Working with Timbaland

[thevoice]

Celine Dion taps the Timbaland touch

Updated Tue. Jul. 31 2007 11:45 AM ET

 

Constance Droganes, CTV.ca Entertainment

 

Imagine Celine Dion -- the queen of tear-jerking ballads -- decked out in weighty gold rapper chains, strutting across a stage belting out hip-hop tunes from the hood. Imagine, still, the Chanel-loving Caesars Palace singer working with golden boy rapper/producer Timbaland, the two of them souping up a new disc that marries his signature hip-hop sound with those big money-making ballads.

 

Strange but true, this unlikely pair have collaborated on Dion's upcoming album, which set hit stores this fall.

 

Will the public love Dion doing hip-hop? Apparently yes according to Timbaland.

 

After putting Nelly Furtado ("Promiscuous") and Justin Timberlake ("SexyBack") on the top of the pop heap for most of 2007, Timbaland has teamed up with the multi-million-album selling singer for her upcoming fall release. It's a strategic musical makeover -- one that blends Dion's power ballads with hip-hop, R&B and rock tunes penned by R. Kelly, Ne-Yo and other artists.

 

The question is will Dion's legions of ballad loving fans buy it -- or her new Timbaland-crafted sound?

 

"Celine's fans definitely aren't into hip-hop and R&B, so I don't know how they will receive this new album," says Justin Dumont, music director of Flow 93.5 FM in Toronto. "We could all be shocked. It's a really big stretch for her and it could completely backfire. But she and Timbaland are such incredible professionals. I couldn't imagine them releasing something that was bad."

 

"I can see Madonna working with Timbaland, which she is, and having something really great come out of it,," says David Corey, program director for Chum FM 104.5 in Toronto. "Celine doing hip-hop isn't something I'd think of given her career. Maybe it could be great. Maybe it's a case of Celine's people opting for the hottest producer, which Timbaland is at the moment."

 

Dion not new to makeovers

 

Dion certainly is not unfamiliar with the big payoff of a good makeover. In 1986, the 18-year-old fledgling francophone singer was ordered by her manager-turned-husband René Angélil to take 18 months off and revamp her image into one more palatable for the U.S. market. Her physical transformation included cutting her hair, plucking her eyebrows and having her teeth capped to cover the incisors sometimes ridiculed by the Quebec press. She also studied English to polish her performance on the talk show circuit.

 

Her boot camp efforts paid off in 1990, when the teen star turned adult chanteuse released "Unison" on Epic Records. Her duet with Peabo Bryson of the theme from Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," reached number one on the charts, scoring both a Grammy and an Academy Award. From that point on, the rise of Dion's career was meteoric, reaching an unprecedented high in 1997 when she recorded "Titanic's" chest-pounding theme song, "My Heart Will Go On."

 

For Dion, who has been making mega-millions most recently for her 600-show contract with Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Timbaland's edge combined with her extraordinary vocals could be the magic formula that puts the wife and mother back atop the music charts.

 

"Timbaland is a guy who's got a gift for writing catchy hooks and strong, catchy beats," says Corey. "The thing that makes him so interesting as an artist and a producer is that what he does is hip-hop, but not really. It's pop, but not really. It's hip-hop with a flair and that makes it appealing to listeners from either side of the fence."

 

Partnering with Timbaland a smart move

 

Choosing Timbaland to revive Dion's career was a smart move says Corey. "At any given moment there is always one hotter-than-hot producer and Timbaland is definitely that at the moment. Working with Justin Timberlake put him right up there and frankly when you've got Justin singing over Timbaland's great beat you just can't lose."

 

Born Timothy Z. Mosley, the Norfolk, Virginia native launched into his musical career in 1993. Better known at the time as disc jockey DJ Timmy Tim, Mosley's career soon took on a more successful shape after he became acquainted with Missy Elliott and MC Melvin (Magoo) Barcliff..

 

When Missy Elliott's girl group Sista was signed by DeVante Swing, Mosley went along for the ride, getting the new name Timbaland (after the popular hip-hop fashion boot) in the process.

 

Since then he has continued to work with Missy Elliott and has collaborated with a who's who of artists including as Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Ludacris, The Pussycat Dolls, Jennifer Lopez and Destiny's Child.

