The Emperor of Sound: A Memoir – An Unprecedented Inside Look at a Legendary Music Producer's Extraordinary Career

by Timbaland, Veronica Chambers

The long-anticipated inside look at the extraordinary career of the man who brought Sexy Back, the legendary producer in the pantheon of music greats as influential and groundbreaking as Motown’s Berry Gordy and a memoir of the creative process.

Hailed by the New Yorker as “the eminence grise behind half of what is great in the Top Forty these days,” world-renowned producer Timbaland has been a fixture on the pop charts, with more top-ten hits than Elvis or the Beatles. An artist whose fans are multi-racial and multi-generational, Timbaland works with the hottest artists, from Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott to Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Madonna, and his childhood friend, Pharrell Williams. Yet this celebrity is a uniquely private man who shuns parties, stays out of gossip columns, and rarely gives interviews. Deliberately choosing to tour by bus and conspicuously bling-free, he maintains a low-key lifestyle. If he’s not at the recording studio, he is at home with his family.

In The Emperor of Sound, Timbaland offers fans an unprecedented look into his life and work. Completely uncensored and totally honest, he reveals the magic behind the music, sharing the various creative impulses that arise while he’s producing, and the layering of sounds that have created dozens of number one hits. Cinematically written, full of revealing anecdotes and reflections from today’s most popular music icons, The Emperor of Sound showcases this master’s artistry and offers an extraordinary glimpse inside this great musical mind.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Memoir, Autobiography, Biography, Art, Audiobook

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2015

Reviews

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, Inspiring, Compelling, Refreshing, Eye Opening, Page Turner! A Great Read! I Loved It!

[Ana O · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - should have been longer

[Naeemah Huggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I enjoyed this more because I love music and I've loved Timmy's music before I knew there was a Timmy to love. I've read reviews that said it was an inconsistent read and they are right. It jumps around a little and its rushed and incomplete in parts but I felt like I was having a conversation with music's Teddy Bear. If you like underdog stories, rags to riches stories, dreams come true stories then this is for you. If you like stories, this is for you. I felt like a kid sitting at his feet listening to him talk of the olden days, when he met Missy, their instant "sister from another mister" connection. I felt him lose Baby Girl Aaliyah, his 'little sister' to a plane crash, I felt his depression and his weight gain and his doubt when Missy needed to spread her wings and fly elsewhere for new production value. Except for some detail about how Missy really took off with Supa Dupa Fly and what happened with Magoo, he told it all. I found it all fascinating, he brought down the fourth wall to the music we Millenials grew up on: Pony by Ginuwine, Cry Me A River by Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z's Big Pimpin' and Dirt off your Shoulders, Missy's first four albums and a couple songs from the Cook Book, 4 minutes by Madonna, Bubba Sparxx's Dark Days Bright Nights, Aaliyah's Are you that somebody and Try again. I just loved hearing how those beats were born. Most surprising thing I learned: how close Timmy and Missy were to Aaliyah and how affected he was by her sudden passing, oh yeah and that he is responsible for the tv show Empire's growing catalog of hits.

I loved this expose and I love the man behind the music even more. Keep doing the damn thing Timmy. Quincy Jones status is within reach ;)

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Timbaland is one of the greatest producers of all-time. His body of work speaks for itself. When I was in the library and saw this book on the shelf it jumped out at me. I wanted to know more of what made him tick, and the story behind how he got to be who he is.

The book starts with his upbringing. His parents didn't have much but they supported his love for music. It was fun seeing him connect with music luminaries like Pharrell and Missy. It was even more interesting (and intense) to find out about his relationship with Jodeci's DeVante Swing. This is where the good stuff in the book lies. There is a connection with this beginning that speaks to you. That tells you that Timbaland still has feelings about that toxic environment.

My main issue with the book is once we get toward Timbaland's successful times we are just breezing through. There is no connection to the work, or what it meant to him. It loses feeling even when he is telling about the bad times. There is nothing to grab onto that feels real. It also glosses over much of his life. I know it is hard to get an entire life into 220 pages but it feels like this book was done for a check and that's it. I can't be mad at him for it. Just glad I got some entertainment from it.

[annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was initially going to write a review that was just some quippy little anecdote about how I started reading this book the morning I got let go from my job and how it has since brought me great comfort (which is true). Or about how my coworkers, upon bringing this into work and none of us having a clue we were going to be let go, thought that it was so funny that I was reading this and asked to borrow it after (which is also true). But alas, I have since gotten let go, and don’t know how much more I will be seeing of them!!! Also, a big thank you to my sister who told me that this existed!!!

Goodness me this is such an inspirational little treat! I have never posted a Goodreads review but have written many which have been rotting in my notes app, and I am really not sure as to why I am deciding to start with this one (probably because I’ve been let go). Stylistically speaking, if you were to grab anyone off the street and ask them to write a memoir it would greatly resemble this. It follows the sequential structure of a memoir, it’s corny at parts, it’s moving (?) at others, yet the heart is there all the same. The gag is that it’s the memoir of one of the most brilliant and revered producers/artists of the 21st century. Which is to say that there is something so wonderfully authentic and casual about this (which often feels quite difficult to capture in memoirs). This is a must read for anyone interested in the intersection of music history and personal testimony (and anyone who has been laid off recently). 

[Monica Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed DJ Timmy Tim's book. I think it's cool that he's known what he wanted to do pretty much his whole life. I really like his thought at the end of he book with regard to his kid's dreams. Sometimes parents want their children to have practical dreams, so they inadvertently "kill" a dream that doesn't fit that mold. This was a quick read, but it felt a little inspiring as well. Things didn't always go well for Timbaland, especially at the beginning of his career, but he managed to get through the dark and even tragic days to share his musical genius with the world. It was nice to get an insight into his how he makes the decisions to use non-traditional sound effects and beats on his tracks. The myriad of artists he's been able to work with is just crazy. This was a good read.

[Darren McG · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it was interesting to read more about the producing icon who has been so omnipresent in R&B music of the last 20 years, it was not a very revealing or surprising read. The use of a co-writer is a bit heavy handed throughout. The anecdotes throughout his life have a forced sense of inspiration at times. Much of the book focuses on his struggles early in his career while working under DeVante Swing, but at the same time I did not feel I learned anything or gained any revealing insight through this portion of the book. While some major musical accomplishments in his career are briefly touched on, far too many are overlooked. An easy read, but overall fairly disappointing. Maybe I expected too much from a producer I have worshipped for decades now.

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all. I’m so mad that I just realized that this book has been out. WHY DIDN’T WE KNOW THIS TIM???

Uh, whatever, okay.

I LOVE HEARING MUSICIANS SPEAK ON OTHER MUSICIANS!

I was obviously thoroughly intrigued by the subject matter and this book did not disappoint. It’s not Will Smith’s memoir it’s Timbaland’s and for that alone, I loved it!

I enjoyed hearing his journey and I didn’t know about the De’Vonte thing like at all… CRAZY! I’m glad that the world got to hear his music and crazy enough, the top beats he made for Jay are my top two Jay songs and that 20/20 Timberfake album was simply gorgeous.

Tim is so blessed and sooo talented! Who knew it began at his childhood and he has accumulated sounds ever since. His process still blows me!!! 💚💚💚 it’s a tops!

[Claudio Arato · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is one of those books that an iconic public figure writes. It is simply too much of a whitewash to be interesting. His feelings about well known connections to Jay Z, Missy Elliot, Aaliyah and Timberlake dominate the book but other than the Bassment period, the book has no desperation or insights beyond a shell; no soul from a DJ that can bring it. Maybe it's the success, or fear of something else, but this book reveals nothing of the man beyond the corporatespeak top 10 list at the end. Opportunity lost. Hope he reads Keith Richards before putting out Vol2.

[Jane Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love his music. Huge fan. However, this book was luke warm. I felt nothing. The story is no different than any other industry story where no one gets paid for their work... there's an evil industry person taking advantage... stay true to your dreams... etc. Where is the meat and potatoes? I wasn't looking for a tell all book but at a minimum I was expecting a story that moved me. This book did neither.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to get an inside peek of Timbaland's life leading up to his start in the music industry and throughout. It was also refreshing of how down to earth he seems. I got to learn how some things come together when making an album and also I wasn't aware of his beginning with DeVante of Jodeci. It seems that everyone in the industry gets a little burned some where along the way. I'll keep my eyes open for lil Miss Reign to make her debut on the scene.

