Even the people you didn't see were making the news in Las Vegas over last weekend. Ashlee Simpson had a sneak peek preview of her new album coming out in November. Here's the article:
****Hanging out at the recording studio on the third floor of the Fantasy Tower at the Palms Casino Resort, Simpson has her recording crew keeping her company, from Timbaland — who pops by for a hug — to Jim Beanz, J Roe and King Logan. "These are my boys," she says as an introduction. Meanwhile, a new sound from Ashlee is banging on the speakers, a more tribal, dangerous, seductive sound, filled with beats and synth lines. "Here, in the dark, is where I find the light," she sings, in a slow, slinky way. "I've got a monkey on my back, get it off," she then sings in a near-rap. "I get away with murder," she drawls. Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes sneaks in a rap about how she has "diplomatic immunity."
The song is called "Murder," and it might be her first single. It's one of six songs she recorded in Los Angeles over the past few months with VMA maestro Timbaland and crew, while she has seven others completed with Chad Hugo of the Neptunes and Kenna. The Timbo tracks — the ones she previews at the Palms, at least — make it sound like a reinvention (à la what the producer did for Nelly Furtado) is in the works. One non-Timbaland track, "Follow You Wherever You Go," is what her father Joe calls her "Broadway thing" — a jazzed-up number inspired by her work in the West End production of "Chicago". Ashlee might call her alter ego Vicky, but there's a bit of Roxie in her now too.****
Full MTV Article
Here Ashlee talks briefly about the project with Jim Beanz at her side:
You can also hear a snippet of the Timbaland produced track "Murder".
Now while MTV gives you the surface, The Chronicles takes you deeper. Yes Jim Beanz is working on the project and you can bet he will only continue his ingenious vocals and vocal production for the pop star. 6 tracks from Timbaland? Actually it's King Logan of The Royal Court who will be producing those 6 tracks with Tim co-signing including "Murder" which I think is a giant step forward for the King, showing that he can break out of the Tim's sound and create his own. We'll definitely be giving you more news about this porject as it becomes available.
Big thanks to our weekly contributor Bigmac for the article.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Ashlee Simpson gets 6 from Timbaland
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Rare Reels
We haven't done one of these in awhile:
I wonder if Tim still has that bus? 1 guess what track Nore and Timbaland are talking about.
Celine & Colplay + Timbaland a rumor?
We reported here on The Chronicles about news of a possible Timbaland & Celine Dion collabo and Timbaland & Coldplay collabo. New articles released recently about both their new albums seem to suggest that that's all it was: a possibility.
As far as Celine Dion there was even rumors that Tim gave his "Eyes On Me" track for Samantha Jade to Dion instead but that simply isn't the case. Billboard just released an article on Dion's new album:
****As the process of recording her first major studio release in four years reaches its climax, Celine Dion is already calling the upcoming "Taking Chances" her favorite English-language album. Due Nov. 13 via Columbia, the set is led by its title track, which is headed to radio imminently. The track was written by Kara DioGuardi and Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, and produced by John Shanks.
The new album certainly represents a sonic step forward for Dion, who must be eager to search out a fresh direction after singing mostly the same songs for the past four years during her sold-out "A New Day" show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Other collaborators on the disc include ex-Evanescence guitarist Ben Moody, Kristian Lundin, Anders Bagge, Peer Astrom, Linda Perry, Ne-Yo and Aldo Nova.
Among confirmed tracks are a hard-driving cover of Heart's "Alone"; the Middle Eastern-flavored "Eyes on Me," produced by Lundin; "This Time," a moody percolator written by Moody with David Hodges; the ballad "A Song for You," produced by Bagge; and the blues-drenched "The Woman in Me."****
Coldplay also does not mention working with Timbo let alone having him produce their entire album as previously reported:
"We're still a few months from finishing but already the arguements about tracklisting have begun. The plan has always been to make a short record. No more than 42 minutes. 9 songs (give or take)......It's not simply about individual talents, but overall cohesion and combined effectiveness. The bigger picture. An album that you can listen to from start to finish. The danger of this is that great songs may get left off the album because they don't 'fit'. I have to confess that as a confirmed non-musician, this approach slightly worries me....
If that means eight thrash metal tracks and one ballad then so be it...expect a short, concise record with no fat and at least two top-division songs released independently."
Will Tim be the one behind at least one of those top division tracks? Guess we'll wait and see what transpires.
AYO Technology credits
Ayo Technology feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland
(C. Jackson, T. Mosley, N. Hills, J. Timberlake)
Produced by Timbaland for Timbaland Productions, Inc. & Co-produced by Danja for Danjahandz Productions, Inc.
