Timbaland talks to Ebro in the Morning about Empire, Culture, Drake, Missy, Producers & More! CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE: bit.ly/12lN6vb HOT97: www.hot97.com TWITTER: / hot97 FACEBOOK: / hot97official
+Its 12AM where I'm at theres a difference, you can tune into a radio show at a certain time and skip the radio songs. so its true. i play everything off internet / spotify.
+Its 12AM where I'm at Yeah well your not listening to him say it on the radio your listening to him say it on radio on youtube. Which is what Rosenberg was saying, kids only know of hot97 and them because they put these videos up on youtube. They're not listening to the radio.
Dude said the criticism was real during the 90s. You want to know why? We had STANDARDS!! The more you lower the bar, the more bullshit you let in. Nobody can tell me the 90s wasn't the artistic peak of hip hop/rap. It was. We had such a tremendous diversity of artists and sounds. I miss it. I don't care about the sound changing for the new generation, but I just hate to see the fundamentals get tossed aside. Hell, there is a lot of music I like from generations earlier than mine, because the fundamentals were there. We have largely discarded the fundamentals of what makes great music and artists. Timeless shit.
Robert Cox yeah and all the movies suck now and all the books. only media that was good was the stuff you liked growing up! Never heard that one before....
Kaizen Supreme c'mon. the fact that Run The Jewels is one of the hottest acts right now tells me people want fundamentals and always will. 90's spend best to you because that's when you were growing up and going through a ton of emotions. 80's are best to someone 20 years older than you. 00's are best to someone who grew up then.
What a complete 180 degree turn on an opinion. This is the same Timbaland that recently dissed Drake for doing all of that creepy Aaliyah material, AND who had critiqued the blandness of modern urban music hoping that it will change soon. Now he's all like, 'Oh well, were old people from the 90s/Early 2Ks, so its difficult for us to understand what teens are into day, but its still good'. Nope, its not. Its clear that urban music (especially American) has been brutally watered down for mass appeal and that he's just being pragmatic so he can continue selling. Disappointing.
YaYa Man YaYa Man lol @ "watered down for mass appeal"... Ellen Degeneres got Migos performing a song about cooking crack in a crockpot on her show to soccer moms. Shit would've never happened 10-20 yrs ago. I think Tim's right, culture changes. At least it goes both ways... Prodigy performed Shook Ones on Jimmy Fallon a few weeks back. Never would've seen Mobb Deep on Jay Leno
linop412 naw man atleast Dre is still producing hip hop. I love timbo but his foundation is more in pop than dre. We'll probably never see a dre and Drake colab because Dre still has really high standards in making hip hop records. Dres problem is just consistency with releases. He never puts out a dud
Jamie Smith Yes, and migos in real life can probably relate to soccer moms more than he can street hustlers. And dumbing down yhe world has no discrimination
Manny fresh said a very similar thing back in 2012. the super producers are pretty much obsolete now. now, "producers" are just going into a program, making a beat, and selling it to the highest bidder. back in the day, a rapper was in the studio WITH the producer and they figured out what worked for that particular artist. it was custom made for THAT ARTIST and it was a true collaborative effort, which usually translated into a hit
+osvaldo socorro i may think the same about lady gaga but i have no reason to hate her so why would drake get so much negativity.. Infact aside from the fact music is subjective so there is no wrong answer, either drake is good and deserves to be where he is or he isn't good and still he made money with no talent, either way no one here can be mad at another mans success. If you are then perhaps you spend a little too much time watching another mans moves and not enough on yourself.
2002 was a terrible year for Timb. Timbaland made his best music between 97 and 99. Aaliyah's second album, 100% Ginuwune, Playa's first album, Missy's first two albums...
+Mario Fletcher if youngins go back and listen to early Ginuwine (especially 100% Ginuwine) and Playa they will see exactly where the greatness of Justin Timberlake to Bryson Tiller's music comes from.