[Jimmy Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was cool.. Typical music industry bio.. I thought it was interesting listening to stories about DeVante's Music Industrial Complex. I was just disappointed because I waited the entire book for him to admit that Magoo was the worst emcee ever and that didn't happen.

[Jak Krumholtz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it but long been a fan. Probably three stars if you're unfamiliar with him. Surprised how his early career unfolded. Also forgot how young Aaliyah had been, would love to see where she would be now.

[Marissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started reading, couldn't finish. If you're going to use a co-writer, I'd hope they'd push the subject to dig a little deeper than this.

[Joe Bliven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really solid memoir. It didn't linger too much on his personal origin story and touched on bits from across his long career. I learned a lot about the man, his journey, and the stories behind some of his massive hits. Unsurprisingly, he didn't address any of the accusations of plagiarism or unauthorized sampling. He did present the story of giving the Big Pimpin' beat to Jay-Z, which is one of his most egregiously plagiarized songs. The narrator of this audiobook did a good job too, even though he sounded almost apologetic when introducing himself in the opening credits.

[Noah Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blitz read, that feels for the most part geniune, fun, and honest.

I'm not sure if all the takeaways are the best from Timbaland's story, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading through his life story told through his perspective.

I love how conversational the writing style is in this one.

The only piece I found a little annoying was the more "ego" driven sections on accomplishments. I think Timbaland does an effective job at keeping himself in check though.

[Shahine Ardeshir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily the best book I have read this year. It's no exaggeration to say I loved every page of it, and was so sorry to see it end so quickly.

What did I love about it? It was quick, to begin with – a series of short chapters, preventing the tone from ever becoming too indulgent, but allowing enough space for Timbaland’s story to come to life. It was well-written – Timbaland has story-telling skill, and he holds your attention through a heady combination of honesty, wit and wisdom.

But the reason it was so delicious, above all else, was the constant references to all manners of music. I found myself pausing every few pages to find a song on Apple Music and listen to it, find what he was referring to, and then going back to the book. I learned, for instance, that one of my favourite songs of all time, California Love, sampled two other tunes to build into what it was. Or that the original rendition of ‘I Can’t Stand the Rain’ was by Anne Peebles (I’d only know the Tina Turner version). It’s a trove of knowledge, trivia and education, if you love music.

Needless to say, Timbaland has worked with more artists than I realized and he has a lot of interesting stories to relay. But at the heart of it, he’s relaying his philosophy, his outlook on life, and that’s what stayed with me, page after page, and made me love this book. I’d strongly, strongly recommend a read!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timbaland's The Emperor of Sound: A Memoir is a time warp through contemporary music, and a book that's hard to put down, even though you'd want to read it slowly to have it keep the inspiration up as long as possible. The mastermind producer captures a good deal of his life-changing moments and lifetime periods, sectioned, concise, without losing track of what was important in his music career.

Intriguing are also a number of inspirational quotes and song lyrics that add to the riches of a great narration. From his childhood days via his teenage days Timbaland takes the reader on a journey to his involvement in the television drama Empire and inspires not only lovers of music with a humble, focused, passionate, and grateful approach that shows, after all, how music is just another form of expression, another form of being human. The Emperor of Sound: A Memoir becomes therefore the voice of a voice that resonates beyond the dimension of sound - a must read for all musicians and dreamers, but readable joy for the "regular" reader as well.

[crystAlex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really resonated with me, but I'm having a hard time explaining why.
It's a very short one. Tim can recall a talk in amazing detail, before making a huge leap, not mentioning a whole bunch of albums, and barely mentioning he became a father.
Somehow still, the entire flow of the book makes sense, and whoever edited this, really did make his voice come through.
What gets me is the humble and grounded undertone in Tim's words throughout the book. You feel his experience, his pain, his background, and backbone, and it's a real joy to read his thoughts on the workings of music. For 200 pages, you're just having a very intimate talk, with a mastermind producer, and just a fellow lover of not just music, but sound in general. Somehow who's success is probably grounded not only in remaining hungry, but in remaining curious.
Thanks for that talk!

[Debbie Colon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading about this talented dude. It was nice reminiscing about all the music he has helped create along side Missy and Aaliyah or as he called her Baby Girl. I'm glad he wrote this because I really love almost all the music he helped create. I kept stopping my reading to get on Spotify and listen to the music he talked about lol I was surprised that he produced OneRepublic's Apologize I love that song. He also produced for Madonna and wrote for Sir Elton John. And all the shit he went through with DeVante while he was a part of Da Basement, heartbreaking! This was a great read I recommend to all music lovers.