Recorded by Demo @ Hit Factory Criteria, Miami, FL, Pressure Point Studios, Chicago, IL. & Studio 7303 Houston, TX.
Additional recording by Ian Stewart & Gary Hadfield @ Blueprint Studios, Manchester, UK.
Mixed by Demo @ Legacy Studios, NYC, NY & Hit Factory Criteria, Miami, FL.
Assisted by Seamus "Shameless" Tyson
Just in case ya'll wanted the info. Thanks to Dr. Nep for the info!
B5, Britney, Duran Duran oh my
With all the excitement of the VMAs still going on I thought I'd switch it up for a minute and give you all some full and HQ versions of a lot of tracks we've been mentioning over the last coupe of weeks. With no further ado here they are:
Duran Duran "Skin Divers"
Duran Duran "Night Runner"
Britney Spears "Gimmie More"
B5 "Teardrops" (The beat is hot but damn those vocals are awful. Looks like I'll be picking up this album today for the credits)
Monday, September 10, 2007
The VMAs Post (updated)
Pics (Thanks Timbalandchick!):
Looks like Danja and Tim are ok in this pic :)
HIGHLIGHTS:
-Timbaland's Chris Brown medley-hear him talking during "Billy Jean"?
-Tim's intro to Linkin Park's "Bleed It Out"--hot beat.
-Tim and Justin's performances of "AYO Technology" and "Chop Me Up".
-Tim giving Justin Best Male Artist award.
-Wale's performance after Chris Brown.
-TIM'S MEDLEY
-Nelly Furtado-Do It
-D.O.E., Sebastian, Tim & Keri Hilson-The Way I Are
-Justin Timberlake-Love Stoned
-NEW TIMBALAND BEAT!
-Nelly, Justin & Tim-Give It to Me
Britney Spears "Gimmie More" (That's your comeback performance???!)
50 Cent & Justin "AYO Technology"
50 Cent & Justin "Chop Me Up"
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Timbaland talks with Ryan Seacrest
Here's a VERY interesting radio interview Timbo did with Seacrest where he talks about "The Way I Are", the VMAs, and his views on Britney's new track.
Timbaland talks to Ryan Seacrest
Times have definitely changed haven't they? A couple months ago Tim was talking about how he wanted to bring Britney back, how he felt sorry for her, how the public should leave her alone, and how he and Justin were going to work with her. There was even reports of Justin and Britney doing a Timbaland produced duet together.
Fast forward to present day and now Britney's new song is "ok", it isn't worthy of opening the VMAs (versus "crunk" music which Tim feels should open the show), she has no hype, and there is no way Britney, or anyone for that mattter, can compete with Timbaland aka "King Arthur." It also seems as though Tim isn't happy Danja and Britney worked together alone verus the whole "family" that included Justin and Timbaland.
Tim talks about Danja being one of his producers "under" him. Then he talks about how he groomed Danja for 3 years yet he continually points out how he hasn't heard the song and people aren't saying much about it. You haven't heard your #1 producer's, who's been under your tutelage for 3 years, new song with one of the most talked about celebrities in the world?
Seems as though the Tim and Danja collaboration days are coming to an end...
Friday, September 7, 2007
Timbaland at the VMA rundown
MTV talked with Timbaland about his feelings on the VMAs and here's what he had to say:
****"No award show will be able to beat this award show. I'm involved with it? I'm doing it? No other show this year will be able to see it," he boasted. "People are gonna be sick. The other shows are going to be coming up to me like, 'Timbaland, can you? ... No, I cannot. I will not.'
"I'm overseeing the music — the intros, outros, middle breaks," Tim — donning a waaay old-school white wig — explained Thursday (September 6) at the Palms Casino Resort. He was holed up in the Studio at the Palms, the resort's very own recording studio, where he — and other artists, like Lil Jon — have worked recently. "I did all the music [for the VMAs], so it could sound like a Timbaland production," Timbo said.
He played the MTV News crew a track he made specifically for the beginning of Chris Brown's set. It sounded like Middle Eastern swing meets a historically black college's marching band in a European nightclub ... mixed with some sound effects from a ColecoVision video game for good measure.
Speaking of surprises, Timbaland wasn't aware of Thursday's big news: that Britney Spears will open the extravaganza with a performance of her new single, "Gimme More." "We'll see," he said about how he thinks Britney will do. "Maybe she's got a point to prove."****
Full Article
Good old Tim always keeping it humble ha! Yes Britney Spears will be opening the show with her Danja produced track "Gimmie More" which is everywhere these days. Criss Angel the magician will also be performing with Britney. You can check MTV for more details.
