Reviews (page 3 of 8)
The Hakeem of the genre. Everyone forgets how good, smart, funny, innovative, talented she is.
Álbum demolidor!
Some bangers early on but petered out
Didn't mind it.
Not bad rap. But too explicit.
Not my usual genre but I can appreciate Missy as a female rapper. And Work It is always a good time.
Missy is so fucking good. I don’t really have any other comments.
this was FUN!
The best album
... Who? I mean i've heard the one hit wonder before, but other than that this was mediocre at best
Gotta love early 2000s rap at least a little. Lots of impressive features on this album. Well produced. Lyrics are pretty corny but it gets points for the laughs lol. Can’t say I considered many tracks bangers.
Some decent bars on here.
Man. I only new Missy for the bigger radio hits. There is SO MUCH good stuff on this. For a while I was thinking this was a straight 5, but it fades for me with several of the R&B tracks on the back half. But when you've got Ludacris, Jay-Z, Method Man on tracks, and then 50 shows up on the Work It remix, all of whom just compliment and elevate what Missy brings, you've got a STACK of great tracks. It's really a time capsule of sound for the early 2000's, but I'm here for it. 4.5, just can't quite give it the 5 for the back half skips. Favorite discovery: Back in the Day (feat Jay-Z), Funky Fresh Dressed (feat Ms Jade)
A slight improvement over Missy's other albums. Favorite track: Bring The Pain
Half amazing songs and half duds. The amazing songs win out though.
Sometimes I wish I couldn’t see the reviews. Good lord some of them are trash and clear that the 1/5 was decided prior to even listening.
Donald Trump jump scare
the feats are decent and that's the only nice thing I'll say. this is the most default-sounding early 00s female rap imaginable. beats are forgettable, lyrics are nothing special, and it all sounds exactly like you'd expect it to sound p.s. "this is another missy elliott exclusive...🫦🫦" — yeah, dear, wish it wasn't 😭
I needed a trigger warning for this I did not expect the pedo president to be name dropped in the intro. I went in with an open mind, but this absolutely was not my thing. None of the songs really stood out to me and I don't see myself ever revisiting them. However, I recognize why people like this and why it is important; it's just not for me. Not a painful listen, but not a memorable one either. Also when half the songs start by saying they are a Missy Elliott exclusive, it makes them seem less exclusive. Favorite Track - Back in the Day Least Favorite Track - Pussycat ⭐️⭐️
What a joy to listen to Missy at her finest.
???
I don't need the thematic explanation...either do it with the music or don't do it. Timbaland hit his apex working with Missy. A lot of guest spots on this album, not complaining. Method Man, Ludacris and Jay-Z is a pretty strong late 90s lineup of MCs. Work It has always been one of my least favorite rap songs that was a hit, the backwards talking is dumb. Rappers love to do the retrospective hip hop shout out song. Back in the Day is not my favorite one though. Hearing Pussycat for the first time is when Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and Meghan Thee Stallion realized what they wanted to do with their lives. This album is not bad. The song with Beyonce is a highlight. The number of times she says "This is another Missy Elliott exclusive" makes DJ Khaled seem restrained. The back half of the album is the better half. The exclusive thing is super annoying. The sad song about Aaliyah and Left Eye is corny as hell. Nice little chat at the very end, CDs were super stupid.
Early 2000s hip hop/R&B. bleerrggh
Rad
A very welcome change of pace from what else I've had this week. It's a good album, not amazing but I think its a pretty great showcase of Missy Elliott as an artist. I do think that it does lean on features from other rappers a little bit too much but all the features are good so its not like theres a dip in quality on any of those songs.
Great songs, features, production. So much about this album made me happy
Has this album aged perfectly probably not but it’s set the groundwork for what we have today most definitely and definitely earned it spot on this list. It grew on me as I listened to. It could definitely see this being discussed in like a history of rock ‘n’ roll or history of music class don’t know how much I will return to this album but good job Missy Elliott. I could tell that you were very passionate about this album.
more missy elliott. this album is probably much more iconic and famous than her debut album, with plenty of hit tracks and her habit of flipping and reversing it. the concept for the title is how us human beings are essentially "under construction". with current world events always reshaping us and changing our outlooks on life. you know i'm a bit surprised that another one of missy elliott's albums is featured here, but i can't complain at all when it's chock full of style, creative lyrical rhythms, probably the cleanest 2000s hip hop production imaginable. i really liked listening to her debut and this was even better. this is someo who doesn't mess around with hip hop. a "missy elliott exclusive", no doubt... i feel like oldhead hip hop listeners will be amazed by this one. also i feel that andy milonakis would be a big fan of her.
