Timbaland signs deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation

Timbaland signs deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation

By Gerrick D. Kennedy

Jan. 30, 2013 12 AM PT

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation will now manage multi-platinum hitmaker Timbaland, the company announced on its website Wednesday.

“We would like to welcome Timbaland to the Roc Nation family!,” reads the caption under a photo of the innovative producer-rapper in the studio with Jay-Z.

Jay-Z, who founded the entertainment company in 2008, also posted the shot on his Life + Times blog and quoted one of their many collaborations, “Hola Hovito.” “And I won’t surrender It With Beats,” the title of the post reads.

Timblaland joins an eclectic mix of superstars the company already manages, including Rihanna, M.I.A., Santigold, Melanie Fiona, Wale, Mark Ronson and Shakira. Roc Nation also manages a slew of songwriters, producers, DJs, engineers and mixers.

Jay-Z protégé J. Cole, Willow Smith, R&B; singer Bridget Kelly, Jay Electronica and British urban pop chameleon Rita Ora have all been signed to the label.

Born Timothy Zachery Mosley, Timbaland became a go-to hitmaker in the ‘90s after groundbreaking work with Missy Elliott and the late Aaliyah. He’s crafted hits for a who’s who of music including Janet Jackson, Usher, Nas, Eminem, Nelly Furtado, Brandy, Ludacris, Jennifer Lopez, Jamie Foxx, M.I.A., OneRepublic, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z.

Recently, Timbaland and Jay collaborated on Timberlake’s comeback single, “Suit & Tie.”

Timbaland reportedly has also been prepping a third installment of his “Shock Value” series. His last album, “Shock Value II,” was released in 2009. He is signed to Interscope.

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