Carta Holy Grail discuss this track. Justin Timberlake spoke with Angie Martinez and HOT 97 following his 2013 MTV Video Music Awards shakedown performance. Timberlake spoke about Timbaland, Nas and Jay Z deciding to impromptu record the song known as "Sinatra At The... Read more

Timbaland Speaks on Nas’ Collabo with Jay-Z & Justin Timberlake & More (Video)

A picture of Nas, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland in the studio caused a lot of commotion a couple of months ago. Everyone assumed their joint effort would be on Jay-Z's new album. Then Magna Carta came but there was no Jay/Nas/Justin/Tim collabo. Well, Timbaland speaks on the mystery song.... Read more

Timbaland Speaks On Magna Carta Holy Grail, Kanye West and More (Video)

Here's an extended interview with Timbaland where he breaks down Jay-Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail album in detail. He talks about who got beats on the album (Pharrell, Mike Will, Travis $cott and himself), who got verses (Nas and Ross) and more. He also talks about a falling out he... Read more

Jay-Z – Tom Ford Snippet (Video)

Jay-Z continues being a content tease with music from Magna Carta Holy Grail. Here's a brief snippet of his song Tom Ford, produced by Timbaland. You can see the video sneak preview and read the lyrics to Tom Ford below. Related: Timbaland Discusses Jay-Z’s Magna Carta Holy Grail Album (Video)... Read more