Now on some exclusive Chronicles news D.O.E will be joining Tim, Keri, and Sebastian for their performance at the VMAs. They will be closing the show with a melody of hits. Nelly Furtado will start with "Do It" adding Sebastian and D.O.E, then Timbaland and Keri will join in for "The Way I Are, and finally Justin Timberlake and Tim performing one of their hits, I'm not sure which one yet.
Make sure to check out the performance this Sunday at 9PM Eastern and yes I'm hoping some of us record it too so we can post it for everyone else.
How big is "The Way I Are"?
- Top 10 song in over 20 countries
- #1 Pop 100 and Pop 100 Airplay song in America for the 2nd week in a row
- Winner of Teen Choice Award
- Nominated for Monster Single of the Year for VMAs
- Being performed at the VMAs by Tim, Keri, D.O.E, and Sebastian
That's what I call a global hit record. You all voted, the label listened, and look at the song now. Power to the people!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Star Wars & Timbaland
Big A asked posted his possible sample and Nick followed up with his possible sample so in the spirit of things I thought I'd join in the fun and post my possible sample. I'm sure Czar is laughing at all 3 of us now as he kicks back and makes his sample mix 9. Anyhow let's all take a look at Timbaland's Shock Value.
The track is question is Tim's "Throw It On Me" featuring The Hives. Now though the sample can be heard off the album version of the track, I didn't recognize it until the Timstrumental came out. As you all know I am a man of sounds so with that said really listen to the "Throw It On Me" instrumental and register all the sounds in the track, got them?
Straight away I knew the sample, it's from Star Wars, technically Star Wars IV the first one released. I knew the exact scene and could hear the sound being played in my mind, I just didn't know how I was going to record it to show you guys. Well that's where the power of youtube comes in. Take a look at the very first scene from this video with Obi-Wan Kenobi:
Hear it? I feel pretty confident that Tim used this sound but there's a chance I could be wrong. I know this can't be the first time Tim sampled the Star Wars movies, in fact there have even been rumors of a certain Jay-Z hit being sampled from one of the movies. Guess we'll have to wait and find out.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
B5 & Danja (and possibly Timbaland)
Consisting of 5 brothers ages 13 to 19, B5 hit the music scene back in 2005. Often compared to N*Sync and other boy bands, B5 was looking to create their own sound. Their self titled debut album was a success and soon the guys were all over teen magazines making the young ladies swoon. They went on tour with everyone from Ginuwine to Usher gaining experience and music industry knowledge from the veterans. With a very successful mall tour and joint ventures with Disney's High School Musical, B5 has kept the their audience's hungry for new material intact.
It's now 2007 and B5 has a new album Don't Talk Just Listen looking to give Kanye and 50 Cent some competition on September 11th. Signed to Diddy's Bad Boy Records, their first single "Hydrolics" feat. Bow Wow is climbing up the charts. They have a new look, some much needed edge, and some top notched production for the album including the Souldiggaz, Brian Cox, the Underdogs, will.i.am, Danja, and rumored Timbaland as well.
B5's song "Teardrops" windows media / zshare is confirmed to be produced by Danja. However in an interview, Bryan of B5 also says Timbaland was a part of the track:
****J Dot (UBG): What are your individual favorite songs from the new CD?
Bryan: One of my favorite songs is “Teardrops” produced by Timbaland and Danja. I like it because the beat is just so crazy and I just love everything about the song including the melody.*****
Source
In another interview Timbaland is also mentioned as a contributing producer to their album:
****BET.com:What producers did you work with on this album?
CARNELL: We worked with Bryan Michael Cox, the Underdogs, Will.i.am., Souldiggers, Mario Winans, and Timbaland. We're real excited about it.****
Source
So what role does Timbaland have in the track? I'm not sure yet, possibly additional production but Danja is confirmed as the producer with Corte Ellis as the writer. The track definitely has that "My Love" feel to it along with those classic Danja synths. Big thanks to my investigating partner Bigmac for the info.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Justin Timberlake's performaces on HBO
Here's a bunch of Justin's tracks from last night's HBO performance:
"Chop Me Up" featuring Timbaland
"My Love"
"Until The End Of Time"
"Future Sex Love Sounds"
It was a great performance and it made me even more jealous that I am not going to get the chance to see it. The stage looks insane! Thanks to Macedes for the videos.
