Timbaland, Dr. Dre go back to school, surprise high school graduation party

Timbaland, Dr. Dre surprise graduation party

CULVER CITY, Calif. — Dr. Dre and Timbaland went back to school Wednesday night.

The rapper-producers shocked students when they appeared at a Culver City High School graduation party. Dr. Dre introduced Timbaland, who performed the tunes “The Way I Are,” ”Promiscuous Girl,” ”Carry Out” and “Say Something” on a stage in the school’s gymnasium. Students invited had no idea the hip-hop masterminds were the guests of honor.

“When we walked in, we were like, ‘Whoa. Is this a second prom?’” said 17-year-old junior Saul Salmeron.

The surprise performance was sponsored by Hewlett-Packard, Interscope Records and Beats by Dr. Dre, who have partnered with the aim of improving digital sound quality on PCs. The promotional event, which was recorded for an online documentary, also featured free food, photos and a raffle of HP gear. The company said it was donating $10,000 worth of computer equipment to the school.

“Y’all got a curfew?” Timbaland asked the audience at one point.

Students held up their camera phones and gathered around the stage to get a glimpse of Timbaland and Dr. Dre, who sneaked a peek of the crowd before he took the stage. Dr. Dre, who is working on his next album, did not perform with labelmate Timbaland.

Is a possible collaboration is in the works?

“We should be so lucky,” said Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope, Geffen and A&M Records, who attended Wednesday’s event. “I can only get them so close. The rest is up to them.”

Online:

www.drdre.com/

www.timbalandmusic.com/