Timbaland reminisced about his past collaborations with Missy Elliott, sharing insights into her meticulous beat selection process while making her first two albums. This glimpse into their creative partnership offers a fascinating perspective on Elliott’s attention to detail and unwavering dedication to her craft. The Studio Dynamic Duo During a recent interview with Club Shay […]
Missy Elliott and Timbaland are one of hip hop’s most iconic duos. They grew up in Virginia and became friends, developing a close working relationship in the early 1990s. They originally recorded demos for Jodeci’s DeVante Swing’s label. The pair’s tight chemistry translated into Timbaland producing most of Missy’s discography, making their biggest hits. Missy Elliott’s unique approach to Timbaland’s unconventional production style created a sound and style that has stood the test of time. This week marks 22 years since Missy’s third studio album, Miss E… So Addictive. Missy Elliott was also recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and has influenced many careers.
This list of Missy Elliott and Timbaland’s biggest hits highlights their chemistry and influential sound of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The list draws from Missy Elliott’s spotless music catalog, almost entirely produced by Timbaland. Many of their best and biggest hits come from the albums Supa Dupa Fly and Da Real World. Each of these hit singles is considered a classic, listed chronologically. Take a look at the list below.
“The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” (1997)
Missy Elliott’s debut single, “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” is one of her best and biggest hits. Every part of the song is catchy, from Missy’s effortless and laid-back flow in her verses to the sample of “I Can’t Stand The Rain” by Ann Peebles. The beat from Timbaland is slow but bouncy enough to get one’s head bobbing. No rap song sounded like “The Rain” at the time, making it so unique. The Missy Elliott and Timbaland style is so influential due to this song and those like it. The video for “The Rain” was also crucial for hip hop as many rappers of the 1990s and 2000s tried to emulate Missy’s style.
“Sock It 2 Me” (1997)
The horns that immediately start playing on “Sock It 2 Me” are infectious. The song samples “Ready Or Not Here I Come” by The Delfonics, famously recreated by The Fugees the year prior. While The Fugees recreated the sample’s chorus, “Sock It 2 Me” completely reimagines the first few bars of the sample. Missy Elliott showcases her singing in the verses and sounds even better with her layered vocals on the hook. Da Brat’s feature verse is impressive as she transitions between slow and double-time flows with different cadences.
“Hit Em Wit Da Hee” (1997)
“Hit Em Wit Da Hee” is the song that starts Supa Dupa Fly. Before Missy Elliott says a single word on her debut album, Lil Kim starts the song with one of her best verses. Over the beat’s twanged guitar strings, Missy displays her versatility. She sings the song’s chorus and spits two verses, both at a very high level. While both “The Rain” and “Sock It 2 Me” were commercial successes in the United States, “Hit Em Wit Da Hee” was not released as a single in the U.S. until the album’s release. Despite that, it performed quite well in the U.K. and eventually charted on Billboard in the U.S. Though it was not nearly as big of a hit as the previous singles from Supa Dupa Fly, “Hit Em Wit Da Hee” deserves to be mentioned among Missy Elliott and Timbaland’s best hits.
“She’s A Bitch” (1999)
Missy Elliott’s Da Real World is arguably her best album and doubles down on the sound she and Timbaland created with Supa Dupa Fly. One could also argue that they took more artistic risks on Da Real World, but the album was also a critical and commercial success for both of them, leading to multiple hits. The lead single and one of the best songs from the album is “She’s A Bitch.” The song features one of Timbaland’s bounciest productions and some of Missy’s most slick and animated rhymes. She weaves in and out of different flows, rapping about how the word “bitch” can be both misogynistic and empowering. “She’s A Bitch” has been sampled several times, including GoldLink’s “Spectrum” and, most recently, BIA’s “I’m That Bitch” which features Timbaland.
