When legendary producer Timbaland first heard Bryson Tiller‘s breakout single “Don’t” in early 2015, he immediately recognized the young artist’s potential and took decisive action. The producer contacted Tiller directly, encouraging him to quit his day job and fly to Miami to pursue music full-time, emphasizing that making music constituted “real work” that demanded complete dedication.
Tiller, trusting the industry veteran’s guidance, promptly resigned from his position and relocated to Miami, where the pair began collaborating on material for what would eventually become Tiller’s debut album, “T R A P S O U L.” During this initial period, they recorded approximately 3-4 songs together, including tracks like “Sorry Not Sorry” and “Been That Way,” which later became streaming successes despite not fully aligning with Timbaland’s creative vision.
The promising partnership soon encountered unexpected complications when the advance funds provided by Timbaland began to dwindle. When Tiller inquired about contractual details and additional financial support, he was met with an alarming response—Timbaland allegedly denied ever instructing him to quit his job. This abrupt reversal left Tiller in financial straits, without formal signed status, and struggling to support his family. The situation highlights why many successful musicians today build diverse income streams rather than relying solely on one industry connection or revenue source. The experience pushed Tiller to learn more about music distribution across platforms to maintain greater control over his career trajectory.
Timbaland later addressed the situation publicly, confirming that he had indeed advised Tiller to quit his job but explaining that his attention had shifted to other artists, particularly Tink. He also referenced receiving spiritual guidance during this period, including a dream involving the late Aaliyah, which influenced his professional decisions and focus. Despite these setbacks, Tiller’s debut album went on to achieve 3x Platinum status with impressive streaming numbers.
This episode mirrors similar experiences reported by other artists, including Bubba Sparxxx, who described Timbaland distancing himself after commercial disappointments.
Despite the fallout, Timbaland has expressed satisfaction with Tiller’s eventual success in the industry, while Tiller managed to overcome these early career obstacles to establish himself as a significant voice in contemporary R&B and hip-hop, demonstrating the precarious nature of music industry relationships and the challenges facing emerging artists. Tiller’s resilience through this difficult period ultimately paid off as he remained focused on creating his groundbreaking debut album despite the uncertainty.