Timbaland Sued Over "Big Pimpin" Melody
****Another song produced by superstar rapper Timbaland is in question, as rap star Jay-Z and the producer have been hit with a lawsuit over the single "Big Pimpin."
Copyright co-owner Osama Admed Fahmy filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Federal Court, claiming that Timbaland illegally replayed portions of "Big Pimpin" note-for-note, using a melody lifted from the song "Khosara, Khosara" which was written by composer Baligh Hamdi and performed by Egyptian star Abdel-Halim Hafez in 1957.
"Big Pimpin," which is taken from Jay-Z's hit album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter also features Texas rap legends UGK and hit #1 in 1999.
Jay-Z, Timbaland, Linkin Park, EMI Music Inc. are among the defendants named in the lawsuit over the hit single, which was also mashed up on Linkin Park's song "Papercut" on the EP Collision Course.
On August 3, 2007, a similar lawsuit was dismissed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, when EMI won a summary judgment in the case.
Plaintiff Ahab Joseph Nafal also sued Jay-Z, Timbaland Productions, Linkin Park, EMI Music Inc., EMI Music Publishing, Ltd. and EMI Blackwood Music, claiming that the artists infringed on the copyright to "Khosara, Khosara."
Lawyers argued that "Khosara, "Khosara" was created in 1957 and was governed by the 1909 Copyright Act and not the 1976 Copyright Act.
The lawsuit was subsequently dismissed because Nafal failed to join all individuals with rights to the composition in the lawsuit, as the 1909 Act mandates.
Other copyright owners of "Khosara, Khosara" include Magdi El-Amroussi, owner of the legendary Soutelphan (Voice of the Artist) record label, which launched in 1961 and ironically, operates as a unit of EMI Arabia.
The original lawsuit was filed in April of 2005.****
Source
Also peep this interesting read
Abdel-Halim Hafez vs. Timbo/Jay-Z
Monday, September 3, 2007
Think you had enough Britney & Danja?
Well we have more for you! I know I know Boogie this isn't a Britney site but this is a Timbaland and affliliates site so we have to give shine where it's deserved and Danja is the man of the hour right now as is another mysterious guest. Here are 2 more tracks produced by Danja. They are reportedly demos from 2005 but that is yet to be 100% confirmed:
"Got Me High"
"Break The Ice"
Now everywhere else on the net you will see a track labeled as "Been A While" but only here on The Chronicles will we give you the real deal. The track is really called "Break The Ice" and who is that mysterious guest singer in the background? You guessed it none other than my man Jim Beanz. Beanz strikes again!
Both tracks are dope in my opinion but the one that really stands out is "Got Me High." The chorus is sick and girl can bring some sexy to any track. Is Britney back? I'd say so and it's great to see Danja being the one to bring her back. You can bet his star is only going to get brighter from this project.
The word is still out on if Danja produced "Cold As Fire" (The Yeah Song). I agree with anyone who says Danja produced it but as I posted, MTV reported that T Pain "knocked out" 3 tracks with Britney inclduing "Cold As Fire." Does "knocked out" mean produced? I would think so but maybe it does mean wrote or vocally produced. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
What do you all think of the new tracks? Big props to Fonky!
Kanye West//GRADUATION album credits
BossPlayya checkin in.
Now, I'm a fiend when it comes to the credits....yeah, yeah...I know they ain't always correct, but it's something about seein ur favorite artists', or in this case fave producer's name in writing. Kanye dropped Tim's name in an interview a while back, but now it's confirmed...and it's not just STRONGER, but also GOOD LIFE...we know thats the next single, so when that instru drops it's a Timstru by default right?
As an aside, it's good to see Kanye and Jon Brion maintained a relationship beyond the last record, and Toomp drops some serious tracks. Maybe hats why he was too busy for T.I.
Here go the credits.
