"Beatmaker" by Derek Fordjour situates its main subject as a young artist at work in a makeshift bedroom studio. The lifelong passion for both art and music of Timbaland and Fordjour are rooted in the experience of honing a distinctly original voice, borne from humble origins and reflected in this piece.

The architecture of Fordjour’s painting is deeply influenced by the structure of sonic engineering, reflecting the technical and creative parallels between music production and visual art. The composition is dominated by a series of bars and loops. From the vertical lines of the headboard to the stripes on the walls, the relationship between the perpendicular structure and repeating circles are a nod to Timbaland’s iconic style of production.

In the upper right corner outside the window, Fordjour has “sampled” the artwork of one of his artistic inspirations, known for his lush and colorful landscapes, Richard Mayhew. Adjacent to Fordjour’s Mayhew reference is a grouping of posters bearing the likes of Timbaland’s musical heroes. The dynamic composition is filled with rhythm and movement, along with embedded meanings. Fordjour also incorporates other elements, such as a crate of records and an electronic guitar to reference Timbaland’s affinity for R&B, rock and soul. This thoughtful approach honors the technical aspects of music production and builds upon it, blending sound and sight into a cohesive artistic expression.