“All N My Grill” (1999)
Many of Timbaland’s beats are perfect for both rapping and singing. “All N My Grill” is an ideal example of that. Missy Elliott sings over the orchestral instrumental alongside Nicole Wray’s killer ad-libs. The standard version of the song features a verse from Big Boi, while the European release of the single features French rapper MC Solaar. Both versions with the guest verses rank among Missy Elliott and Timbaland’s best hits and performed well on the charts.
“Hot Boyz” (1999)
“Hot Boyz” is one of Missy Elliott’s most anthemic songs. Over one of Timbaland’s toughest instrumentals, Missy Elliott switches between rapping and singing on the verses. The song also features some vocal runs from Lil Mo, which brings the piece together nicely. The way the instrumental starts and stops during Missy’s verses exemplifies her and Timbaland’s chemistry. The song’s remix was also made for a posse cut featuring Nas, Eve, and Q-Tip.
“Get Ur Freak On” (2001)
The very first word on “Get Ur Freak On” is when Missy says, “headbanger.” This word perfectly describes the song “Get Ur Freak On,” which is one of Elliott’s most exciting tracks. The explosive instrumental from Timbaland makes for one of the most iconic rap songs ever. The song is unpredictable, as Missy Elliott’s energetic verses contain dramatic pauses and ad-libs that keep the listener locked in.
“Get Ur Freak On” is a staple in pop culture, as it has been performed at the Super Bowl. It has also been sampled several times, notably on Bad Bunny’s “Safaera.” In Elloitt’s second verse, she raps, “Me and Timbaland been hot since 20 years ago,” which speaks to their chemistry, quality of the music, and longevity.
Missy Elliott has been on a roll recently. The icon’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was a historic moment. As such, she celebrated it with her fans friends, and fellow artists. On May 3, she expressed her excitement about this prestigious honor on social media. In a tweet, Missy acknowledged the criticism she faced in the past. However, she credited her perseverance and decades of hard work for speaking for themselves. The legendary MC seemed humbled and grateful for the support she has received.
Reflecting on her impact on the hip-hop world, Missy Elliott previously addressed the criticism she received. In particular, she spoke about the hate she got for her Barbie-inspired music video for “Beep Me 911.” In an Instagram post, she now recognized that she was ahead of her time. When a new trailer for the Barbie movie was released in early April, generating excitement from many, Missy had a more nuanced reaction. She recalled how people made fun of her and her collaborators, Timbaland and Magoo. At the time, they did not like the Barbie-style video and unconventional hairstyles. It’s become increasingly clear, however, that Missy has always been years ahead of the game.
Missy Elliott is dropping some new information about her 2002 hit, “Work It.” The iconic rapper surprised some of her younger fans with a hidden revelation about the hip-hop classic. In a Twitter post on Sunday, May 14, Missy posted a series of images with a lyric from the song. “!it esrever dna ti pilf nwod gnaht ym tup I,” read the caption on the tweet. It may look like gibberish at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it’s simply the hook of the song backwards. Many young fans were shocked, as they realized that the backwards lyric actually appears in the song.
For hip-hop fans that have been around for a while, this isn’t news. However, many on Twitter reacted to the post above with shock. “I was today years old when I found out that part of this song is just the prior bar literally in reverse lol I feel shame,” tweeted a fan. “Sh*t went over my head for 20 years and I consider myself a hip-hop/r&b connoisseur.” Did you know that the “gibberish” as simple the previous bar repeated backwards? Let us know in the comments below!
It’s been 22 years since Missy Elliott’s groundbreaking third studio album Miss E…So Addictive hit the airwaves. The Virginia native grew up surrounded by music. She discovered her passion for performing at a young age and formed the R&B group Sista in the early 1990s. Although the group disbanded without releasing a full album, Missy’s journey was far from over.
The music icon’s big break came when she teamed up with her childhood friend and fellow musician Timbaland. Together, they became a powerhouse duo in the music industry. The pair wrote and produced hits for artists like Aaliyah, SWV, and Ginuwine. This collaboration laid the groundwork for Missy’s solo career, which took off with the release of her debut album Supa Dupa Fly in 1997.