Hyvät taustabiitit kyllä. Ehkä parempi kuin odotin. 3/5.
What a bullshit! -5
Enjoyed this one a lot more than expected
Not bad.
Work It
I see the appeal and can appreictae this album for what is was at its time, but there is so much BETTER female hip hop today so I just cant fully enjoy this idk
I can't say I enjoyed it, even with the Method Man and Jay Z features. Vapid music is vapid music, however well it's put together. I have a lot of respect for Missy but sitting through an entire album was punishing for me.
FHiphop #anxioussss FAVS (top 3): gossip folks, funky fresh dressed, nothing out there for me mençoes honrosas: bring the pain, back in the day, slide, play that beat, can you hear me muito bom tudo especialmente a mensagem adorei, nao gostei mt da falação mas da pra aguentar nota final: 4.5/5
Missy started out preaching to me then started talking to me and chanting 'bout da booty and I was done.
Although she's a fine singer, I prefer the rap tracks on here to the sung ones. It's also a little too long, though I did enjoy it.
This grew on me over the course of the album. I liked a handful of songs. It didn't click as much as some other similar artists from the time, but overall I liked it just fine.
Missy Elliott – Under Construction (2002) On Day 63, Under Construction showcased the incredible technical chemistry between Missy Elliott and Timbaland, but the album as a whole felt slightly overrated. Missy is undeniably talented, and her work on each of Timbaland’s futuristic beats is high-level, but there wasn't enough substance for me to cling to. I did like "Pussycat" and "Back in the Day," and I really appreciated the tribute to fallen legends like Aaliyah, Biggie, Pac, and Big L. However, despite the great production and technical skill, there isn't much here that guarantees a return visit for me. It’s a decent listen and a high-quality production, but ultimately a 3/5.
75.
Nostalgic and pretty fun. I guess I like it more now than I did then. I'm still not sure why it's so well regarded.
I always enjoyed work it. This album was a good consistent vibe, I think I liked the debut better but if I’m on the mood for this era this is enjoyable. I wouldn’t rush back to it though
Though I expect they're not going to hold up on repeated listening, I like the spoken word interludes here because they help me to contextualize this album, and how Missy Elliot sees herself in relation to what was going on in hip hop at the time and in the world at large. I'm not sure that she needs to justify why she's making sexually explicit music (you know, because men would never justify why they are writing the same kind of stuff) but for me, as someone who has a weak grasp on the history of rap music and the tendencies and currents in it, how things interrelate, it's helpful. Apparently, and again, coming from someone who doesn't know much here, this album was huge, and from an initial listen very deservedly so. There are a lot of other rappers guesting on here, and they show up strong, but Missy Elliot more than holds her own here. She's a very strong rapper, clever not just in terms of lyrics, but also in her delivery. The production is great. A couple of songs were misses for me, but this is a very good listen.
Girl did you just mention Epstein buddies Bill Gates and Donald Trump in the same sentence
Listened going to and from work. Missy Elliott reminding the world she's one of the GOATs. Lots of great tracks but a couple misses and didn't love the monologue at the beginning. Wish that was in the liner notes instead. Enjoyed it a lot!
It’s a Missy Elliot exclusive if you didn’t know.
Nah, this one's straight dookie. Things did NOT go up from yesterday.
Dużo tekstu, więc nie było możliwości żeby mi się nie podobało. Tempo jest idealne, można się pobujać do rytmu. 3,75/5
Kan ikke si et stygt ord om Missy Elliott uten å få Cheeza Flava på nakken.
Her ble jeg overrasket. Albumet føles autentisk, og både tekster og musikk var vel mye bedre enn jeg forventet.
Det her e greit. Æ blir ikke engasjert, men det e fengende. Tenke at hvis æ hadde et vors med veldig variert musikksmak blandt gjestan, kunne æ satt på det her.
Sexfiksert hip-hop. Work It er ganske bra, men jeg føler ikke at jeg trenger å høre denne plata (eller artisten) igjen. Mye snakking mellom låtene, føles nesten som et radioprogram. Namedroppingen av Bill Gates og Donald Trump ett minutt inn i første låt... yikes.
