You choose... Timbaland or Sean Paul

NORFOLK

Music fans are getting a little post-Christmas present this weekend - back-to-back concerts by Timbaland, on Friday, and Sean Paul, on Saturday, at The NorVa.

If you have saved up enough of your shiny Christmas pennies, or money is no object in the pursuit of pop music, maybe you can attend both shows. Otherwise, you'll have to choose. (Of course, Timbaland is a hometown hero, born in Norfolk and all, so he might have the edge.)

Here's a side-by-side comparison to help you decide.

TIMBALAND

Given name Tim Mosley

Age 37

Birthplace Norfolk

Style Hip-hop and R&B producer, writer and performer who has crafted hits for dozens of recording artists and himself

Hits "Up Jumps da Boogie" (1997), "Apologize" (2007), "Give It to Me" (2007)

Hits with friends "Promiscuous," with Nelly Furtado, "SexyBack" with Justin Timberlake, "Wait a Minute" with Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls

Props Grammy award for best dance recording, with Justin Timberlake, for "SexyBack" (2006). Has his own video game, Beaterator, for PlayStation Portable and other devices. Billboard's top songwriter of the decade, just ahead of Virginia Beach's Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes. Also, Billboard's No. 2 producer of the decade, just behind The Neptunes.

Beef with Jay-Z? Tracks produced by Timbaland for Jay-Z's "The Blueprint 3" were leaked before the album's release last fall. Timbaland was a suspect, but he denies it. He recently told MTV: "Musically, I take friendship very serious. Me and Jay, sometimes people think we have falling-outs. We don't have falling-outs, it's that we don't communicate at the proper time."

News Timbaland is opening his tour for his latest album, "Timbaland Presents Shock Value II," Friday at The NorVa. Rick Mersel, the NorVa honcho who introduced Timbaland to Nelly Furtado there years ago, said they're expecting a surprise for such a big show. Maybe a special guest onstage? Local radio station 94.9 FM hinted Monday that it might be Justin Timberlake, but Mersel couldn't confirm that.

SEAN PAUL

Given name Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques; other nicknames, SP, Sean da Paul, Sean Peezy

Age 37

Birthplace Kingston, Jamaica

Style Jamaican dancehall

Hits "Gimme the Light" (2002), "We Be Burnin' " (2005), "Temperature" (2005).

Hits with friends "Baby Boy" with Beyonce, "Give It Up to Me" with Keyshia Cole, "Break It Off" with Rihanna

Props Sold more than 10 million albums worldwide, most successful Jamaican artist of all time on the U.S. charts; Grammy winner for best reggae album, 2003, "Dutty Rock"; American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist in 2006; Billboard's reggae artist of 2009 and of the decade.

Beef with Jay-Z? Beyoncé and Sean Paul's song "Baby Boy" was a big hit as the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards show was approaching. Yet, she sang it without him during the show. Reports indicated that Jay-Z did not want his beloved Beyoncé onstage with another guy, but Sean Paul said afterward, it's cool. "I don't keep beef, dude. Anyone who wants to work with me, that's fine."

News His birthday was last Saturday, and a big party in his honor was planned for Wednesday in Jamaica. His album "Imperial Blaze" from 2009 is a Grammy nominee for best reggae album.