"You need to see what you are made of. I think everyone needs to go to the top and take a dip....Falling down really determines your true success. How do you get back up?" Timbaland
You know how it goes Pivot Family- 'It’s been a long time, we shouldn’t have left you, without a dope beat to step to'....Well we have that beat, as we welcome entertainment icon, Timbaland to The Pivot as he delivers a masterclass in music, resilience, and reinvention. The Grammy-winning producer sits down with Ryan, Fred and Channing to talk about his legendary career, the price of success, overcoming addiction, and the future of the industry.
Raised in Virginia, Timbaland didn’t come from a major music city, but that only made him hungrier. He breaks down how growing up with limited resources forced him to use anything available to him to create a sound that had never been heard before. As a teenager, he was shot in the neck, leaving him temporarily paralyzed on one side, but it didn't slow up his creative drive, it only sharpened his focus, clearing the way for one of the most distinct musical paths.
Ryan recounts how Timbaland, a musical mastermind, was a soundtrack to life growing up and is behind some of the most memorable hits of our times. With over 18-GRAMMY nominations, 4 GRAMMY wins and 200+ ASCAP Music awards, he shares with the guys how he understands his contributions to the music world and is grateful for working with some of the most successful and legendary artists who always brought out the best in him.
From Jay-Z’s effortless flow to Missy Elliott’s visionary and creativity, Timbaland shares what makes "the Greats" different. He breaks down how he and Missy discovered Aaliyah’s “Try Again” beat, the chemistry behind Justin Timberlake’s biggest hits, the songs he wished he released differently, his in-studio process with Jay Z and why some artists just have an energy that can’t be duplicated.
Timbaland opens up on his dark times, discussing the moment success became too much and admits that at his peak, he let his ego overpower his talent, which allowed addiction to give him a false sense of power. He recalls out-of-body experiences that made him confront how far he had fallen, the loss of reality and how ultimately, it was deep self-reflection, faith and his wife’s voice that brought him back.
Despite decades of prominence and success, Timbaland isn’t stuck in the past. He’s studying the next wave of producers, embracing change, and keeping his sound ahead of the curve. He talks about the impact of Versuz's platform that he co-created with Swizz Beatz, how new artists are still trying to replicate his blueprint, and how the secret to true success isn’t about longevity, it’s about knowing how to adapt and elevate.
This conversation takes us on a journey through music but also sheds light on lessons of falling, rebuilding, and coming back stronger than ever. As in music and in life, Timbaland’s story is proof that the real beat never stops, sometimes, you just have to find the rhythm again. Don't forget to like and follow us on your audio platform of choice.
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