Starts off strong but gets a bit too soppy towards the end.
I give this album a 4, as I have a couple of the tracks saved, it was a good experience, but I didn’t find it amazing
Some tracks have a nice pop-feel, but sometimes her raps are more than a bit silly. Perhaps "silliness" is the point, but ultimately it didn't appeal to me.
The one hit song is nostalgic fun, but the album is mostly just generic hip hop. I do appreciate the positive messaging though.
Nice
Not really my thing, but i love the themes of female empowerment!
This was fine, not exceptional. ‘Work It’ is the hit here, but the rest of the album just didn’t hold my attention very well. 2.5/5
Defining, potentially influenced the genre for years to come
Adding to the list of albums to return to later
Oh my god guys look it's a female rapper, and she swears and talks about sex! That really seems to be the angle that Missy Elliott is going for on Under Construction, and let me say it is not an appealing angle whatsoever. It's such a shallow record thematically, it really doesn't say anything new or interesting. Missy just kinda says words for an hour and then it's over. The beats are okay but a little stale, I feel like there are so many records from this period that sound pretty much exactly like this, no doubt thanks to Timbaland. Of course everyone knows this record for Work It, which was a massive chart success and became one of Missy's most recognizable songs. Even that song is just kinda empty for me, it's bouncy and gets caught in your head, but that's about it. The rest is bad AND forgettable. I would take any of her previous records over Under Construction any day, they have singular songs that say more than the entirety of this record.
Intro, back in the day, pussycat, funky fredh dressed, slide
dura esattamente quanto arbedo-giubiasco di corsa (lenta ma pur sempre corsa)
Album art 1/5 dreadful
Didn't know Missy Elliott was this fire
Really good Skits done for the right reasons Enjoyable
Didn't click with me. I tried but just not my jam.
Cool. New listen…
This record is stacked with big name guest appearances but other than Work It, I'm not really fucking with this. She can rap and there are some decent beats but I'm never gonna spin this one again. She doesn't do enough rapping, too many guest appearances and too much talking.
I find that I am just not so interested in vocal acrobatics these days. Some tracks are fine I guess.
a few years ago i’d have love it, but now, meh
This vaulted Missy to the Queen of hip-hop for me. This album was crafted! Who else could get 50 cent, Jay Z, Beyonce, TLC, Ludacris and Method Man. Loved it.
Yeah not a fan tbh
This was pretty good I enjoyed the themes of grief and loss but I can’t really see myself revisiting it
Classic from one of the best to ever do it.
For me too much rap but there is some nice groovy R&B sound in some of the songs, which I like.
I enjoyed the beats/ production and Work It is a banger. I generally enjoyed the lyrics but don't really like Missy's delivery - and thought telling that I preferred nearly all of the guest vocalists.
Under Construction ‘Bill Gates and Donald Trump got better shit to do’ That's aged well. I liked Supa Dupa Fly a lot, I like Missy and Timbaland in tandem, and I feel similarly about this. The spoken word bit aside the bendy synth line and percussion of Go To The Floor is excellent. Bring the Pain is a superb song, and although this version isn't my favourite, it’s still great, and Work It is a banger, a great rhythm and a flipside viewpoint on gender tropes. Back in the Day is also a banger, the clav and percussion giving it a 70s feel to match the nostalgic lyric, with Jay Z’s great guest appearance. Nothing out There for Me is a catchy tune, despite a slightly OTT vocal from Beyonce. Slide is excellent, a slight hint at a North African sound with the hook, and a great groove. I really like Play that Beat’s string driven treatise on beating up your partner’s ex girlfriends. Ain’t That Funny is a great bit of Missy/Timbaland, an excellent sound with a shiny, 2000s-futuristic synth hook. There are a couple of tracks I’m not as keen on, particularly, Pussycat and the Lonely Island-esque Can You Hear Me, although the stacked vocals sound excellent on this. All round it's a great early-mid 2000s hip hop album. I love Timbaland’s sound, but on here it also feels like there are some softer edges among the usual bendy synths and skittering snares. Although Lauryn Hill gets more critical praise, perhaps as she is more perceived as being more serious, Missy is probably a better rapper, and although she's not as good a singer, she’s great at little hooks and earworms, and in partnership with Timbaland she’s got a great overall sound. Similar to Supa Dupa Fly I’ll put this in the low 4s. 🏗️🏗️🏗️🏗️ Playlist submission: Work It
