Timbaland reveals why it took so long to do another collab with Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado
It's been more than 15 years since they released 'Give It to Me'
With the new song from Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado now out, we thought we'd catch up with Timbaland and Nelly to find out more about the song, 'Keep Going Up', and what it was like working together after so long.
Joining Sam Thompson on Hits UK, via Zoom, Timbaland revealed why it had taken so long to get the three of them back in the studio. "I can see it from both point of views," he told Sam.
"The best way to tell you is, and you will go through this in life, and somebody says 'why you take this long to do this?' Everything is about timing, the time that it took it was the right time. This is the right time to be together. You know what I'm saying?"
He went on to say: "Sometimes you can rush things, and then you never have it again. Forever!"
Timbaland then explained why their new song is like an appetiser! "Some appetisers, you have to chew on them a little longer," he explained. "So it's like you gotta like 'ohh this thing banging' because it's only one. You know (what) I'm saying?"
Nelly also told of the "kinetic energy" between the trio revealing what it was like to be back working with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake. She said: "Wow, it was like no time had passed. Even that first moment when Tim and I got in the studio back the first time back in 2001 or something like that, we said: ‘Hello, my name is Nelly. My name is Timbaland' and I got right on the microphone, and I wasn't even planning on singing that day. So we just had this kinetic energy between us, this kinetic creative energy."
Nelly then opened up on the production of their new song saying: "And in Miami that night? Yeah, like I had slept two hours, I think. And I just, like, changed my flight overseas to make it to this session, cause I knew that I had to, like, capture the energy Tim and I had kind of talked about on FaceTime. And then he said: ‘call me’. I have this beat. I wanted to be you and Justin Timberlake, and we recorded all night, and it was just like old times, but better. We're grown now, we're more mature, you know."
You can hear the latest song by Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and Nelly Furtado on Hits Radio.
Take a look through Justin Timberlake's collaborations:
‘Work It’ with Nelly
Released in 2003, this iconic collab saw Justin and Nelly bring us 'Work It', a boppy tune that flew into the UK Top 10 Charts.
‘Signs’ with Snoop Dogg, Charlie Wilson
In 2005, Justin teamed up with Snoop Dogg, Charlie Wilson with 'Signs'. Charting at Number Two in the UK Singles Chart, this tune was a huge hit with fans, and even featured in the film Guess Who, starring Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac.
‘SexyBack’ with Timbaland
2006 saw the beginning of a beautiful and enduring collaborative relationship between Justin and one of his most iconic co-workers to date, with none other than Timbaland on the huge hit 'SexyBack'. The song hit the Number 1 spot in the UK Charts, and became Justin's first Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
‘My Love’ and 'Dead and Gone' with T.I.
That same year, the singer teamed up with American rapper T.I. on 'My Love'. The song peaked at Number Two in the UK Singles Chart, and following such success, the pair joined forces once more in 2009 with 'Dead and Gone'.
‘Until the End of Time’ with Beyoncé
Justin amped up this originally solo song with the gorgeous vocals from Beyoncé. The dreamy song hit high in the UK Charts, gliding into the Billboard Hot 100 as well.
‘Give It to Me’ Nelly Furtado and Timbaland
'Give It to Me' was released back in 2007, thanks to the combined efforts of Justin, Nelly Furtado and Timbaland, who all wrote and featured on the song. The song hit the Number One spot in the UK Singles Chart, as well as the Billboard Hot 100.
‘Ayo Technology’ with 50 Cent
Also in 2007, the star collaborated with 50 Cent on the huge song 'Ayo Technology'. The tune proved a hit with fans, peaking at Number 2 in the UK Singles Chart.
‘Follow My Lead’ with Esmée Denters
Justin collaborated with YouTube superstar Esmée Denters in 2008 with 'Follow My Lead' and again in 2010 with 'Love Dealer'. Esmée has teamed up with other stars in the past, such as Chipmunk and Shaun Reynolds.
‘4 Minutes’ with Madonna and Timbaland
And who can forget the iconic '4 Minutes', featuring vocals from Justin, Madonna and Timbaland. The song flew to the Number 1 spot in the UK Charts, staying there for an impressive four weeks.
‘Hole in my Head’ and ‘Rehab’ with Rihanna
2009 saw the singer pair up with global superstar Rihanna, providing us with the two huge tunes 'Hole in my Head' and 'Rehab'.
‘Love Sex Magic’ and ‘G is for Girl (A-Z)’ with Ciara
These two teamed up for the catchy 'Love Sex Magic' in 2009, as well as the popular 'G is for Girl (A-Z)'. Justin and Ciara peaked at Number 5 in the UK Charts, hitting the Top 10 in the US.
‘Suit & Tie’ and ‘Holy Grail’ with Jay-Z
2009 also welcomed a collaboration between Justin and Jay-Z with 'Suit & Tie' and 'Holy Grail'. Both songs hit the UK Top 10, and have gained the pair several awards.
‘Brand New’ with Pharrell Williams
Justin and Pharrell Williams hit us with the boppy 'Brand New' in 2014. Pharrell has worked with some huge names in his time, including Britney Spears, Robin Thicke and Ariana Grande (to name a few).
‘Say Something’ with Chris Stapleton
This huge tune was gifted to us all in 2018 through a killer collaboration between Justin and Chris Stapleton. The song hit the Top 10 in both UK and US Charts.
‘Morning Light’ with Alicia Keys
In 2018 Justin teamed up with megastar Alicia Keys, with the melodic love song 'Morning Light'. The 'Girl On Fire' singer is known for some other huge collaborations, including 'Empire State of Mind' with Jay-Z and 'My Boo' with Usher.
'Stay With Me' - Calvin Harris featuring Justin Timberlake, Halsey & Pharrell
Justin appeared on Calvin Harris' sixth album 'Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2' in 2022, lending his vocals and songwriting skills to 'Stay With Me' along with Halsey and Pharrell Williams, which hit the Top 10 in the UK and was certified Silver.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
'Keep Going Up' - Timbaland, Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado and Timbaland released their new single 'Keep Going Up' on 1st September. This is the first time the three artists have collaborated since 2007.
Now read:
Justin Timberlake's career: A look back from his NSYNC days to recent projects
Justin Timberlake's biggest collaborations from Rihanna to Calvin Harris