Urban Pioneers

NEW YORK In his hit song, “People Like Myself,” hip-hop artist Timbaland writes that people like him “only hang with self cause that’s the way to go.” But Timbaland found another way to go: He struck a precedent-setting deal with Verizon Wireless to distribute a collection of songs directly to the carrier’s V Cast subscribers, and to create content such as behind-the-scenes video footage of his recordings. Timbaland’s marketing effort helps Verizon as well, as the carrier aims to be a destination for young urbanites attuned to cutting-edge music and culture.