Surely Timbaland is the Stock Aitken and Waterman of the hip-hop world - but with less harmonic interest. Soulless hooks, repeated ad infinitum without variation, except the odd pause. That doesn't mean he doesn't hit paydirt at times and he certainly does with 'Work It', brought to life by Missy's Busta-imitating rap - the breadth of onomatopoeia for her wayward buttocks is as impressive as the breadth of the buttocks themselves. I do take issue with: "Phone before you come I need to shave my cho-cha....Go downtown and eat it like a vulture". The analogy of a man administering cunnilingus being as a scavenger feasting on carrion is not the most sensual comparison. Nevertheless, the sexuals work in this funky beat; Then she tries an RnB, slowed-down, TLC-type tune, and sings about how to best utilise her vagina to impress her roving partner, ('Pussycat'). She knows it's jarring as takes a minute at the end of the song to explain herself and remind us that Prince started it anyway. All the good is bunched in the first few tracks, including 'Bring Da Pain'. It's not a patch on Method Man's version, but he features here and his updated lyrics are pretty funny ("Sweet lady, you drive me half crazy, maybe, we can go half on a baby....Lovely! Kick off your shoes and get comfy, we can bump uglies if you ain't got your monthly"). If I didn't know better, I'd say he was parodying his host.
So glad I’m doing this 1001 albums thing otherwise probably wouldn’t have listened to this album. So good, powerful, fun, sexy, empowering, emotional. Love that literally every song has the ‘missy elliot exclusive’ tag, kinda iconic.
This would be so much better if Missy allowed her voice not to be in competition with insanely irritating and distracting noises which took away rather than added to the overall sound
This album was on the surface so outside of my wheelhouse but turned out to be so good. Loved it.
I didn’t want to listen to this album as I’m not a hip hop fan from this era. However it was very approachable and musical. There are some really good tracks on here.
A really enjoyable throwback. One of the better albums from the era
Surprisingly good, as it is not my really my genre. Favourites: Work It, Gossip Folks.
There are a few songs on here that broke through to the mainstream in a major way which already means it should be on this list. The other songs were not my style but had an effect on rap going forward. Listen to the hits skip the rest unless you’re a Missy fan
I'm not a big rap fan. But, she has a great voice, and there are some really good beats on this album.
I've heard her hit singles, but never listened to a full album before. This was more solid than I was expecting. 3/5.
3.5 i love it
8/10 – Very Good
Ooo I loved this !! I can’t believe I never have listened to a Missy Elliot album
Missy is a queen. While I didn’t necessarily love this album, I can’t deny that. The beats are great. I had a fun time with it, but it wasn’t really for me. 3.5/5
This album is beyond iconic. So many of the verses and play on words show why it is a notable hip-hop album. I was surprised by the Beastie Boys sample in Funky Fresh Dressed ft. Ms. Jade and I loved it. Favorites: -Bring the Pain ft. Method Man -Work It (duh) -Back in the Day ft. Jay-Z -Funky Fresh Dressed ft. Ms. Jade -Ain't That Funny -Can You Hear Me ft. TLC
Good stuff, well delivered 3.6
Missy forgive me because I was wrong. Fully expected garbage but girl delivered one banger after another. Mad respect.
This one is not for me. Favorite track: "Back in the Day"
Im kinda into hip hop ig
I expected to like this album a little more than I did. It turned out to be one of those albums that actually irritated me. It wasn't so much the music as the repeated assertions that "this is yet another Missy Elliott exclusive", which added nothing to the quality of the entertainment and appears completely unecessary. The production was nice and everything, but none of the tunes really stood out for me, and the shock novelty of all those sexual references got tired many years ago. So all in all, it was just alright for me, bitch.
Pleasantly surprised by this album. I didn't formally Like any of the songs but the whole thing has a nice smooth hip hop sound.