01.Good Morning - produced by Kanye West
samples Elton John//SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT
02.Champion - produced by Kanye West and Brian Miller
samples Steely Dan//KID CHARLEMAGNE
03.Stronger - produced by Kanye West, Additional Programming by TIMBALAND
samples Daft Punk//HARDER BETTER FASTER STRONGER and Edwin Birdsong//COLA BOTTLE BABY
04.I Wonder - produced by Kanye West, Strings by LARRY GOLD
samples Labi Siffre/MY SONG
05.Good Life - produced by Kanye West and Toomp, Additional Drum Programming by TIMBALAND, vocals by T-Pain, Ne-Yo and John Legend
samples Michael Jackson//PYT
06.Can't Tell Me Nothing - produced by Kanye West and Toomp
07.Barry Bonds - produced by Nottz
samples Mountain//LONG RED
08.Drunk And Hot Girls - produced by Kanye West and Jon Brion
samples Can//SING SWAN SONG
09.Flashing Lights - produced by Kanye West and Eric Hudson, Strings by LARRY GOLD
10.Everything I Am - produced by Kanye West, Scratches by DJ Premier
sample Public Enemy//BRING THE NOISE and Prince Phillip Mitchell//IF WE CAN'T BE LOVERS
11.The Glory - produced by Kanye West, vocals by John Legend and Mos Def
samples Laura Nyro//SAVE THE COUNTRY and Mountain//LONG RED
12.Homecoming - produced by Kanye West and Warryn Cambell
13.Big Brother - produced by Toomp
14.Good Night - produced by Kanye West, Jason Miller and AL BE BACK
samples U-Roy//WAKE THE TOWN and NUFF MAN A DEAD
15.Bittersweet Poetry- produced by Kanye West
Nottz and Kanye each sampled the same song....BARRY BONDS and THE GLORY. Y'all hear it?
please note that tracks 14 and 15 are bonus tracks on the Japanese release.
and here is GOOD LIFE ft. T-Pain w/ additional vocals by John Legend and Ne-Yo....additional drum programming by TIMBALAND (i know there was a reason why i felt this song)
Kanye West//GOOD LIFE
No Tim on HBO
If any of yall are watching the Justin concert on HBO, they unfortunately cut out Tim's 20 minute interlude. Maybe they'll put it on the DVD extras?
"Cop That Shit" Sample?
Since Big-A's been posting his sample theories, Ima post mine. This track was made in the 80s, and I'm not gonna say the name lest Tim get 500 more lawsuits on his ass. Sounds familiar though, you decide...
Sound familiar?
New D.O.E. interview on Dubcnn.com
You wanna get an update what D.O.E. is doin? Peep the interview on the #1 page on the westcoast. Big ups to my man Rud and last but not least Nima who did this phoner for this opportunity to get D.O.E.'s name out there.
D.O.E. interview
****Dubcnn: How did you hook up with Timbaland?
Well, I was on the mixtape scene, and I had a mixtape out there called "Me-Unit", it was a parody of "G-Unit". It got into the hands of Harve Pierre, and Harve took it to Tim's lawyer. Harve Pierre is the vice president of Bad Boy Records. He took it to Tim's lawyer, he took it to Tim, and when Tim heard it, that was all she wrote! He flew me down to Miami, we did a couple of tracks, and he was like "yeah, this feels right".
Dubcnn: I was about to ask you how the feedback was for "Way I Are".
The feedback is crazy! Like, you don't see the video too crazy, well I don't see the video too crazy cause I don't watch TV, so not a lot of people recognize me, but when that song comes on, I could be anywhere, I could be in a bar, in a club, anywhere, and the song comes on, and people just start saying "Babygirl..." and start going crazy! I could be anywhere, at a gas station, and hear people pull up playing the record. It's just crazy, and I'm looking at them like "wow, they have no clue. They don't even know who they sitting next to, they don't even know who they looking at right now!" Some people look at me like "I know that face!"
Dubcnn: Any idea around when we could expect the album?
My album is coming out tomorrow! *laughs* They told [me] in the first quarter. They're about to put something out on Keri Hilson right now so she can ride that wave and we just gonna piggy back everything, cause "The Way I are" is huge right now. I just dropped my buzz single "From The Bottom To The Top", but from the reaction it's been getting since it's been out, it's been like "wow!" So the single might take me further than expected. I got a bunch of heat man. I think Hip-Hop really really needs me. People say Hip-Hop is dead, I don't think it's dead, I think it's wounded and it needs a healing.****
Also in case you all haven't checked it out, D.O.E has launched a youtube page called D.O.E. Films that has a range of tracks throughout his career including some dope mixtape songs with Busta and Lil' Kim. Definitely take a look! Also "The Way I Are" was the #1 Pop 100 and #1 Pop 100 Airplay track in America this last week! Let's hope it continues it's success.
Justin Timberlake and Timbaland on HBO tonight
Tonight at 9PM on HBO. They will have it on demand starting Tuesday in case you missed it. If anything watch it for Timbaland's set which I've heard from so many different people from around the world is incredible! With a HQ version of the performance being released you know that means we'll be getting our hands on the HQ version of all the new Timbo tracks exclusively created for the concert. Check it out tonight!