Female rappers are few and far between, especially ones with critical acclaim. In a genre permeated by men and masculinity, female artists are going to rub plenty of people the wrong way. It’s just a reality for women in the hip-hop world. Despite all that, Missy Elliott has enjoyed nearly universal admiration and respect from critics and peers.
It’s been more than a decade since the last Missy Elliott album, but it’s good to have her back. The grand re-entrance is “WTF (Where They From).” Missy is quick to re-establish herself as an elder stateswoman:
“The dance you doing is dumb
How they do where you from
Stickin’ out your tongue girl
But you know you’re too young”
Missy, by hip-hop standards, is ancient. But she embraces it. It helps that her appeal has always felt timeless. You can be bold and run the show at any age. Her legacy, at least in my own mind, has always been her music videos. For whatever reason, she pinpointed the intersection between innovative and bizarre while still fitting her music perfectly. Few artists can craft a video like Missy can.
Aside from being one of my favorite pieces of music ever, the “Get Ur Freak On” video is all kinds of perfect crazyness. Then there’s the undeniably classic “Work It.” Don’t forget the iconic balloon costume in “The Rain.” Missy is an extraordinarily underrated artist. Few can boast the kind of milestone pieces she has in her catalog.
It’s because of all this that I’ll look the other way when it comes to my issues with “WTF.” One of the best parts of Missy’s music was always the production. I love me some Pharrell, but nothing about this beat catches my ear like early aughts Timbaland. The video approaches her vintage work, but I sure hope whatever follows gets better than half-baked Pharrell beats and verses.
Regardless, Missy Elliott is just someone I’m glad to have back in the spotlight.