Such a classic album. Got a little repetitive in the middle but easily a 4.5
Not for me. I don't think its bad, in fact I can see the appeal. It's just not my cup of tea
Yet another genre and artist over-represented on this list. I didn't like this any more than I did the first one.
women in hip-hop are always admirable. this album still didn't do that much for me.
nije mi se sacuvaoo revieeew neee, nema veze, dobar album, dobar rep, svidja mi se sto prica sa publikom deluje intimnije
Album Review 051 Under Construction by Missy Elliott (2002) Rating 2.5/5 Let’s start with the good; the music, production and delivery from Missy and her collaborators are decent enough: 4/5. Listening to the lyrics though, it’s apparent that Missy Elliott likes talking about Missy Elliott. Under Construction is essentially 12 tracks of Missy & Friends saying “I am/do/have [X], so you are/do/(don’t)have [Y]” in different ways. Shite: 1/5. As my adventures with the 1001 Album Generator continue the more I realise that, with the rare exception, it’s the rapping that stops me liking rap.
I never really got into Missy Elliot for some reason. Looking back now though, I loved every single she put out and I’m a huge fan of Timbaland as a producer and a rapper. So, when Under Construction came up as my album, I had no idea where this was in her catalog. Missy Elliot seemed to come out of nowhere. She was dressed in a blown-up trash bag, and Timbaland was giving her the best beats in hip-hop. Under Construction was her fourth album in 5 years. That seems like a lot, especially for someone who seemed to be as hot as she was with hit after hit. It’s not surprising to see that she put out another album in 2003 and one in 2005, and that was it for her. Why is it that when hip-hoppers become huge and make millions upon millions of dollars, they tend to retire or at least semi-retire? Is it because it’s hard to write about the streets when you’re living in penthouses and driving Bentleys? I know plenty of rock bands who don’t make it out of their superstar stage because money, fame, and hangers on changes you. It has to. Only the strongest survive superstardom, the Stones, Metallica, and U2. It’s hard to transition from an angry young person to a fat, rich, and happy person. Now, Missy Elliot never came off as angry, and most of her songs to me sounded kind of like nonsense. It’s easy to keep nonsense alive forever, look at Weird Al. Under Construction sounds great. There are great beats, and Elliot has always been a great rapper. She has a very unique voice. Work It, the first single, is a monster. It’s one of those songs that will be played 100 years from now. The next single was Gossip Folks, which is about all the intrigue and rumors that swirled around Elliot for some reason. Was she gay? Was she straight? Why do we care? She was a heavyset woman who then lost a bunch of weight, so there was gossip about that. Ludacris is on this song and really takes it to another level. Ludacris is another hip-hopper I just never got into, but every song of his is a banger. He also got huge, then quit rapping. Gossip Folks also recognized the passing of Elliot’s friends, Aaliyah, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Jam Master Jay. All died within a 15 month perieod of time, Aaliyah and Lopes both in plane crashes. Weird. If that happened today, I’m sure 90% of the population would believe the government was involved. The third single was Back in the Day featuring Jay Z. Funnily enough, it wasn’t a huge hit. The song was about the good old days of hip-hop, and like The Day the Music Died the lyrics refereced a ton of old school rappers. Missy shows off her singing skills in this one. Jay-Z, another who got huge, then quit rapping. The rest of the album is good, but I’m not a hip-hop connoisseur, so I can’t speak to this album being any better than another hip-hop album. I’ll just say, beyond the singles, none of the songs made me stop and just listen. So, is it a must-listen? For me, no, but those who love hip-hop or are getting into hip-hop from the past, this is a good one to check out.
4.5 Full of hits
Better than her other album.
DJ, please pick UP your PHONE im on the REquestLINE
It’s alright, expected it to be somewhat worse
i remember hearing something from her on mtv not being so bad but this was literally unlistenable for me, skipped most of it. and what's up with all this aggressive bragging in rap lyrics, who even cares?
This one really surprised me. I had only heard the singles before listening to this, and I'm just shocked how great all of the beats are, and how listenable every single track is. There's zero filler here. Can't believe I'm giving 5 stars to a Missy Elliott album, but that's the beauty of this whole experiment.
Nope
Yeah decent
Love the spoken intro.
Didn’t have problems with any of the songs but not very memorable.
Come back to this
I prefer this to most other rap from this era.
Go Missy! Wasn't expecting to like this, but I did. Didn't love it, but appreciated the vibe, and enjoyed the collaborations...most of them...
Loving the vibe but could do without the chat between tracks. Some excellent guests and classic references.