+CoolAss Tuck Tim was going through alot with the passing of Aaliyah in that era of time. He even admitted it too, said he was lost creatively and unmotivated. He said working with Justin (on Justified and FutureSex/LoveSounds) is what woke him out of the trance so to speak. But even his worst year is alot of ppls best year. alot of great tracks did come out of 2002-2004 from Tim, but Rosenberg is tripping if he thinks that was Tims best year. Ebro knows that Tim doesnt like or want to talk about that era. and Ebro knows why too. We have to ignore Rosenberg sometimes when he isnt wearing his tinfoil hat.
Bruh these two no names look madder and madder as the interview gets further in lmao . They really thought they would get some shine from old man Ebro???? No handouts
+YOUNG THUGGER TENDERONI Hahaha right?! like when they were talking about the hits from the early 2000's, and they talked about 'Headsprung' by LL Cool J, and Ebro & Rosenberg said that they found ''They call me big L…'' corny etc., and that no one ever called LL Cool J like that… + who gives a shit about, if he said that in the beginning of the song, and what do they know if someone ever called him like that… Such a dumb statement by them two!! The song is still the BOMB today, and was produced by Timbo and LL Cool J is a Hip Hop Legend… and then they kept talking about Aaliyah, and we all know that Timbo doesn't like that much to talk about her openly and makes him sad… (R.I.P Baby Girl) like Ebro even said that Timbaland doesn't like to talk about the year 2002, but Rosenberg just went on after all… :/
That shit was horrible, if anyone wants to hear some real lyricism from a true emcee, check out my ''freetrials'' on my channel... too many to choose from.
I am not a music snob.. I am always open to new sounds and especially new artists and styles. I spent 14 years at one of L.A.'s legacy hip-hop, R&B, Pop stations... Still, what the host is saying about the lack of interesting music today in the genre is real. I am not impressed. Awaiting the next thing to restore my faith in creative musicality. It's coming...I trust that.
In the 2000's and before, u had to actually produce a beat that sounds unique. Now things are too predictable, u either add traps beats, or use dj mustard types of beats or/and use auto-tune. That's it. U already know what it will sound like before goin in the studio.
Nah, you were just younger then so everything always seemed new. You get older, everything starts to sound familiar just because you know where it came from, you've heard thousands more tracks than you had back then. There's no 'golden age', just youthful naivety.
Studied this man many many yrs. Gotta learn from greats to be a great. And what made him great was that he stood out. A lot of producers today sound like everyone else imo. If most producers going right, id rather go left.. in a DOPE way.
Timb is a legend, he can do whatever he wants from this point on. I think he knows these two aren't incredible, but the point is that he's creating a University of sorts to help guide and develop. Goal is that they leave with oportunity & a better understanding of how to maneuver the industry.
i agreed with everything until he said I had to get a snapchat. The more detached you are from social media, the more your artistry shows thru ya music
+Jordan Clemons I agree. Tim and Missy used to not listen to the radio before they made her albums and that was when they were at their most creative. It was the same way when they were under Devante. They didn't listen to the radio or other music.
I'm 21 and I don't understand what is so special about Drake. I'm not even talking as a hater, I genuinely wanted to like Drake's music, I just don't get what the big deal is. I'm a music lover. He just seems like he had a good year or two and is just riding the waves of whoever is trending or whatever sound is trending just so he can hang in long enough until he's been a household name for at least a decade which isn't that impressive if you have to rely on just doing feature after feature with trendy artists. I just don't get it. Not saying he isn't a descent artist, but the way people talk about him is like...what the hell is going on??? Since this is already a long annoying rant, I really hope that Missy Elliot doesn't make her comeback doing music that is trendy with my generation right now. I think everyone just appreciates good music. Snoop Dogg tried it with BUSH and look what happened. I'm seeing to many of my idols fall into the trap of trying to "stay with the times". People would be surprised at what can be popular among my generation. We generally have a love for retro, vintage, 80's, 90's, and even stuff from the early 2000's that's starting to sound like a throwback. I just don't want to see Missy Elliot like that. Her super-bowl performance was popular because of those songs and the sound it had. It was nostalgic, unique, and sounded better than 99% of mainstream music that's being released today. I just... I'm done. Timbalands for sure one of the top three greatest producers of all time and I know he wouldn't put Missy Elliot in that situation especially if his music is attached to it.
