In 2009, Timbaland told MTV he had been done with Hip Hop a long time ago, and it would be in his best interest to cash in from what he called the “Desperate Housewives” demographic. He caught hell from many readers via DX’s comment section, but a look at the charts over the last five years proves he was not only successful, but he also took a few friends along with him.
Billboard magazine reports Timbaland has had the most Top 40 Billboard Hot 100 singles since 2005. His run includes number-one singles with Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, in addition to producing numerous Top 40 hits for the likes of Drake, Katy Perry, Keri Hilson and One Republic. All told, Timbaland has 25 Top 40 hits during the last five years.
Longtime The-Dream collaborators Stargate are second with 22 Top 40 Billboard Hot 100 placements, including the Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” and “So Sick” by Ne-Yo.
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Lukaz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, whose most notable Hip Hop contribution is Flo Rida’s “Right Round” is tied for third place with Nathan Chapman. Both producers have 21 Top 40 placements to their credit over the last five years.
Finally, former Jim Crow member Polow Da Don and Timbaland protege Danjahandz round out the top five with 18 Top 40 Hot 100 songs since 2005.
When asked for his reasons for focusing on Pop in 2009, Timbaland said, “My fanbase is mostly women and they are from all cultures. So it’s not a person who loves mostly hip-hop. It’s a person who loves everything besides hip-hop.” For better or worse, over the last five years, the numbers have backed up his statements.
