Hip-hop super producer awed by Virginia Beach’s Salem High tribute

VIRGINIA BEACH — Wide-eyed students packed the bleachers on both sides of the gym. The marching band played in tribute and the dance and cheer teams took turns showing off routines set to the hip-hop producer’s music.

Then, Principal Carey Manugo presented the hometown celebrity a gift: a custom-made, black and scarlet letterman’s jacket.

“It means so much to Sun Devil nation,” Manugo said, “for you to come back and honor your roots.”

Timbaland, surrounded by 1,700 cheering students at his teenage stomping grounds and alma mater, described the welcome home as “a moment of awe.”

Despite all his previous accolades, the four-time Grammy winner knew the moment was special. The Friday morning pep rally at Salem High School was the first event in a three-day celebration of the Virginia Beach native called “Timbaland Way Weekend.”

This month, the Virginia Beach City Council unanimously approved giving Bridle Creek Boulevard the new honoree title of Timbaland Way, and on Saturday, the new street sign will be unveiled at a public ceremony where Timbaland, 53, will be presented with a key to the city.

Timbaland, born Timothy Mosley, grew up in Virginia Beach. He started DJing during high school and was in a performance collective called S.B.I. (Surrounded By Idiots) with fellow Virginia Beach native, artist and producer Pharrell Williams.

After graduating from Salem, he developed a signature sound in the ’90s and became famous for his later collaborations with pop and hip-hop stars — such as Portsmouth native Missy Elliott — on hit songs including “Work It” and “Get Ur Freak On.”

He’ll participate in a parade Saturday while riding on a float — designed by students from the Salem High Visual and Performing Arts Academy — featuring paintings of musicians with whom he’s associated, including Elliott, Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake and Aaliyah.

Around 9:50 a.m. Friday, Salem High students started filing in for the rally.

Senior athletes donning football jerseys, peach fuzz-faced freshmen and groups of girls walked to their seats past the excited and nervous school marching band gearing up for its performance of “4 Minutes,” a Madonna song co-produced by Timbaland and featuring him and Timberlake.

Oliver Phillips, a 17-year-old senior, stood next to his bass drum.

“I’m a little nervous,” Phillips admitted. “But I think as a band, I know we can pull through and do well.”

Standing nearby, Solise Diggs, a 16-year-old junior and member of the band’s color guard, explained the excitement percolating throughout the student body as students realized who was coming.

“I mean, obviously, it’s a celebrity coming to a high school. It’s gonna be interesting,” she said.

At 10 a.m. students were informed they’d be allowed — this one time only — to break the academic institution’s cellphone policy and turn on their devices’ flashlights.

The gym went dark. The flashlights flicked on. The stands twinkled.

Timbaland walked out to screams of adulation.

“What’s up Salem High School?” he said to more screams.

“This school’s still looking the same,” he continued. “Do y’all still got the red lockers?”

Students laughed and clapped in recognition.

“I want to say this,” the alumnus said. “Don’t ever stop dreaming. Don’t ever lose hope. You can make it.”

For more information on “Timbaland Way Weekend” events, visit thetimbalandway.com.

Colin Warren-Hicks, 919-818-8139, [email protected]