Rap icon Missy Elliott is storming the comeback trail with galactic new single ‘WTF (Where They From).’ And she’s wasting no time hitting the promo circuit either. Check out her new Billboard magazine cover above.
The Virginia native’s return is one many thought they’d never see. After all, in an industry where audience attention spans are shrinking, her 10 year hiatus as an artist (guest features excluded) may as well have been double that.
Yet, as the age old adage goes, patience is a virtue. And Elliott’s fans, as well as the music industry at large, were rewarded handsomely when the Pharrell assisted jam was unleashed one week ago.
In a juicy sit-down with with Billboard, the femcee opens up about her return, being shy, and her new album. She also offers an interesting response when quizzed (naturally) on Nicki Minaj.
Excerpts below…
Missy on her hiatus:
“If I wanted to do The Missing Files of Missy Elliott, I have probably six albums just sitting there.
[The break wasn’t supposed to be that long] but it was much needed. People hadn’t realized that I haven’t just been an artist, I’ve been a writer and a producer for other artists. When you’re writing that much, your brain is like a computer. You have refresh it.”
Missy on her new album:
[Pharrell and Timbaland are doing the album]. The only two producers that understand me. When I go like “this” [referring to her total commitment to the single and the new phase that it promises] you know that it’s something I totally believe in.”
Missy on being shy:
“I was always feisty, always that kid that would be on the porch with a hairbrush singing or rapping. I got more shy as I got older and realized people could be laughing at me, or judging me.
I never record in front of anybody. [Even] Tim has never seen me record a day in his life. It’s just me and my little Yorkies, Poncho and Hoodie.”
Also on Ms. Minaj, the feature reads as such:
When asked about Nicki Minaj, who is clearly influenced by Elliott, she mock-innocently replies, “Oh, she is?” (Speaking to her influence generally, she adds, “Unfortunately, breaking news, there is only one Missy.”) Still, she would love to see more woman MCs on the charts — when she was coming up, that was much more common. “It was me, [Lil’] Kim, Lauryn [Hill], Eve, Foxy [Brown], Trina,” she says. “There’s room for so many. It’s important.”
[TGJ note: We felt it apt to share the following whole so as to preserve the context. Translation: there’s no shade!]
Awesome interview! The rest of which you can click here to read.
We imagine we’re one of many that are all sorts of excited for the album. Pending then, we’ll keep this on replay:
![First Look Trailer: 'The Big Cigar' [André Holland-Led Apple TV+ Series]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/the-big-cigar-trailer-tgj-464x260.jpg "First Look Trailer: 'The Big Cigar' [André Holland-Led Apple TV+ Series].")
Watch the barfs pile up here and attempt to drag Missy
Them hoez should know better!
Artistically speaking, Missy would demolish Nicki but when it comes to bars….Missy Elliot is Nicki Minaj’s son. Don’t come for me because this is a true statement. Missy was named an innovative not for her lyricism, but for her amazing nusic videos. That’s not taking away from her music because she has TONS of bops.
You must mean that Missy would be SAFAREE’s son because Nicki does not write her rhymes.
MISSY U BETTER SPEAK TRUTH! MINAJ WHOLE PERSONA IS A COMBINATION OF MANY GREAT FEMALE MCS that she had in her own words “SHITTED ON”! THERES NO LIES IN THAT TEA! I’m so glad that missy SPOKE TRUTH AND DIDNT FEEL THE NEED TO KISS ANYONES A** in the process
Lol Missy was a little shady… She knows Nicki was built to initially be a Kim
When is the Brandy Missy collabo coming I’m so ready for it!
Yeeeees!!!!! That would be sooooo epic! !!!!!! Missy has a true Nack for women with soulful voices, so I bet that collabo would be a masterpiece!
Flop & Trash define this woman
*Six Platinum albums, 5 Grammys, innovator, songwriter and producer define this woman.
That’s right let that hatin a** h** know!
Missy puts out QUALITY music, and she more hits than misses…unlike Nicki, who throws EVERYTHING at the wall to see what sticks…so glad Missy turned down the beat for that WACKACONDA trash…and Missy has NEVER flopped…so I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about…h**! lol
*has more hits than misses* 🙂
Much like the smell of your vagīna. Isn’t that why Meek Mill, Future and Swizz Beatz gone gay???
She looks great and her hair and makeup harken back to the outrageous video looks of the 90s era. I’m excited for her comeback because it’s high time we got something fresh from a trailblazing veteran in the game. Inb4 this turns into a Missy vs Nicki warfest which I KNOW it will.
Come Through with the album Misdemeanor!!!
When will Nicki? ????
I love Missy and so happy she’s back!
Now I need Iggy to drop her new single!
Yaaaaaaaaas! 🙂
Iggy drop a new single? Why would u wanna wish that on anyone? ????
I’m not giving these Garbaj fans a pass today lol
Lmaoo ur hatred for Nicki is so obvious ????. Iggys new single will flop like her previous ones plus her radio deal is over :-/ sorry lmao
But Iggy has had a NUMBER ONE. Where’s Onika’s?
Atleast iggy raps about something worth rapping about… Giving a positive message and still succeeds. Missy also just proved that you can release a positive song and she hopefully brought awareness to this generations of developing adults.
The barfz could never drag Missy. Their fave wouldn’t exist without Kim and Missy. HOnika is a clone clown. “You bitçheś have no identity. All you h*** is Jane Doe.”—Lil’ Kim
STFU like seriously.
Go and suck HOnika’s stink ašs puśšy.
Lmao!! “On the porch with the hair brush” love it!!! Lol. I can not wait to hear what she has brewing. She told no lies, only one missy, no gimmicks.
*yawns* thats why Onika stay paying these hasbeens dust lmao. Missy is so fake lmao she claims that unity among femcees is needed yet she stays shading Onika on twitter (check her “likes”). Poor hasbeen, Nicki already outsold u, NEXT. PS: WTF is trash. It sounds like lose control which sounds like work it. Her music is repetitive n boring, no versatility.
Chile please…
http://giphy.com/gifs/ariana-donuts-licks-xKmE2IKoNssAE
lol 🙂
You’ve been extremely pressed and perturbed since Missy dropped a single. Why so bothered? Feeling a bit shook?
You know it’s ok for you enjoy more than one artist at a time right? I think 90% of beef steams from stand that don’t have the mental capabilities to focus one more than one task at a time.
To be fair, even as a Nicki fan, I agree there should be more female rappers on the charts. But I can’t stand when people act like its Nicki’s fault that they’re not. The fans just don’t support like they use to. And Nicki is successful because she has a loyal fan base that has been growing since she was underground. I’m glad Missy is coming to shake things up a bit, I just hope her comeback doesn’t lack consistency.
But the women back then reached out to one another. Sure there may have been some competitiveness amongst the women then but thats hip hop and they all were still dominating in their own right. You know it was all kim’s idea to get the ladies together for “ladies night”. But things may have changed because nicki has reached out to and I believe linked up with Dej loaf, and the barbershop has eve in it so we will see what chemistry was there between them two when it comes to the promoting of the movie. So it’s not nicki’s fall but for her to be so many years in and she still hasn’t done anything to up lift her peers (females rappers) does draw questions. (YeeezyShruggs)
Missy Elliott is that chick there’s no doubt and I think this album will let people know she still has it!!!!! I think it’s time for people to appreciate the music and Missy is one of the greats of her time. I loved the interview!
Wondering if Missy has a Ciara collab on this new album! That would be so sick for the nostalgia!