Hip-hop producer Tim "Timbaland" Mosely began honing his craft at age 19 under the tutelage of Jodeci soundman DeVante Swing. Eventually he hooked up with Missy Elliott, Playa, Ginuwine and Magoo, forming the hip-hop production crew, Da Basement. In 1996, the collective produced Ready for the World's track "Love You Down," which appeared on the Nutty Professor soundtrack. Timbaland worked prolifically from 1996 to 1998, with credits including Ginuwine (The Bachelor), Missy Elliott, Aaliyah and Timbaland & Magoo. All told, Timbaland's productions have sold more than 10 million copies. In 1998, Timbaland moved from behind the board to behind the mic for his solo debut.