 

His unique blend of hip-hop and R&B rhythms earned major kudos in 1996 when R & B singer Ginuwine released his debut album, "Ginuwine...the Bachelor." Produced entirely by Timabland, its first single "Pony" gave the world a hint of what would later become the pounding, primal Timbaland sound.

 

Timbaland Tidbits :

 

Changed his name to Timbaland, after the hot, hip-hop fashion boots

Seven of Timbaland's singles received massive airplay in 2006, including Furtado's "Promiscuous," and Timberlake's "SexyBack" and "What Goes Around.../...Comes Around Interlude"

Calls himself a fan of Elton John and Fall Out Boy

Says his goal is to do universal, boundary-free music and take Top 40 tunes to the streets

 

i know it has alot to do with the english album but i thought it has too many details and new interviews - it might be wise to put it on a new topic for few days

[CSCfan]

Great article..great overview..

 

THIS will move mountains no matter what....in fact, this has already moved mountains (so imagine how it will be in a few months time)!

[one_heart_1_hart]

This will be one great release as this is spreading out very fast...

Who could Imagine indeed Celine teaming up with Timbaland

 

It seems his rol in this album is bigger then just one song...

[Filine]

There's articles about this all over the place...I can't believe it's buzzing already

[thevoice]

i think the media expects something that would never happen . celine said herself she wont change her style dramaticly and we still dont know for sure whether TIMBALAND will be part of her album eventho with this buzz going on chances r much higher .

[KimboCosmo]

Oh no! This is bringing back memories of me spending an hour reading the story of Celine and Justin hooking up over on another topic in this section! I seriously had dreams about that last night...

[Davey84]

great and honest article... I don't think Céline will make 100% hiphop, but more a good pop song with hiphop influences.

[one_heart_1_hart]

If it's buzzing so fast... Celinedion.com should make an anouncement about this...

 

I hope this is true as it would bring Celine back to the top as radiostations would start playing her again...

[nano]

wee...this is getting exiting.

Like Davey said above, Celine won't do hip-hop..more like a pop song with a hip-hop/r'n'b twist in it.

All the buzz about this collaboratin is a good promotion for Celine.

[Shamrock_1982]

If it's buzzing so fast... Celinedion.com should make an anouncement about this...

 

I hope this is true as it would bring Celine back to the top as radiostations would start playing her again...

 

 

My thoughts exactly!!!

They have been great lately (with delles) exclusives etc, but now with this hype they really should give us some news...

i just mailed them about this, so just wait and see I guess.....but it is exciting!!!

[Céline's Blues]

I think one song by timbaland won't make big difference in the quality. Céline would have needed him for ALL of her new songs. One producer, one album and it would be a classing in the making, not a patch work. these articles are ridiculous as they pick up on rumours that are a a little off saying she will be doing an RNB album. LOL! She's still Céline Dion, always good for a surprise but certainly not like they describe it to be. This will be an amazing album, surely one of her finest in English, but certainly not full RNB. Edited July 31, 2007 by Céline's Blues

[Nando Férri]

Yuhuuuuuuuuuuuu!!! Amém!!!

 

I just can't wait to have some OFFICIAL things! God makes all that true!!! lmao

[Tal]

I think the media is over-reacting a bit. Its not like she's doing an entire album with him. Just a track or two...

 

Also, look at his quote at the bottom, about wanting to do boundary free music. I think he sees working with Celine as a big challenge because no one expect them to work together. I'm also sure he has immense respect for her ability and is happy to work with her for that reason as well.

[tcherno]

first, i loved the songs from timbaland with nelly furtado and justin timberlake and i'm sure he will do great songs for celine, but the question is how many?

 

he needs to work on the whole album.

 

second, the word "REVIVE" in the article is so dramatic... i mean celine isn't away of the spotlights, she is doing all these concerts in Vegas and breaking the records there... but she is away of the events and awards in the world and tv appearances but hope the next english album and world tour will bring her to the top of the charts and album sales... she doesnt need to revive her career but only her position in the market

[SuperLove4Celine]

It shall be very interesting what kind of route this new album takes. I'm hoping for a lot of uptempo songs! I love uptempo Celine! LOL

 

...Joe...

