Tim Kelley is one half of Tim & Bob (Robinson) AKA Funktwons, a Grammy Award-winning Hip-hop/R&B songwriter and producer duo based in Los Angeles, California. They are among the most consistently successful urban producers in history, earning numerous music awards and top ten placements on the Billboard charts. Tim & Bob have worked with some of the biggest artists in the music industry, from Beyonce and Madonna to Babyface and Sia. Currently, they have four Grammy Awards (out of twelve nominations), and have sold more than 400 million albums worldwide, making them one of the most successful producer duos in music history.
Tim, born and raised in Illinois, was heavily influenced by his father who played many instruments. By the age of 10, he played trumpet, bass, piano, guitar, and bass and was exercising his love for music in the school band. Bob got his start in the church at the age of 9, playing the organ and piano. They met through a mutual friend at a mall. Through Paul Hill, one of George Clinton's background singers, they were introduced to Dallas Austin, a famous Atlanta producer. Dallas, who eventually became their mentor, signed them to his publishing company and gave them their namesake "Tim & Bob.”
Along with Dallas, Tim & Bob are responsible for putting Atlanta music on the map. They worked with many artists like TLC, Monica, 112 (who they actually discovered), Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Babyface, Madonna, Joe, Sisqo, Debra Cox, Isley Brothers, David Hollister, Tyrese, Destiny's Child, and Will Smith. Tim & Bob have also worked on movie soundtracks like How to Be a Player, Players Club, Poetic Justice, Wild Wild West, and The Nutty Professor 2.
Tim & Bob have been called the next Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who they say was instrumental in their careers, helping them define their sound. Among the many awards and nominations they have received over the years, Tim & Bob have won the following Grammys:
1995 - Best R&B Album for Boyz II Men's
1996 - Best R&B Album for TLC's Diamond certified CrazySexyCool
2000 - TLC - Fanmail
2012 - Chris Brown F.A.M.E