Topics: Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Celebrity, Music
Timbaland is facing severe backlash for his comments on Britney Spears.
The music producer has worked with Justin Timberlake several times and he had some words of advice for his industry pal.
During the Sounds Architects: A Producer Conversation panel at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Timbaland was asked about how 'Cry Me A River' was 'making headlines again' in the wake of Spears' memoir.
The Woman in Me was a detailed look at the pop star's life, her dating history, her music career and the conservatorship that controlled her for more than a decade.
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It highlighted her four year relationship with Timberlake, how he convinced her to get an abortion when they were just 19 years old, and how he dumped her via a text message.
It certainly didn't cast Justin in a good light and Timbaland didn't seem too happy at Britney giving Timberlake loads of bad press.
The music producer said Britney had been 'crazy' to include all that she did in the memoir and told the panel in DC that he 'wanted to call and say, "JT, you gotta put a muzzle on that girl now"'.
He added that he believed Britney released her memoir just 'to get people’s attention'.
“You know what? We live in the age of social media and … everybody want[s] to go viral," he explained.
"I get it because that’s the way you make money [is to] go viral.”
The comments have sparked a furious backlash online and many are calling for him to apologize.
One person said: "Timbaland saying that Justin Timberlake should have put a 'muzzle' on Britney is actually INSANE considering Britney has been treated like a caged animal for the past 13 years."
Another added: "How can you say Justin Timberlake should’ve put a muzzle on Britney Spears just because she spoke up for the first time after being silenced for years? Do better, Timbaland!"
A third wrote: "Timbaland really just made me realize everything Britney said was true even more."
Fans have also resurfaced an interview Timbaland did when he opened up about how Britney didn't work with him for her career-defining Blackout album.
He says he could have helped her relaunched her status as the princess of pop, but she ended up going with another producer.
Timbaland told Entertainment Weekly back in 2007: "I just want to take her away, go overseas and work [it] out. ... I asked Justin, 'How would you feel about me working with Britney?' ... 'Would you do it with me?'"
But he said she had to be 'serious' about making music and when she went with someone else, he revealed he wouldn't work with her again, according to MTV.
