In the song "Pork And Beans" (performed by Weezer) are the lines "timbaland knows the way to reach the top of the charts, maybe if i work with him i can perfect the art" which got me interested in who this "Timbaland" is. He is a rap singer and also produces his own stuff rather successfully along with helping other up-and-coming artists to get their careers going. On youtube, he was showing off his recording studio built into a bus so he can produce stuff "on the go". I figured I should listen to his stuff to figure out what secrets he might have "to reach the top of the charts" so I borrowed one of his albums from the library ("Shock Value"). The first thing I noticed is the typical rap artist thing of talking about himself in the lyrics often. I am not so sure that is a key to hitting the charts but it might help when played on radio stations that do not say who the artist or band or song is that they are playing. A cool name like "Timbaland" that googles cleanly (the name is not used elsewhere) also helps. I don't think Willie Nelson is a good singer but he writes his own stuff and also has written the hits that made hundreds of other artist famous. Willie Nelson also helped lots of great artists get their foothold in the music industry. With such credentials, Willie sings along with all the great singers and sells albums accordingly. This seems to be what Timbaland is doing as well. I like what Oren Otter is doing along this line with the Ottertunes internet radio and hope to join the push with a "sister" station to Ottertunes. I also noticed that most of the songs on the album include a different artist singing along with Timbaland (or instead of Timbaland) so these other artist's hits are also on Timbaland's CD too. Most of the songs could be considered a cross-over of two different types of music too. Many of the songs have humor and making fun of the song it's self to keep things fun and "accessible" and often leaving a smile on my face when I listen to the lyrics. I have not figured out any music-related common elements yet but that might change as I try to play these songs on the piano. Just a note: also typical of rap artists, the lyrics are full of "explicit content" so you have to take the strong language and innuendos if you listen to Timbaland... but I am listening for success clues outside of the "shock value" of "Shock Value". Also note that in the thank-you section of the liner notes, the first part is a thank-you to God that seems sincere.

"Thank you to God for showing me to never lose faith, when I almost did. When having the worst two years in my life, God answered my prayers and turned everything around. For those struggling with life turn your problems over to God. He is always on time just maybe not on your time." - Timbaland