Fast forward to 2001, when Missy Elliott released Miss E…So Addictive. The album would further solidify her place as a Hip Hop and R&B pioneer. Produced primarily by Timbaland, the album showcased their undeniable chemistry and ability to create innovative, genre-defying music.
Reactions From Fans & Critics
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 26: Missy Elliott performs onstage during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on August 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
The album Is a fusion of Hip Hop, R&B, and electronic elements. Timbaland’s clever beats complement Missy’s distinguishable rapping and singing style. It includes hits like “Get Ur Freak On” and “One Minute Man,” which became staples on the radio and in clubs worldwide. Other standout tracks include “Lick Shots,” “Take Away,” and the sensual ballad “X-tasy.”
Miss E…So Addictive was met with widespread acclaim from both critics and fans. The album’s lead single, “Get Ur Freak On,” reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album itself peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. It was eventually certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Miss E…So Addictive remains a seminal work in Elliott’s discography, highlighting her fearless creativity and unique artistry. The album’s lasting impact is evident in the countless artists who have cited Missy as an inspiration. This includes Rihanna, Lizzo, and Cardi B. By breaking down barriers and pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible in Hip Hop and R&B, Missy Elliott carved out a space for herself and future generations of artists.
Queen Of Innovation
Missy Elliott’s innovative impact on music exemplified her experimental approach to songwriting and production. Her often fearless approach to music production paved the way for other women in Hip Hop artists to break into the industry. The inspiration behind Miss E…So Addictive is rooted in Missy’s desire to create music that would withstand the tests of time. Drawing on her life experiences and her love for various genres, Missy crafted an album that showcased her versatility as a performer, songwriter, and producer.
In addition to its commercial success, Miss E…So Addictive garnered several award nominations. The album received two Grammy Award nominations, with “Get Ur Freak On” winning Best Rap Solo Performance. Elliott also welcomed several MTV Video Music Awards nominations. She won the Best Hip Hop Video award for “Get Ur Freak On.”
Beyond the music itself, Missy Elliott’s influence extends to her music videos. These have become an essential part of her artistic legacy. With their futuristic visuals, bold fashion choices, and high-energy choreography, her videos perfectly encapsulate the essence of her music.
A Legend In The Game
Missy career has continued to thrive, with several more albums and countless collaborations with artists from various genres. Additionally, her contributions to the music industry have not gone unnoticed. She was honored with the MTV Video Vanguard Award in 2019 and inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame the same year.
As we look back on the 22nd anniversary of Miss E…So Addictive, it’s essential to recognize Missy Elliott’s lasting impact on the music industry. The album is a testament to her vision, innovative approach to music, and tireless dedication to pushing boundaries. With Miss E…So Addictive, Missy Elliott cemented her legacy as a trailblazer in the world of hip-hop and R&B, and her influence continues to reverberate through the music of today’s top artists.
At 40 years old, Lil Wayne has made a name for himself as one of the most well-known and respected rappers in the industry. He continues to release music to this day, his most recent arrivals coming in the form of “THE FORMULA” with will.i.am, as well as March’s I Am Music project. The latter is a career-spanning compilation album, which begins with “Kant Nobody” featuring DMX and also includes appearances from names like Drake, Eminem, Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, and Swizz Beatz. There’s no denying that Weezy has one of the most impressive rosters of collaborators of all time, but it was way back in 2007 when he really hit his stride.
During a sitdown with Missy Elliott for TV One’s Uncensored, the New Orleans native reflected on the year when he put out over 100 features. “That’s unheard of,” the “1, 2 Step” hitmaker applauded Wayne. “You have to have been raking in the dough,” she added. “I was only acknowledged for 77 of them,” the legendary lyricist told his co-star. “I don’t even think there was another artist playing on the radio, dang,” Missy recalled, thinking back to ’07.
