Timbaland Apologizes to Chris Brown for Aaliyah Comments

Timbaland is apologizing to Chris Brown over comments he made about his Aaliyah collaboration.

In an interview with Revolt TV, Timbaland said that he doesn’t like other artists doing posthumous collaborations with the late singer. “In music, people always say I would do a song with Aaliyah. It would never work,” he said. “Chris Brown got a record, it won’t work. Drake [did] a record with Aaliyah, it ain’t gonna work ’cause Aaliyah music only work with its soulmate, which is me.”

But after the interview went viral, he issued an apology to Chris, whose song “Don’t Think They Know” features previously unreleased vocals from Aaliyah. “i want 2 publicly apologize 2 my lil homie @chrisbrown 4 my statements on revolt regarding the Aaliyah collaborations,” tweeted Timbo.

The super-producer, who along with Missy Elliott helped shape Aaliyah’s sound, was coming from a sensitive place when he made the statement.

“i actually like the song wit him n Aaliyah, its just when you are talking about babygirl its a very sensitive subject with me,” he said. “so the people who not only worked with her but grew a bond so tight we are like family so im very over protective over her.”

He has no ill will toward the “Fine China” singer, but wanted to protect Aaliyah’s family. “I have mad luv 4 my dude @chrisbrown,” he added. “a mother lost a daughter. a brother lost a sister. that is still grieving over her passing. it just a very sensitive subject. i just want the family to be respected.”

His partner Missy previously shared her thoughts on posthumous Aaliyah collaborations. “We’re talking about unfinished music and we don’t know her reasoning for not putting those records out,” she told Angie Martinez.