[La'Tonya Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very entertaining. Of course, it helps that Tim worked with two of my all-time favorite artists (Aaliyah and Justin Timberlake) and was inspired by Prince. But I also appreciate hearing his first hand accounts of some of the most popular music made in the late 90s-early 2000s. I expected all of the (platonic) love he has for Missy Elliott, but I was completely unaware of his experience with Davante Swing from Jodeci. There are at least three chapters devoted to what can only be described as pure trauma and abuse. I was literally gripping the pages! Poor, poor Tim.

On the down side, certain chapters feel rushed, especially at the end.

[Adriano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though there's a lot of retroactive prognostication ("The second I saw *blank*, I know they would be a star"), which I tend to loathe in other biographies, I enjoyed the story of Timbaland's rise to power.

It's refreshing to read a story where no excuses are made for situations he found himself in. He had parents who supported him and, though he lived in a rough neighbourhood, he did what he could to make the best of his situation. Even though trouble found him in the some of the most unfair ways, he never used that as an excuse.

The chapter about Empire is brief and feels more like sales pitch than biography, but everything before it is very engaging.

[Patriciaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight forward substance and surprise

I love reading memoirs of people who intrigue me. No one is who we see or believe we know but rather the summation of their entire journey. Timbaland's journey to superstar music producer is at once familiar yet surprising, expected yet unconventional. I appreciate his candor as well as his desire to teach what he has learned on the way. Underneath, there is a sense that he's still learning and no doubt, we will hear the new lessons in his future music.

Good job telling Timbaland's story, Veronica Chambers. Well written, it's a quick and easy yet meaty read.

[Jasmine Holloman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming from VA, Timbaland is one of my idols because growing up, he showed me that anyone can make it. I read this book in one sitting, mainly because the setting he depicted in his memoir are places that I am familiar with, growing up in Chesapeake and now living in Virginia Beach. Timbaland's memoir was a perfect mix of personal and musical stories, and I learned more than I thought I would about the music legend. His parts about Aaliyah were especially bittersweet and I believe that anyone who is a fan of the music he produces and/or the man himself will enjoy the book.

[RJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was nice to hear more about the early days of Da Bassment crew, about Missy Elliott's optimism, and what happened with The Beat Club and those artists (Ms. Jade is and always will be criminally underrated). Overall, it's a pretty surface level read, but is a nice overview of the major bullets (no pun) of Tim's career.

Being able to read about the stretch of time when he was working with Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Madonna, and Björk all at the same time was great as well...my head spun around his career during that time.

[Deb Lindfors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes my 53yo mind wish I had been born 10 yrs later

Wow. I felt like I was sitting on the couch having a casual conversation with Timbaland! I loved it. Such an easy read and I feel like we are somehow friends. I'm 10 years older but but my passion was to be a recording or sound engineer. Becoming a single mother at 18 I was unable to pursue that dream I did go for my second choice though and became a Respiratory therapist. Wonderful book by one of the best!!!!!!!!!

[Key · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may bias like I may not
I am fan of Timbaland production, you can always tell when he produced a track. His production is unique .
Devante is the villain in this story. I was shocked and appalled by Devante actions and what Tim had to experience along with other artists/producers.
He did what two days before the wedding...Shocked!
Aaliyah ..RIP

overall great story of perseverance I enjoyed

[Danny Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timbaland is, to put it bluntly, a genius. This man deserves so much more recognition that he receives for his contributions to music, but despite this, he comes across as so humble and appreciative of the experiences he has had in life.

The whole book reads rather as a thank you note to all of his collaborators than your usual musician’s self aggrandising memoir.

I finished this book in an evening. It’s wonderfully written, and imparts practical wisdom for creative collaboration.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

great inspirational story from front to back as a long time fan of timbo. I was amazed of the struggles he endured to make him what he is today. missy played a great part in his life. it goes to show you need good friends in your circle. for positive reinforcement to make it in a tough music business. where everyone uses everyone. goodread all around

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I am so in awe of how Timbaland hears the world. I read this book with my computer handy so I could go to each song he mentions to listen for the rain, the penny whistle, the basketball, etc.