“That was real,” Wayne affirmed her memory. “That was an amazing moment and an amazing time. I remember being able to get into my car and turn on the radio. I don’t care if I got the station wrong, could’ve switched to a pop station by mistake, I’m still on that motherf*cker!” the Young Money head proudly praised his past work. Some of his biggest appearances from that time include “We Takin’ Over” with DJ Khaled, Akon, T.I, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, and Birdman, as well as “You” alongside Lloyd.
Other popular titles include “Uh Ohhh” with Ja Rule and “Barry Bonds” from Kanye West’s Graduation album. What was your favourite Lil Wayne release from 2007? Tell us in the comments below, and tap back in later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Missy Elliott and Lil Wayne sat down for a new episode of Uncensored on TV One. During the interview, Weezy F Baby gives heavy praise to Missy.
“Before I even knew a JAY-Z existed I was into Missy Elliott,” Wayne said, according to Bossip. “Yeah and you know it was because you were able to [sic] you would say things that I would want to say as I’m rapping. You not only made me lik—You made me love it.”
Missy Elliott is going into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After the announcement, Missy Elliott hit Instagram to celebrate the moment.
“I want to say this is HUGE not for just me but all my Sisters in HIPHOP this door is now OPEN to showcase the hard work that many of us WOMEN contribute to MUSIC,” Missy wrote. “I have cried all day because I am GRATEFUL thank you @rockhall & all on the committee & Supafriends I love you.”
The new inductees joining Missy Elliott include The Spinners and George Michael.
Additional names in the performer category include Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, and Rage Against the Machine.
“This year’s incredible group of Inductees reflects the diverse artists and sounds that define rock & roll,” said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “We are honored that this November’s Induction Ceremony in New York will coincide with two milestones in music culture; the 90th birthday of Willie Nelson and the 50th Anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop.”
For the Musical Influence Award, DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray. Musical Excellence Award honorees include Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, and Bernie Taupin. The late Don Cornelius will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
Artists must have their debut record out 25 years before the Induction to be eligible. Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, and Willie Nelson were among the four first-time nominees in the Performer category’s seven Inductees. For Missy Elliott, this was her first year of eligibility.
The 38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Ticket on-sale information will be announced at a later date.
It’s a celebration all across the nation for Cinco De Mayo and for these amazing Single Ladies making waves in the music and entertainment industry. From Lola Brooke‘s Timberland deal to Mary J. Blige‘s new scholarship program and Rihanna‘s record-breaking Super Bowl performance, these women deserve a toast. Let’s get into it. Lola Brooke Says […]
Missy Elliott is going into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After the announcement, Missy Elliott hit Instagram to celebrate the moment.
“I want to say this is HUGE not for just me but all my Sisters in HIPHOP this door is now OPEN to showcase the hard work that many of us WOMEN contribute to MUSIC,” Missy wrote. “I have cried all day because I am GRATEFUL thank you @rockhall & all on the committee & Supafriends I love you.”
The new inductees joining Missy Elliott include The Spinners and George Michael.
Additional names in the performer category include Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, and Rage Against the Machine.
“This year’s incredible group of Inductees reflects the diverse artists and sounds that define rock & roll,” said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “We are honored that this November’s Induction Ceremony in New York will coincide with two milestones in music culture; the 90th birthday of Willie Nelson and the 50th Anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop.”
For the Musical Influence Award, DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray. Musical Excellence Award honorees include Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, and Bernie Taupin. The late Don Cornelius will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
Artists must have their debut record out 25 years before the Induction to be eligible. Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, and Willie Nelson were among the four first-time nominees in the Performer category’s seven Inductees. For Missy Elliott, this was her first year of eligibility.
The 38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Ticket on-sale information will be announced at a later date.
Missy Elliott has made history by becoming the first female rapper to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She is now celebrating this achievement with her fans, friends, and fellow artists. On May 3, the iconic rapper took to social media to express her excitement about this prestigious honor. “It’s times I have gotten online & seen your irrelevant your a flop your washed up & it would crush me at times,” she tweeted, “BUT God you made me STRONG I kept going & you allowed my decades of WORK to SPEAK 4 itself. I am HUMBLED thank you all my Supporters. I LOVE YOU.”