There is so much to love on Under Construction. Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliot brings you some of the biggest hits of the early 2000's in "Gossip Folks" and "Work It", and a stacked cast of the biggest names in black music; Method Man, Ludacris, Jay-Z, and Beyonce all make appearances! With production by Timbaland, Under Construction makes it's ambitions clear. However the album is pretty front loaded. All the hits with the best production and best guests sit up front, and all of the strained efforts sit in the back. And try as one might to love Missy's offerings and takes, I just wasn't impressed. I wanted to like them more because I like *her*. 3 "misdemeanor exclusives"/5
The fourth album from the legend herself Misdemeanor!! This was a fun experience for me from top to bottom because this is my first time hearing this project from front to back. With two personally classic tracks like Work It and gossip Folks, I liked the theme of her just trying to inject some positivity back into the rap scene after the recent tragedies around that time. I think she did a fantastic job of creating a project that’ll make you feel good and want to dance a little. Unless you’re the person in the second comment, of course.
I don't think I'd ever knowingly heard a Missy Elliott song before today, even though I'd totally heard of her before and the chorus of "Work It" is something I've seen referenced before. I really liked that one and the way she made those reversed vocals sound natural instead of off-kilter like in psychedelic rock! Also really liked "Nothing Out There For Me" and how she got those spoken vocals through a phone to fit in just perfectly. The rest was a nice enough listen (if a bit unmemorable for me), though the spoken interludes kinda broke it up a bit too much (even if I get what she was going for with them). I thought the occasional "this is a Missy Elliott exclusive" intros were fun though!
I can't handle Timbaland's bullshit. Missy's good, and Work It is filthy in a pretty classic way, but mostly I just get tired. The features are very early 2000s but I don't think their verses are any good, which kind of sucks. Anyway, party music for a certain kind of party but not much else. Also, Back in the Day is corny as shit.
A mix of rap, gospel and hip hop. There is a 90s vibe to the whole album that I love because that is when I grew up. This is definitely Missy Elliot's call for an end to the violence that dominated the hip hop scene in the 90s. Its also a heartfelt remembrance of friends and colleagues of Missy's that have gone before their time. I also really like that this is almost as vulgar as Snoop Dogg's doggy style. But unlike Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliot feels that she has to explain why she is being as vulgar. The more thing change the more they seem to stay the same.
mjoah, ganz okay. Find es gut das weibliche Rapper hier auf der Liste sind, aber das Album hat mich nicht mitgezogen
2-3 Lieder: bring the pain, work it, und, back in the day. aber auch paar schwache Lieder dabei, daher auch nur 3.
Besser als erwartet. Ich hab aber auch nicht viel erwartet.
What a voice for women, for hip hop and for the east coast
Wow. There is some crazy genius talent here, both the rapping and the production. I may never be a real rap fan, but I can appreciate the delivery, the sway, the creativity on this record. The backward rapping on "Work It" is just awesome.
I really liked this, despite the Jay-Z drop in
I like the hip-hop on this. It's safe and unchallenging but it has a fun vibe which is refreshing. The R&B on here though is just tough to sit through. Typical of this era I find it sterile and over-produced.
definitely not for me. I don't think its bad, in fact i can see the appeal if I was someone that was into this type of music, but it just isn't for me which is perfectly fine
WOW
She's awesome
so fucking good from one of the greats
cool, but dated. could do without the narration
This album definitely bops. I like it. But I remember what I wrote about the other Missy Elliott album on this list - how hard it is to judge the titular artist since there are so many other musicians showcased on the album. That is true here as well.
Did not really do much for me at all.. I thought beats were very weak, the only one I liked is from Method Man and came way before this, so.. No more than 2 stars.
Eh. I didn't enjoy this a whole lot.
