Mega music producer, Timbaland, has been the driving force behind plenty of multi-platinum selling artists and their signature sounds. Everybody from the late, great Aaliyah, to Missy Elliot, to Sam Smith and Justin Timberlake have relied on Timbaland’s unique usage of authentic sound effects and skilled musicianship to help their careers. Well in recent years, there came a time when Timbo needed the help of those he’s helped in the past. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the Norfolk, Va. native confessed a lot about his personal life that most never knew was going on.

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He revealed that he has been severely addicted to drugs- in particular, the prescription pain med, Oxycontin. Although he’s thankfully clean and sober now, Timbaland said that in recent years, he’s had a very hard time dealing with not being on top anymore in the music game. That realization pushed him even deeper into drug addiction.

Timbaland Explains How Girlfriend, Jay Z, Pharrell Tried To Help Him

Jay Z, Pharrell Williams, and his girlfriend, Michelle (shown below), all tried to help him along the way:

Via RS: “I was on drugs, dude,” [Timbaland] says. “I was on OxyContin.” […] “Music is a gift and curse,” he says. “Once you’re not popping, it plays with your mind. The pills helped block out the noise – I’d just sleep all day. I remember Jay-Z told me one time, ‘Don’t do no more interviews’ – because I was saying crazy sh*t.” His now-girlfriend, Michelle, recalls that at the end Timbaland was taking doses so high that she was genuinely worried he’d die in his sleep. “It was so bad, to the point where I couldn’t even sleep,” she says. “I’d put my hand right by his nose, just to see if he was still breathing.”

He eventually suffered what he believes to be a near-death overdose while sleeping three years ago. “All I can tell you is that there was a light,” he says. “I woke up trying to catch my breath, like I was underwater. But through that whole thing I saw life – I saw where I would be if I don’t change, and where I could be if I did.” The following day he began weaning off the pills, and soon after made a clean break – which resulted in a brutal period of withdrawal. “But I thought about Michael Jackson,” he says. “I didn’t want to be old and taking these pills.”

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His MAJOR Tax Bill

Timbaland’s addictions started as a result of several factors: He began taking oxycontin in his 30’s to deal with ongoing pain from being shot as a teen. His marriage to his now ex-wife was falling apart before his eyes, and like he said, his career was at a low point. Due to all of that drama, Timbaland’s bread was seriously depleting, but the IRS wanted their money anyway and he found himself owing millions to ‘Uncle Sam.’ Thankfully, he’s just now able to settle his years-long debt. Here’s what was reported:

Via TheBlast: Mega music producer Timbaland cut a massive check to the government to settle his tax debt. According to documents obtained by The Blast, Timbaland owed $3.8 million in back taxes. The government filed a lien against his property in October, but has released it now that he’s paid in full. The docs say Timbaland owed $117,230.19 for 2012, $1,750,048.34 for 2014, and $1,951,472.76 for 2015.

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Sometimes we have to be torn down, in order to be built back up bigger and better. It’s a beautiful thing to see Timbaland on the rebuild at the present moment and we wish him much continued success with his sobriety. By the way, be on the lookout for Timbaland performing at the 2017 Halftime Superbowl Show. Can we say WINNING?!! Do your thang Timbo!