+IamAsi94 Drake writes music that is relatable across race, age, income level, and gender, while also fitting in seamlessly with current production. You can look to the past and even unknown artists in the present for good music, but to be good and currently relevant and set the tone for what is popular is hard, and Drake does that. You may not agree with what most people like (I rarely do), but Drake at the very least recognizes what people like and understands how to cater to this every time out.
I can see what you're saying about making stuff for the people and catering to what they want, but I don't see how he has set the tone for anything within the past four to five years. Plus, doesn't he use ghost writers pretty often? I can't ignore his impact on rap music in the late 2000's, he definitely created(or made popular) a sound that was different, and I could be wrong, but within the past five years I have rarely heard anything from him that has sounded different from any other trendy rapper that's out right now from the rhythm of his rapping, to the uncharismatic/monotone sound that's popular to rap with right now, etc. Which is why I kind of liked Hotline Bling. Compared to good music in general, it's a bad song in my opinion, but in the context of rap music that's out right now, I think it's pretty cool because it was at least different. Which is all you can ask for nowadays. Which is sad that just to hear something that sounds just a little bit different from everyone else is such a treasure. It's like being in a hot and dry desert, and you find a crinkled up dirty water bottle with an 8th of water that isn't really that clean but it at least get's the job done.
+IamAsi94 Aside from any subjective judgment of quality, the biggest difference between him and any other popular rapper now is that he says memorable stuff. Guys of Futures ilk make stuff that sounds good to party to, but the lyrics are mushmouthed. The lyrical guys (J Cole, Lamar) write lyrics that may look good when you read it or even sound good, but even their fans rarely repeat what they say because of the rhythm, delivery, etc. Drake has hooks and lines that incorporate into venacular on a daily basis. Meek just tried to diss 50 cent on instagram, while using a line that Drake dissed him with as a part of his slang (twitter fingers). Pretty absurd stuff. Im a little older than you, and when I was younger I had the same critical eye towards cookie cutter music. Now, I hear how Timbaland regards Drake and I get it. Drake makes cookie cutter stuff as you note, but he knows how to deliver what he says in an entertaining and memorable way more often than the rest. But like timbaland said, even guys with a proven sound have to switch it up. I think Drake is headed more in the "hotline bling" island/reggae sound direction, and who knows whether people will gravitate towards it or not.
This interview broke my heart and hurt my soul. I've been making instrumentals for over 15 years. I share my instrumentals with a select few and people tell me to send it to labels, stations or make a mixtape... I know better though... people want what they know. Soundcloud was a bust, hearthis was a bust, bandcamp was a bust, etc.. Either I suck or people not ready for me... and I stay at the top of the listener list but people don't heart or like my shit. Lastly, I get MAAD pms about unrecocnized talent [a lot of it spam, others genuine people asking to get certain instrumentals]. I've produced for people globally, work in more than one genre and people won't know my shit because they don't wanna hear new stuff, until the new stuff gets put on as acceptable to listen to. I have learn to invest in marketing myself and be an engineer because I won't receive the same opportunity as simply a beat maker. Lastly, I know I will be under paid, and greats like Timb who paved the way will admit that the method to stardom as a producer isn't like it was. I'm an artist, I never cared to conform... I do adjust and evolve but now my music is a hobby. Fuckin shame! It hurts.
reading this struck a chord with me. Not in a bad way either, i absolutely agree. I'm beginning to realize that when you have a unique sound, you have to take a page out of old school Timbaland's book and surround yourself with artist that want something unique as well. They push and strive to keep fro conforming to the typical sound and idea of "artistry". His sound was unique because not only did he present a new creative sound but he also had the artist in his camp that believed in his sound and shared similar aspirations to present their sound. I say, keep doing your thing, and look for artist that are serious about their craft and trying to get on the map regardless of having a unique sound.
