Here at That Grape Juice HQ, we love us some Missy Elliott! What’s not to hail about her? Killer flow, stellar songs, outstanding videos, impeccable stage shows and ever-enduring humility.
From The Vault this week journeys back to the year 2002 when Elliott released ‘Gossip Folks’ as the second offering from her fourth album ‘Under Construction’.
‘Gossip’, an open-letter to critics and bandwagon “fans”, was produced by partner-in-crime Timbaland and featured Hip-Hop heavyweight Ludacris. It was yet another hit for the rapper-singer-producer-songwriter, peaking inside the Top 10s of the US and UK charts. The song’s unusual chorus is built around a sample of ‘Double Dutch Bus’ by Frankie Smith.
As is always the case with Elliott, the accompanying visual is quite the event. Boasting CGI aplenty and appearances from the likes of friend Eve and then-protégé Tweet, the video was also notable for its tribute to late artists and friends Jam Master Jay, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes and of course Aaliyah.
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With breakthrough act Azealia Banks confirming that she and Missy are to log in studio time, and with Timbo claiming her highly delayed album ‘Block Party’ is finally poised for released in June, the triple-threat seems on the right path to continue her reign as the one-and-only Queen of Hip-Hop. And we, for one, can’t wait!
Missy’s career is one to be both celebrated and adhered to as the definitive rule-book for Hip-Hop hopefuls. For her status is one achieved on the merit of skill and ever-flowing creativity; not scandal or gimmicks.
Your thoughts?
What a classic 2000s song. Damn makes you miss when Hip Hop & R&B were the popular genre’s of music over Dance Pop.
Also the video version of this song with Ms. Jade’s verse from the other album track makes this song even better. BTW what the hell ever happened to MS. JADE ??? Anyone know? All these female rappers and singers/1 Hit wonders vanished from the music scene during the 90s and 2000s.
Great single to followup to “Work It” too. Sadly I don’t think 2012 Missy will be what classic Missy was back in the day: 1997-2005
* I don’t think 2012 Missy will be as good or compare to classic Missy: 1997-2005. *
Missy shits on it all.
Her comeback will be huge. Everybody loves Missy!!
I hope she comes back HYAWGE – mainly so we don’t have another Nicki Minaj album full of bragging about being the “only b*tch” in her lane… You may be flying solo in that lane Nicki, but you di’n’t create it, umkay?
Also, I hope Missy has upped her game with lyrics because of Nicki’s hip pop.
I never thought lyrics were the Queen’s strong point, she tended to lean on a big chorus, great production and killer videos to slay. Which was fine then, but I’m not sure it will be enough to snatch that crown back now.
I love me some Pass That Dutch.
I used to love this song
Missy is the masterclass of female hip hop… no, hip hop all together.
What a pioneer!
She is an artist you can truly aspire to…
I MISS MISSY ELLIOTT!! SHE DIDN’T HAVE TO BEEF WITH ANYONE TO GET ATTENTION – INFACT SHE’S GOT COUNTLESS SONGS CALLIN FOR BEEF TO STOP. SHE LET THE MUSIC AND THE NUMBERS TALK FOR THEMSELVES. I HOPE EVERYONE WELCOMES HER BACK WITH OPEN ARMS IT’S BEEN TOO LONG!