Timothy Z. Mosley (born March 10, 1972), better known as Timbaland, is an American musical composer, R&B record producer and rapper. With partner Magoo, he is a member of hip-hop duo Timbaland & Magoo.
Timbaland has been considered similar to producers such as Brian Eno, Phil Spector or Norman Whitfield in that he helped to redefine the sound of an entire genre of music with an immediately recognizable production style.
The songs he produces feature unusual arrangements, sounds, and instrumentation, tied together by a trademark sense of space and rhythm. Like Spector and Whitfield, Timbaland’s production sometimes overshadows the credited performer and becomes the actual "star" of the song.
With songwriters Steve "Static" Garrett and childhood friend Missy Elliott, Timbaland has helped to create some of the most successful songs in modern pop music and urban music, including singles for Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Utada Hikaru, Ludacris, 50 Cent, Nelly Furtado, Dima Bilan and The Pussycat Dolls.