Timbaland is known for his work with Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z, but the hit maker is now gearing up to produce music for the Zumba fitness brand. The new product is called STRONG by Zumba and consists of a workout born from intense interval training and bodyweight exercise in addition to strength training. The workout will be done entirely to Timbaland’s beats, which are paired specifically with each workout move.
“I’ve always been into fitness, and music is a big part of exercising for me, and I feel like STRONG by Zumba was a great way -- with my edge, my music style -- to put it together,” Timbaland said in an interview this past Tuesday (Aug. 12).
His song “Nobody,” which was sung by his girl group project Obs3ssed, will be featured in the STRONG workout, but will be unavailable on streaming services. Timbaland is also reportedly collaborating with Scott Storch on another song to be used for the program. The producer aims to create music that inspires people to work harder at the gym, and STRONG won’t be like other Zumba classes, which largely feature Latin dances.
Ntiedo Etuk, CEO of YG Studios, which is an online platform pairing trainers and clients, said to Billboard, “(STRONG is) a step out for them. I think what they were really doing by working with someone like Timbaland, it’s almost like you’ve been typecast into a certain role… when you step out and do something different than what you’ve done before, then you look to make a splash and bring a different type of energy to it.”
In other Timbaland news, back in January it was announced that the producer would be partnering with La La Anthony for a new hip-hop docuseries in the vein of Fox hit TV show Empire. Anthony was slated to be named executive producer along with CEO David George, Will Nothacker and Derek Gordon of Leftfield Entertainment and Timbaland would be serving as executive producer of music.