I respect Tim but I don't agree with what he said about "we don't have producers anymore".. Music production is a lot more condense now and the typical image you may have of Dre or Tim in a studio with a ton of equipment is not necessary to make quality music which is why many of them including himself have switched to software or at least implemented it in their creative process. Even his recent joint he did for Pusha T "Untouchable" was sampled followed by programed drums. The song is dope and by no means am I throwing shade but he has to realize times have changed and even if music seems more simplistic now there are still a lot of producers that actually play instruments (if that's what he's referring to) like Ryan Leslie, Jon Bellion, London on the track, Zaytoven and even Scott Storch is making a comeback. Lastly, even though I should have said this first; how do you define the difference between a producer and a programer? Is it based on your musical abilities without outside dependeacy such as samples or co producers or is a producer just a programer with vision?
Thanks Ebro and Rosenberg for one of the best interviews ever. Timbo shared some true talk about the industry, specifically the trends that he's been a part of. Wished he would've spoke about his work on that last MJ project but anywayyyyyyyy, great segment.
Many old school producers think that because you are not "pounding" on an Akai MPC drum machine like a freaking MONKEY, or using hardware (synthesizers) placed on "racks," (as opposed to virtual synthesizers), you are not a "real" producer. They are idiots, and angry that the ability to make music has become streamlined, more affordable, and available to more folks. They are "dinosaurs" that are resistant to the technological changes that have entered the music industry. Being a producer is no longer the expensive "gate-keeping" profession it once was. Out.
Tink kinda flopped though. Time last track "UFO" was garbage. He's saying the decadence of our culture is "the future" I still respect and love my nigga but I think his high seat in the industry is kind of blurring his thought frame. I noticed King stay king was mostly garbage too and nobody on social media talks about it. he gotta step back and really look. and people gotta stop stroking his ego. He aint drop no jewels in this interview he just kissed niggas like chief keep and young thug asses for an hour and calling men who care about the quality of music "OLD". Constructive criticism
Love Timbo but he is becoming more and more delusional with time. Rap will ALWAYS require one to be able to rap we cannot brush off the bullshit of this generation as evolution otherwise the culture will be perverted to the point of destruction no longer a pure science just like all the other things of our culture we allowed to be destroyed. Timbo said these guys were the future? I hope not. Swagg my ass,you gotta put your words together correct otherwise what's the point. All the gruntin and rockin back and forth and side to side but ain't sayin shit? FOH. Timbo really put his brand on the line by endorsing these dudes,notice how he used to be all hyped about Tink but when Ebro or Rosenberg mentioned her Timbo didn't even blink,wonder what's poppin with that?
I'm surprised he's saying this after how He and Missy felt about Drake taking advantage of doing an Aaliyah album with her family's permission & involvement
the program hes talking about sharing screens,, from what i know its called Team Viewer.. could be something different now a days but i use to use that wit friends on a virtual graff site...
that track from Pusha T Rosenberg is talking about is named Retribution track number 8 on king push Darkest Before Dawn: The prelude. TIMBO Just SMASHEDDD That Beat WOOOOWWWW
The ending to this interview was dope, lpl... "I'm EVERYYYWHERRE!! I MATTERR!!".... PAHAHAHAAAAAA!! Timbaland is my favorite producer. When I started making beats at the age of 14, I remember trying to remake some of his beats. This interview is almost an hour, and I NEVER sit and watch things this long... but its Timbaland... I sat my ass here and listened. Now i'm gonna make some music, like I planned on doing earlier. Dope interview.
Not every producer uses massive amount of loops and stuff. I always try to compose all my melodies and eq sounds to make new sounds. I still compose heavily on my own
sorry timbo huge fan of yours but I gotta disagree with the "no more producers" thing. been hearing some great things from some producers on the come up, especially Professor O whos super talented .. think hes gonna do some great things..
I think he meant more in the sense that these days, producers are just kinda putting beats together. And that's not even to say its a bad thing. But they probably not in the studio with the artist as the song progress, making tweaks and subtle changes. Like maybe moving the string section to the right ear a little more up making the bass line more forward. Now, the beat is just kinda made and sold to whatever artist wants it and the process ends there with the producer, or "beat programmer." That's my take on it anyway.
