Superproducer Timbaland spent an hour behind bars in Germany early this morning after a violent bar brawl.

The music mogul was temporarily held in custody in Cologne after a fight in the city left a 29-year-old Croatian man in hospital with injuries to his rib cage and multiple bruises.

Cologne police spokesperson Juergen Goebel says eye witnesses confirmed a heated argument between Timbaland - real name Timothy Mosley - and an unidentified man in the bar of the Intercontinental Hotel at 11:30pm last night.

The pair took their argument outside where it allegedly escalated into violence, with members of Timbaland's entourage also reportedly joining in the brawl.

Sources claim the fight began when Timbaland began flirting with the man's girlfriend. In an ensuing war of words, it is believed the producer took offence to a racial slur.

According to Goebel, Timbaland was questioned and held in custody for approximately one hour. He was later released.