If every tracks not “another missy elliot exclusive” it may have scored higher
Great album. Missy slaps
At least a bit better than Supa Dupa Fly, I'd say, though still filled with many of the same problems from that album. Timbaland is still on production duty here, and while the beats are a bit more noteworthy, harkening back to many older hip hop standards and styles, it still gave the album this dragging feeling that I couldn't shake. There are some hard moments here still. I really like the original, so the new version of 'Bring The Pain' featuring Method Man worked for me, though I wish it were a bit more transformative on the beat; it just reuses that classic loop without really altering it. 'Gossip Folks' is maybe the hardest beat here, and Ludacris definitely delivers on his verse. But 'Work It' is maybe the most noteworthy song here, just an absolute classic with such an infectious flow from Elliott herself. The sort of clunky and dirty guitar beat on 'Slide' was also pretty sick, and the song also features another smooth delivery from Missy Elliott in her more traditional style. And 'Can You Hear Me' was a pretty heartfelt way to end the album, a tribute to both Aaliyah and Left Eye (alongside other important lost figures in hip hop) featuring TLC themselves. And given this period in hip hop was filled with so much loss, the final spoken word portion felt super poignant and necessary. Ultimately, I enjoyed this as much as I did Supa Dupa Fly. Some incredible moments here and there, but ultimately a bit too bloated and long for my liking.
Really enjoyed surprisingly
yes. she sings, she raps, and her interludes show her depth as an artist and individual. a CLASSIC and keeps me engaged throughout
Did I just get Missy Elliott for my final album? Okay. Not too much to say that she doesn’t say for herself, but it’s a fun album with a ridiculous number of hooks per minute.
A lot of fun actually
Her fourth album. Hip Hop. Missy Elliott has a cool voice for female Hip Hop. Some nice beats but lyrically I found it boring and a bit self indulgent. Pretty average.
This is fun but messy. She should call herself Messy Elliott probably.
#806. I feel like this is another you had to be there albums. Its just not as interesting to me listening to it for the first time decades later for whichever reason. 3/5: fine
It was bloody awful.
This is somewhere between hypnotic and annoying. It's not for me, but definitely remember Work It being all over at the time.
3 not very exciting
Overall: 6/10 Missy Elliott is a great lyricist with a good flow, but the real MVP for me is Timbaland and his great production. Sadly, much like a lot of Timbaland's other projects, I found it a little lackluster and not very memorable. Missy has a lot of charisma though, which makes it a fun listen. Fav Song: Work It
Surprisingly good record. I remember when it came out and it was massive, but I never listened to it. Could do without the rambling sections but otherwise cracking
1.2/5 For someone who doesn't like rap or hip hop, I actually didn't mind this. Would I put it on again? Doubt it, but I could actually listen to this without skipping songs or wanting to turn it off like some of the other rap stuff I've heard.
★★★½
Hip Hop, with one of the blandest album covers the genre has to offer. 1/5
wow.kochsm wiadomości głosowe między piosenkami,pussycat hell yeah missy wie 9 co chodzi,otwarcie freaky kocham
Some classics on there
Eh. Not great but idc.
Not bad. She had some good songs
fav one so far, love an album that tells a story
Not sure why but this unexpectedly delighted me
Under Construction erschien 2002 und zeigt Missy Elliott als US-amerikanische Künstlerin auf einem bewussten Rückgriff auf klassische Hip-Hop-Ästhetik, ohne zeitgenössische Produktionen auszublenden. Das Album wurde unter anderem in den Master Sound Studios in Virginia Beach sowie in den Sony Music Studios und der Hit Factory in New York aufgenommen. Inhaltlich und klanglich verbindet Elliott selbstbewusste Rap-Performances mit einem deutlichen Respekt vor der Geschichte des Genres. Zu den bekanntesten und stilprägenden Songs zählen „Work It“, „Gossip Folks“ und „Back in the Day“, die exemplarisch für den direkten, oft humorvollen Ton des Albums stehen. Musikalisch ist Under Construction klar im Hip-Hop verortet, mit starkem Fokus auf Beats, Samples und prägnanten Hooks. Insgesamt wirkt das Album geschlossen und zielgerichtet und gehört zu den stabilsten Veröffentlichungen in Missy Elliotts Diskografie.
Memorable bars & crazy beats! Bringing anyone to their feet.
The combination of Missy Elliott and Timbaland is such a time in popular hip hop. When they nail it, it still sounds great. The singles do shine bright here, but there's still some cool beats throughout.
Oh my gosh Work It was such a throwback!!
