"I'm a great producer, so people need me more than I need them," boasts Timbaland, who is building a roster for his new Beat Club label, an imprint of Interscope Records.

The Norfolk, Virginia, producer behind bouncy hit albums by Missy Elliott, Aaliyah , Ginuwine, and his own Timbaland and Magoo says he's looking for the next generation of stars. The first release on Beat Club is Bubba Sparxxx's Dark Days, Bright Nights on September 18th, to be followed by the R&B/hip-hop acts Storm and Ms. Jade, all produced by Timbaland himself. He's also planning to release albums by country-rock singer Shelby Norman and a rock act from Atlanta.

While currently signed as an artist at Virgin Records, Timbaland remains in demand elsewhere, finishing tracks for upcoming albums by No Doubt and Limp Bizkit . He dreams of one day working with Metallica, and hopes to sign a rap-metal act like Linkin Park, which he calls his favorite band. "I might need Fred Durst's help," he says.

STEVE APPLEFORD
(September 7, 2001)