When you’re one of the game’s most sought-after producers, working with somebody of your choice is usually not that difficult. Unless, of course, it’s another heavily sought-after producer you’re looking to work with.
In August, Timbaland said he was hoping he and Dr. Dre could juggle their hectic schedules long enough to work on a major collaboration.
“I want to do a Dr. Dre/Timbaland album,” he said. “We’ve been talking about that. We’re trying to do something real crazy.”
On Thursday, Tim said it looks like that project is becoming more of a reality.
“[We’ve] been talking about doing an album called Chairmen of the Boards,” said the sound sculptor, who added that his Beat Club artists as well as Dre’s Aftermath signees would be among those featured. “You’re the first person who I talked to about it. Dre has kept it under wraps, I kept it under wraps. He was going to get a couple of other [producers] like [Jermaine Dupri], but I really think it should be me and him. We’ve been talking about it for the last two months. We’ll pick artists we feel like we should do the beats for and put it out and promote it.”
Tim said he’s no longer promoting himself as a superproducer for hire. If he does give you a track and you’re not part of his Beat Club or his small group of friends, don’t expect him to give 100 percent.
“All my artists will have the best of Tim,” said the producer, who noted that Jive recording artist Petey Pablo will most likely soon be an official member of Beat Club. “Other people will have the B-side of Tim. When I say my artists, I mean Missy [Elliott] and Ginuwine too, the old and the new. The only people outside I consider part of the clique are Jay-Z and Ludacris. They’ll get an A-quality [track].
“I’m focused,” he added. “The labels done ate off the fat of the land. I see there is this whole big land that ain’t been touched, and I gotta grab all the tomatoes. That’s what I mean [when I say] I’m tired of making hits. If it ain’t for me, it don’t benefit me. It ain’t even about the money no more, it’s what your heart is into. I can’t do stuff my heart ain’t into”.
Dr. Dre could not be reached for comment.