Timbaland Reveals How Jay-Z and Drake Became His Support System

  Timbaland is one of the most prolific producers in hip-hop history. This prolific producer created hits for iconic artists such as Missy Elliott, Aaliyah Ginuwine and Ludacris - among many others. Timbaland developed an innovative production style, using original beats with quiet background rapping or obscure sounds like the whinnying of a horse as part of its soundscape. But like any celebrity, Timbaland suffered from addiction. Timbaland’s Addiction Timbaland has long been an integral part of hip-hop since he began producing tracks for Missy Elliott in the 1990s. Over time, he went on to work with artists like Aaliyah, Justin Timberlake, and Beyonce. However, even amongst all this success lies addiction: during an interview on Club Shay Shay with Shannon Sharpe the four-time Grammy Award-winning musician revealed his battles with Vicodin and OxyContin addiction; even taking up to 160 milligrams daily before giving shoutouts out to JAY-Z and Drake as inspiration in helping him through it all. After being prescribed painkillers after dental procedures, the producer became dependent on them. While he did not wish to glorify his addiction, he acknowledged its effect: it made him feel amazing and more confident. Taking pills while recording in studio and sometimes during conversations made this seem less than desirable. Timbaland revealed during an interview with CNN that Drake and JAY-Z assisted in helping him through his addiction by giving advice over the phone, calling, and motivating him to work harder and create better music. Timbaland even called Jay-Z a prophet as well as learning so much in the studio together. Although Timbaland is proud of being drug-free, he conceded it wasn't easy and said his addiction almost cost him his life. At first he believed drugs made him more productive in the studio but eventually realized they only caused him to lose control and cause him to slip backwards into addiction. Now, he is much happier to enjoy his retirement with a renewed zest. While he still indulges in smoking weed and drinking alcohol, his goal to improve his health has inspired him to begin an exercise regime which has enabled him to shed 40 pounds in just 8 weeks! Additionally, his story hopes to encourage those struggling with addiction that they do not give up and remain resilient. Timbaland’s Recovery Timbaland has experienced his fair share of challenges as both an iconic producer and rapper in the music industry, most notably an addiction to prescription drugs that nearly took his life. Recently on Club Shay Shay hosted by Shannon Sharpe, four-time Grammy award-winner Timbaland shared his journey towards recovery from substance abuse issues. Vicodin and OxyContin were initially prescribed to Timbaland to ease nerve pain caused by gunshot injuries sustained as a youth, yet soon became addictive. He used them both for depression as well as physical discomfort brought on by issues like his failed marriage and other personal matters; eventually Timbaland started abusing these pills so frequently that withdrawal symptoms became noticeable; with help from Jay-Z and Drake, Timbaland was eventually able to gradually wean himself off them and stop abusing them completely. Rap heavyweights Hov and Drake have long shared an intriguing dynamic, often sparring on wax while showing mutual respect in various moments. Hov and Drake's lyrical sparring on Drake's "Light Up" track was an incredible treat for fans - an unplanned chance for these two artists to show their lyrical skills while showing insight into each other's struggles as rappers in public view. More recently, they have demonstrated a stronger bond. Most recently, video footage showing them hugging and posing for photos at On the Run II tour stop in Detroit went viral and proved how much respect has developed between these titans of rap over time. Both rappers have also been vocal advocates on social issues that impact their communities, with JAY-Z speaking out against what he considers legalized slavery in prison systems and police brutality, while Drake has supported Black Lives Matter while criticizing NFL for treating Colin Kaepernick unfairly. Timbaland’s Support System As an adolescent, Jay-Z spent much of his free time banging on the kitchen table of his Flushing Avenue apartment and creating beats with drum machines and percussion loops he assembled himself, before using these loops to perform with Jaz-O and East Coast duo Das EFX in rap sessions. Later he sharpened his skills through Puff Daddy's Bad Boy label before developing his signature style; one defined by lucid storytelling combined with powerful imagery to capture feelings of desperation, poverty and hopelessness that few other artists could capture. Timbaland was one of the world's most acclaimed producers. His initial full-credit production work appeared on Ginuwine's hit song "The Bachelor," while subsequent collaborations with Aaliyah and Missy Elliott cemented his reputation as an executive producer for superstar musicians, such as Jay-Z. His initial full-credit production work took place in 1996 on Ginuwine's hit "The Bachelor." Since then he had become known as one of Aaliyah and Missy Elliott's go-to producers. Timbaland made significant contributions to hip-hop, but perhaps his greatest impactful contribution was Sample Magic software which allowed users to record vocal and instrumental lines before editing them to compose new songs. The program revolutionized music production and recording processes while giving artists more freedom in exploring their sound while producing and recording new variations of existing tracks. Sample Magic has not only assisted artists in developing and honing their sound, but it has also allowed producers to utilize the voices of deceased artists in new songs as a means to preserve their legacy and ensure their music lives on long after they've gone. On Monday at Barclays, Jay-Z demonstrated his ability to raise the emotional bar during his performance with an emotive tribute to Gloria (deceased), as well as an emotive song about his own struggles. Jay-Z made sure he connected with fans directly; giving shoutouts to various individuals in the crowd while encouraging them to sing along with him. At the conclusion of his show, Jay-Z ordered his cameraman to focus in on Gloria so as to show her off radiant smile. Timbaland’s Final Words Timbaland is one of the most iconic producers in modern music history. His legendary production skills have produced albums by artists like Ginuwine, Missy Elliott, Aaliyah and Xscape; during the 1990s his hip-hop production style became immensely influential and widespread, producing for high-profile rappers such as Jay-Z, Nas and LOX among many others. Timbaland's unique ability to combine raw wavelengths, peaks, and trebles into his beats has earned him the moniker "The Emperor of Sound." His grasp of not only music, but also audio frequency physics surpasses most non-canine listeners; he hears things others don't - like birds chirping, babies cooing, even beatboxed imitations of turntable scratches which he chops and loops to punctuate rhythmic structures. Timbaland began his musical journey by joining DeVante Swing's musical collective Swing Mob - an incubator for up-and-coming R&B singers, writers, and producers that would lead him to meeting future collaborators such as Ginuwine, Magoo, and Tweet. Timbaland continued his producing for R&B artists after the Swing Mob collective had disbanded, scoring major hits for artists like Xscape, Nicole and Playa before fully producing Missy Elliott's second album Da Real World - eventually radio started taking notice and his talents went mainstream. Even after struggling with addiction in his youth, legendary producer has managed to overcome these challenges and build an extraordinary career with perseverance and support from close colleagues and friends. He's become a mentor for young rappers while continuing to deliver life-altering sounds to listeners worldwide. Timbaland's journey is an inspiration to anyone struggling with addiction and recovery. His music speaks for itself and we congratulate the hitmaker in the hope that we'll witness even greater feats from him in years to come.