roducer of the Late 90s/Early 00s?

Even you hate him, dismiss the talent he works with, or regard him as a plagiarist of drum n' basses finest moments; it can't be denied that Timbaland is one of the most important hip hop producers of the present day. By building his beats from the ground up, as opposed to sampling long stretches of song, and introducing a stutter funk to the hip hop game has made Tim famous. What has made him successful, however, is the fact that his beats are also diverse and always different sounding. With so much to choose from, it's hard to find no songs by Timbaland that a pop lover can't find entertaining, enjoyable, and, above all, danceable. Timbaland does have a signature style, admittedly...but it's one that is ingenious. Cram tons of sounds into one song, while maintaining a stark and gleaming sheen to the production at hand. Anytime you hear a Timbaland song for the first time it makes your head spin. Presently, Timbaland is elevating new artists Miss Jade and Shade Shiest to unexpected status based on their debut singles, "Big Head" and "Money Owners", respectively. Creating buzz for a new artist is tough to do, but Tim does it better than maybe anyone in the game. Ginuwine, Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, Bubba Sparxxx, and Petey Pablo are all prime examples of this unique ability. While neither "Big Head" or "Money Owners" is as innovative or game changing as any of the previous artists' debuts, they are both quickly becoming popular songs that fill the dance floor and have garnered a fair degree of anticipation for their upcoming albums, still weeks before their release. Neither of the MCs stand out very definitively on their tracks - Ms. Jade switches up her brash style for a more subdued one, and Shade Sheist isn't very talented - but the point is they are on Timbaland's beats, and sometimes that can cover up inadequacies in the lyrical department. Keep an eye out for Tim's brother, Sebastian, who will quickly become the most talented MC on the Beat Club when his debut album is released early next year.


Clubland

Anyone who has stepped foot in a club lately is starting to notice a startling trend. Many of the popular club anthems of today are not as bouncy and pop flavored as before. There are still bouncy club songs like "Oh Boy" and "Nothin'", but clubs are starting to play a good mix of older smashes like "Hypnotize", "Mo Money Mo Problems" and "I Get Around", and newer stuff. Nostalgia? Maybe so. But many club goers will also be surprised to hear DJs gaining success with slower songs like "One Mic" and "On My Block". In a recent trip to a club, this writer heard the crowd explode loudest for "One Mic", with a large portion of the audience singing along to Nas' passionate lyrics. "One Mic" and "On My Block" may be the most important hip-hop songs of the past year- but it's certainly a strange (and nice!) feeling to see these songs in clubs. Hopefully, they are appreciating the songs for their lyrical import, as well as their production.


Videos

Is it just me or have videos recently gone downhill in quality? The late eighties to mid ninties held a fondness for grainy footage and dark videos like early Nas, Wu-Tang, Eric B & Rakim and Redman videos, but today, videos seem to be a massive orgy of shiny things, hot women, and poor music. Perhaps it's just me. Congratulations go to groups like Slum Village on their video "Tainted" in their attempt to change up this trend of glitz, glamour, and emptiness. "Tainted" was recently seen at #5 on the 106 & Park Countdown, a great number for a previously underground Detroit group. Unfortunately, their album isn't very good. But, hey, I can enjoy the single, can't I? Among the crap like the new Big Tymers song, the Smilez and Southstar "Who Want This" mockery of hip hop, and the Archie Eversole "We Ready" massacre, this video stands out. Congratulations to SV, hope you guys go far.


Song Of The Week

Trick Daddy feat. Cee-Lo and Big Boi - "Dro in the Wind"

Trick Daddy finally got smart and recruited some real talent for one of his songs. It's one of his hardest performances, coupled with one of the years best beats. Adding on on the year's best verses (courtesty of Big Boi) and this song ends up being one of the highlights of the summer.