 

PS. Remember to get those entries in for the contest running on my site. Today is the LAST DAY to enter!

[thevoice]

that's what i'm saying seb - i can already see all the articles after the release of the album - they r all expecting something that just wont be there , not like they think

[CSCfan]

Yes, but then it's too late.... the hype is already present!

I mean..at this point it doesn't matter how many tracks he's working on or if those tracks are good for that matter. All that matters now is that he IS working with Celine and it WILL change her sound. And the media feeds off that right now.. let them. We're about 3 months of the release, and the hype/media attention will only increase.

[thevoice]

only from what i know it's still NOT certain they r going to work together - it's still only a rumor .

we know for sure she is working with ne-yo and r.kelly and we know they r in talks with TIMBALAND - we still dont know for sure if she already recorded songs with him .

now with all the hype surrounding this issue i'm sure they'll re-think working together if by some reason they decided not to...

 

look what 1 blogger can do

[A New Day Has Come]

only from what i know it's still NOT certain they r going to work together - it's still only a rumor .

we know for sure she is working with ne-yo and r.kelly and we know they r in talks with TIMBALAND - we still dont know for sure if she already recorded songs with him .

now with all the hype surrounding this issue i'm sure they'll re-think working together if by some reason they decided not to...

 

i totally agree I say wait till we hear it from the website but that would be cool if it did happen i love those song s from Nelly Fertado and Justin Timber lake and all the hype is gating me excited for the new C.d. coming out in 3 months I'm so excited I love Celine's up tempo song like "sorry for my Love" I think It's going to be fantastic but you never now right so I'm keeping my fingers cross right now.

[shasti]

ok... hope all this isnt in the wake of perez's announcement's.... we knoe where that info came from...

 

but yeah, ballands with r&b good idea.... hope it works....but just dont see a small sample running thru her balland lets see...

 

i'm kinda pumped about ben moody... he's a bit off the crazy charts.... but since anastacia's everything burns... i wanted her doing smthg with him

 

eager

S

[RLAAMJR.]

I still prefer great ballad songs.

[NickMcNeel]

stop panic

Celine never make bad albums

I don't know what she will make with Timbland (1 or 2 songs)!

I believe that it would be great songs (or not very) and new album would be like A new day... as always

[Gorgeous]

Timbaland do great up-tempo ballad... "All Good Things (Come To An End)" from Nelly Furtado, remember? So... DON'T PANIC!!!

 

Nelly Furtado - All Good Things (Come To An End) | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j5_7V0DMkA

 

[celinerific]

It's scary how things get around so quickly these days. I'm actually excited all this is happening!

[Nando Férri]

Timbaland do great up-tempo ballad... "All Good Things (Come To An End)" from Nelly Furtado, remember? So... DON'T PANIC!!!

 

Nelly Furtado - All Good Things (Come To An End) | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j5_7V0DMkA

 

And "Say it right".

I just can't wait for this album!

[Lawna]

Yes! More BUZZ!!! Just what Celine needs!! The more the controversial, the better!! This album is going to be a very anticipated one by everyone!!

[Gorgeous]

Timbaland do great up-tempo ballad... "All Good Things (Come To An End)" from Nelly Furtado, remember? So... DON'T PANIC!!!

 

Nelly Furtado - All Good Things (Come To An End) | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j5_7V0DMkA

 

And "Say it right".

I just can't wait for this album!

 

Yes, I see Céline sing "Say It Right"... it will cool a song like that!!!

[A New Day Has Come]

I'm getting excited to can't wait for it to come out yeah. :clap: :w00t:

[tativale]

Timbaland do great up-tempo ballad... "All Good Things (Come To An End)" from Nelly Furtado, remember? So... DON'T PANIC!!!

 

Nelly Furtado - All Good Things (Come To An End) | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j5_7V0DMkA

 

And "Say it right".

I just can't wait for this album!

 

Yes, I see Céline sing "Say It Right"... it will cool a song like that!!!

If Celine records songs like that.... I promise that I'll throw (sp) this album in the trash!!! LOL I'm really afraid of this album.. I don't want a "one heart" part 2.

[changepas39]

i think this will put celine back into the mainstream...look at nelly furtado just another artist..and timbaland worked with her and put her at #1...so this will most likely bring Celine back to number one!