As a producer who got in the game in the early 00's, I totally understood what Timbo meant, and it was this: There are no more dudes that can "Produce" a complete project; meaning multi talented individuals that -can not only create music on his own, but can do it on software and\or physical hardware gear, anywhere -can also instruct and give direction to an artist with writing concepts, hooks, imagery, song structure -be able to develop music and assist other producers and help craft a personal sound -can also record, mix, or master a project in house without paying a bunch of other people to do it -can help with the overall concept of a song or album or even through out ideas about artwork and image if asked to help out -or also maybe even know what they are doing as far as marketing and distribution The difference between a Producer and a Beatmaker is no different that a company that has a General Manager and a shift "keyholder" -a General Manager has his hands in so many aspects of the business and is responsible for the overall profitability and direction of a that company, while that keyholder is just an hourly employee that has been given the task to set the alarm and lock the door. Timbo is referring to how "producers" nowadays are just a dude at home on a laptop, make a beat, email it to an artist, and will maybe get a chance to hear the finished product weeks later when the artist hits him back like "Yo, the song is done, check it on my soundcloud" I always labeled my self and others who could contribute to a project in multi phases as "Producers" -If I can take you from scratches in your notebook to a "wrapped disc with a barcode" then I did my job for you!
Henry Weis He's kind of contradicting himself the same thing that he said about the new rap generation is the same thing about the new produces there's no difference It's all for the love of music trying new things but for engineering that is where the produces could go to the next level if they were to master that themselves in as far as drake goes you can, but can't give him props because he's not writing his own lyrics but he still staying relevant but it's nothing like doing it all yourself lyricly drake ain't know king either he just got them Jews behind him In they are good at doing business but I got respect for him because he's doing what he loves..
+kmcadams91 real shit, I always liked Tim coming up but this nigga be saying shit to say it. You can be a great producer but if the artists or the writers can't put substance to it then its lackluster. RIP Static Major!!
When they started to rhyme thats DOPE ! Luvd it! And Very interesting what Timb said about how music is being made and what they sayin about Dilla. A lot of information for those who wants to get good in making music! Dope beats too! Thanx!
If Ebro would've put on a trap beat that mighta been right up they alley. No judgment everybody just ain't meant for a Cole or Kendrick type beat. I would like to see them progress though.
Timbo keeps me on point with my production.GREAT LESSON ON THE MUSIC and he is an ICON!! Now that kat with the frames is DOPE, KEEP WORKING BUT THE OTHER ONE IM NOT SURE ABOUT!!
Well, you can't deny it, 90's - early 2000's Hip Hop & R&B still remains the best… It is like it is, period! Even if there are good artists with good music out today (Kendrick Lamar, J, Cole, Joey Bada$$ etc … etc …) ;) PS: Don't forget about the DOPE beat, ahead of it's time (like a lot of Timbo's beats at that time), Timbaland produced for ''Is That Your Chick'' by Memphis Bleek feat. Jay-Z & Missy Elliott in 2000…!
+Connor Maruke (ThatsHipHop4Yaa) yes they have great albums sales but drake has more worldwide sales than nas and Dmx and he has more awards than them in
+Benjamin Patterson Timbaland is a flavour of the month ass nigga. All respects to his production talent but he just grabs artists until he is bored of them and then just kind of fades away. How many times have we seen it??
i'm an old school producer. will someone please tell me or send me a video link of a producer using loops like timbo is talking about. beats come in a package now. can someone please explain
I agree. It's like he's trying to fit in which he never did and that's what made him stand out. He's talking about evolving but it sounds like he's devolving. I would have never imagined his music would sound as bland as it does now. His beats, however he made them used to be 8s, 9s and 10s and now they're more like in the 3-6 range on a scale of 1-10.
8 лет назад
+jarkody yeah a individual can evolve but not pander towards a trend to keep relevance which timbaland is doing he's no different than all these mainstream niggas it's all money but it will bite him in the ass eventually later on
If Aaliyah hadn't died I don't think their crew would of came apart the way it did. I mean Aaliyah, Genuine, Missy and Timbaland had the game on lock up to 01'. Then after Aaliyah went it was like their group never recovered. Just couldn't replace her Talent.
Man writes the greatest percussion tracks in the history of music I swear. No one comes close to his drum programming. Maybe Darkchild. But his production is gold and straight up addicting.
