Pharrell and Timbaland have a long-standing friendship that dates back many years, and they recently had a debate over who has the better songs with JAY-Z.
At Swizz Beatzâs recent birthday party, the two super-producers engaged in a friendly yet spirited conversation about their respective catalogs with Hov â although it didnât go as one might expect.
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ââDirt Off Your Shoulderâ!â Pharrell began, giving props to the 2003 Black Album hit that Timbaland produced. âWhat are we doing? âDirt Off Your Shoulderâ!â
âI gotta think about you, because youâve done so many,â Timbo replied.
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âYouâve done so many classics that youâre just going through your Rolodex right now!â Skateboard P said.
âNo! Iâm going through your Rolodex! Itâs so many!â Timbaland replied as he mentally sifted through Pharrell and The Neptunesâ countless collaborations with the Roc Nation mogul.
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The debate continued without reaching a unanimous verdict as Pharrell called Timbaland the âking of JAY-Z records,â which his fellow Virginia native humbly shrugged off by saying: âNo, Pharrell the prince!â
What made the mutual admiration even more spectacular was that it was happening at a swanky chateau in the Cognac region of France, where guests â included Swizz Beatz and his wife, Alicia Keys â were treated to a lavish dinner, hosted by Hennessy, that included fresh fish, sushi and flowing red wine.
Timbaland & Pharrell giving each other their flowers at Swizz Beatz birthday party đ€ https://t.co/52WCdDsvQrpic.twitter.com/7gruWL1k4N
â HipHopDX (@HipHopDX) September 22, 2023
This isnât the first time that the two producers have shown their love for one another. During a panel at Pharrellâs Something in the Water festival in 2019, Skateboard P and Timbaland gushed over each otherâs production.
âI remember I came in the back door [of the studio] ⊠Missy [Elliott] was in there doing something, and I passed by an open door and heard, âI hate you so much right now,ââ Timbo recalled, describing his reaction to Kelisâ breakout single âCaught Out Thereâ which was produced and written by Pharrell and Chad Hugo.
He added that he made Missy come over and hear it, and though she tried to coax him over to their studio to get to work, he âwas done for the night.â
A humbled Pharrell then beatboxed Missyâs âThe Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)â while pounding away at an imaginary drum machine, bowing to Timbo when he was finished.
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The two went back and forth for several more minutes, stanning over each otherâs hits â from âGrindinââ by the Clipse to âBig Pimpinââ by JAY-Z and UGK.