Missy Elliott has previously spoken about her impact on the world of hip-hop. In a recent Instagram post, she mentioned that she received criticism for her Barbie-inspired music video for “Beep Me 911.” She now recognizes that she was ahead of her time. In early April, a new trailer for the Barbie movie was released, generating excitement from many people. However, Missy Elliott had a more complex response to the trailer. “Some folks clowned me [Timbaland] & Magoo for doing a Barbie style video with our arms painted like joints and Tim and Magoo Ken hairstyles,” she tweeted. “I remember crying but I realized I was just years ahead of the game.”
In a new Instagram post, Missy expressed her gratitude once again for her historic Hall of Fame induction. “I want to say this is HUGE not for just me but all my Sisters in HIPHOP… to showcase the hard work that many of us WOMEN contribute to MUSIC,” Missy began. “I have cried all day because I am GRATEFUL thank you [Rock and Roll Hall of Fame] & all on the committee & Supafriends.” Missy then went on to point out her humble beginnings, representing her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia.
In addition to shouting out her hometown, Missy also paid tribute to her fellow inductees. Other artists being added to the Hall of Fame this year include Chaka Khan and DJ Kool Herc. “CONGRATULATIONS to all the other LEGENDARY artists who will now be inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” Missy said. “They have committed DECADES of hard work and IMPACT in music… Thank you 4 sharing your gifts with the world.” What do you think of Missy’s response to her induction? Is there anyone else they should have added but didn’t? Let us know in the comments!
Missy Elliott “cried all morning” in gratitude after it was revealed she will be the first-ever female rapper to inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame when this year’s class was announced on Wednesday morning, May 3. Missy will be inducted alongside Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Kate Bush, Rage Against The Machine, George Michael, and The Spinners during a ceremony this November.
I want to say this is HUGE not for just me but all my Sisters in HIPHOP this door is now OPEN to showcase the hard work & what many of us contribute to MUSIC. I have cried all morning because I am GRATEFUL thank you @rockhall & all on the committee & Supafriendshttps://t.co/agHv7puauj
It’s times I have gotten on line & seen your irrelevant your a flop your washed up & it would crush me at timesBUT God you made me STRONG I kept going & you allowed my decades of WORK to SPEAK 4 itself I am HUMBLED thank you all my Supporters I LOVE YOUpic.twitter.com/gkHUttWoU5
The groundbreaking artist will properly begin her months-long celebration at the Lovers And Friends Festival on Saturday, May 6, in Las Vegas. Elliott was tapped as a headliner, as were 5o Cent and Usher.
The official set times have been released.
Elliott is scheduled to take the Lovers Stage at 10:30 p.m. local time. Before welcoming her, that stage will feature Christina Aguilera at 9 p.m., 50 Cent at 7:20 p.m., Miguel at 5:30 p.m., Pitbull at 4:10 p.m., Lil Kim at 3 p.m., Omarion at 1:50 p.m., and Next at 12:40 p.m.
Mariah Carey will cap off the night on the Friends Stage at 9:40 p.m. immediately following Usher’s 7:55 p.m. set. That stage will also host Chris Brown at 6:15 p.m., Nelly at 4:50 p.m., Jhené Aiko at 3:35 p.m., Shaggy at 2:25 p.m., Da Brat at 1:15 p.m., and Lumidee at 12:15 p.m.
The Crunk Stage and Bling Stage will be the busiest, including the likes of PartyNextDoor, Summer Walker, Bryson Tiller, Sean Paul, T.I., Ginuwine, Boyz II Men, Eve, Bow Wow, and more.
See the full schedule below.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
BUT God you made me STRONG I kept going & you allowed my decades of WORK to SPEAK 4 itself
I am HUMBLED thank you all my Supporters