Yaaaas queen!
Joy overwhelmed me by just watching Missy Elliott's MTV VMA performance. It's been 16 years since Missy last performed at the VMAs. That year, Missy was joined by Nelly Furtado and Timbaland, as they proved to us what genius looks like.
Missy opened her performance with her latest single, "Throw It Back" before throwing fans back to her hits from yesteryear. She performed a medley that included 'The Rain', 'Get Ur Freak On', 'One Minute Man', 'Pass that Dutch' and 'Lose Control'.
With each performance the 4-time Grammy winner invoked looks from each music video. She also reunited with dancer, actress and singer, Alyson Stoner, who remains a superb dancer. For those who aren't in the know, Alyson started dancing for Missy when she was a little girl. She became a staple in most of Missy's music videos. In 2015, Alyson paid tribute to the legend with a viral video of Missy's greatest hits.
Missy Elliott's work is unparalleled when it comes to production, choreography, songwriting and of course, visuals. Ever since Missy stepped onto the scene with 'The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly), she has challenged video production. During the tribute by some of Missy's peers, rapper, Lizzo mentioned that music video directors still refer to Missy Elliott music videos.
In terms of sound Missy alongside fellow producer and friend, Timbaland, created a sound that was ahead of its time. Missy and Tim are known for their unique drum bass line in their music. They helped the late Aaliyah transition her sound from her debut album 'Age Ain't Nothing but a Number', to a much futuristic R&B/hip hop sound. With each decade Missy has managed to reinvent herself. I remember the excitement when she returned from her hiatus in 2015. The queen of choreography music returned with 'Where They From (WTF)' featuring Pharell Williams. Yes, at even a mature age, Missy could still kill moves in these streets. Subsequent singles followed the smash hit with much diversity in sound and choreography. And yes, those videos keep getting better and better.
Unbeknown to most is the fact that Missy Elliott was part of a girl group, Sista in the early 90s. She co-wrote some of the group's music while Timbaland and Al B Sure produced. Like Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé, Missy is the successful solo artist who broke out of a group. She has worked with several artists including Lil Kim, Wyclef Jean, Diddy, Total, Nelly Furtado, Tweet, Ciara, the late Aaliyah and Left Eye, to mention a few. She has come in from different angles, some as a producer, others songwriter, and many as a collaborator. And everytime it's always been magic!
My first encounter with the Virginia native was in 1995/96, when 'The Rain' dropped. Between the unique drum bass and the outlandish music video, Missy stood out. My father was actually impressed by the record citing that the song sampled a classic by the same title, without the 'Supa Dupa fly', of course. Missy Elliott was representation before the word appeared in our vocabulary. She represented black women, dark skinned women and plus sized women in a predominantly male industry. As Ciara stated in her tribute, "Missy kicked down the down the doors, and went with the rest of us." She paved way for women in music, in particular hip hop and production. Of course, she was in the same class with Lil Kim, MC Lite, Foxy Brown, Salt-n-Pepa, Left Eye, Angie Martinez and Queen Latifah; women who were representing in hip hop. And with that we had one of the fiercest all female hip hop collaborations on 'Not Tonight (Ladies Night)' with Angie Martinez, Lil Kim and Left Eye. Some of my favourite collaborations include 'What About Us' (Total), Beep Me 911 (with 702, Timbaland and Magoo), 'Party to Damascus' (Wyclef Jean), 'Lose Control' (Fatman Scoop and Ciara), Hot Boyz (Lil Mo), 'So Gone' (Monica), 'Oops' (Tweet) and 'Get Ur Freak On Remix' (Nelly Furtado).
For any dancer, a Missy Elliott record or two must appear on your playlist. Watch any dance classes or choreographers, they have dance routines to a Missy Elliott song.
During her MTV VMA Vanguard Award acceptance speech she dedicated her award to the dance community. Dance has been a key element of the Missy Elliott brand. Her music is for dancers, her videos are for dancers and fans just want to dance to her sound. She said, "...When y’all get on the stage with these artists, y’all are not just props." “Y’all are the icing on the cake. Y’all are the beat to the heart. I dedicate this to every dance community out there," she continued. She then brought on young dancers, like what she did with Alyson Stoner when she was young.
We definitely owe choreography to the sound of Missy Elliott. Do you remember 'Work It', 'Pass that Dutch', 'Hot', or 'Lose Control'? If you were like me, I would imitate and practice the choreography. Yes, I danced in my youth and probably would have become a choreographer. I always looked forward to a new Missy song and still do. When a Missy Elliott song drops, I then check out how dancers interpret the music. But all this is inspired by the music videos.
Now we get to the reason why Missy is well deserving of the MTV Vanguard Award. The award was first awarded to David Bowie in 1984. The purpose of the award is to celebrate icons and trailblazers whose work has influenced and shaped music and pop culture. Following Michael Jackson's passing the award was renamed to the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award. Several artists including Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Pink, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears have received this award. With a career spanning over two decades it's due time that Missy received credit due to her. She is a revolutionary with a blueprint. We watch several music videos however few meet the aesthetic of Missy Elliott's work.
It's always hard to pick just one favourite music video from her discography. She consistently challenges the way filmmakers tell stories through music. Every music video is a social commentary, with satire, humour, dance and even acting. Missy's visuals play around with colour, art and hyperbole. The costume designs are outlandish yet fashionable. We find female empowerment, black empowerment and self empowerment in these videos. Back in the 90s and early 2000s, rail thin women were in, yet Missy owned her size and even sexuality. She taught women through her videos to be comfortable in their own skin. And even today, she challenges the status quo when it comes to self love and perception.
It's been a long time coming for Missy Elliott. Receiving the Vanguard Award is an honour to the massive contribution that she has made to music and pop culture. We can't imagine what music videos would have looked like without that Missy touch. There are so many glass ceilings that were broken for black women in production. Many women in R&B and hip hop remain represented by Missy. As one fan rightfully put it, Missy is her own movement.
Here's to more years of that black girl magic...
...and being Supa Dupa Fly!
P.S. Always write your own love story!
Ciao!
Lady E