Missy is considered one of the best female rapper of all time. This album has her talent on display, smart meaningful lyrics, funky and groovy beats, quick raps and flows, and a pretty good voice and tone. Insane production and beats, the combination of hip hop and R&B here is insane, amazing club music too and probably paved the way for many female MCs, and the fact that she managed to get the names of Bill Gates and Donald Trump in there is insane. I love the little before and after speeches. She often also adds heartfelt messages to channel the roots of hip hop and celebrate the lives of those that we lost over the years that left too soon, from Biggie, Tupac, Aaliyah, Big Pun to Left Eye. In a way this album is a memorial for all of these acts, these people who were at the top of their craft. This album's almost 24 years old and it still sounds so fresh and new! Songs from this album are still trending on social media to this day, mainly Work it. This album is packed with features from all of the biggest names in the scene with references to popular media and figures who you would hear about at the time. Overall very influential album, my favourite tracks are Into/Get To The Floor, Bring The Pain, Gossip Folks, Work It, Back In The Day, Funky Fresh Dressed, Slide, Ain't That Funky, Hot, Can You Hear Me,
Inspirationsloses R&B Album ohne wirkliche Highlights oder Musikvergnügen.
Fav: Slide Least Fav: Gossip Folks (Feat. Ludacris)
i don't have to like everything
I'm well aware of the hits on here, but haven't listened to the full album. This is great. The hits are total bangers, and even the non-singles are solid.
Found the commentary unnecessary, would have fit better in a deluxe version of the album. Intro did not age well. But also the commentary was kind of stupid, like why feel like you need to defend your music like that. Album was ok, stronger in the beginning and too much filler in the second half.
After getting several rap albums in the last few weeks, I’m coming to the conclusion that they don’t age terribly well. This particular one, though, is pretty good. Missy Elliott is clearly a strong personality and the backing music for these tracks is more interesting than on most rap albums.
I've heard it said that rap is music and hip hop is a lifestyle that includes rap. I can only assume that my liftestyle isn't hip hop. This album isn't as bad as some rap albums, but it isn't my taste at all.
I liked this album better than her earlier one that's on this list. This is fine, but it's probably not something I'll listen to again.
Cool
Incredibly solid hip-hop album.
Alright flow and beats. Beats were more chill and left a lot of focus on lyrics. Not the kind of music I like. Work it is absolute classic and probably the most memorable song to me.
When Missy Elliott and Timbaland join forces it just works for me.
Second Missy album to come up, my first time listen, and I really dug this one. Could I do without the narration/commentary? Sure. But Missy's flow is impeccable as always, the production and guests are solid. Overall a pretty good balance of hip-hop and pop sensibilities, featuring her biggest hit and a certified capital-B banger, with plenty of interesting deeper cuts and no real duds IMO.
I was critical when her debut album made the list because I was aware that she had produced much better material since. Now you've gone and redeemed yourself with this one that unequivocally slaps.
The line about Bill Gates and Donald Trumo not fighting didn't age well.
Very very good! Somehow this album didn't land on my radar when it first came out, but it's powerhouse work. In terms of musical complexity, it reminds me Beyonce's recent work, although the lyrics definitely have a lot less gravity. The elephant noise in place of the lyric "dick" is one of those things that I (like undoubtedly many others) will remember forever.
I quite liked this. Have listened to 'work it' a million times, but enjoyed a lot of the rest of it as well.
318/1089 - Went in one ear and out the other. Only thing I remember is "This is a Missy Elliot exculsive" at the beginning of every other song and some beat references to Beastie Boys and Run DMC. The last song seemed cool and had some Neo Soul influence. Guess I remember more than I thought I did.
3.75* Round up to 4.
Meh.
Lots of spoken parts to this one, for better and for worse. Missy Elliott was sharing an interesting message and some apt commentary, but the album was drawn out. Some decent rhythm and flow but just generally not our vibe.
Not for me. Definitely could be for others though, but not my cup of tea. I enjoyed the guests on the album, but that’s about it.
Early 2000s rap. All her epic songs. Outstanding album.
There is a certain thing about most hip hop production of this era... that I can't get behind Timbaland is considered a great producer for some reason. I don't really get it. All feels so lifeless. Missy is a fine rapper, maybe better than fine. But it just doesn't do anything for me, mates. You know what, slowly I'm defrosting a little. Still not my thing, but some of some songs there are not as bad. Won't listen to it again, though. I don't know if I should give it a 2 or just a 1. I gave the last Missy album here a 2. This one is not worse.. so.
The grooves! The grooves. Flip it and reverse it, the grooves persist.
While I appreciate the artistry of this album, nothing from it stood out as something I loved. 3/5
This open intro is cold - never expected a DJT reference either. Go to the Floor - seems like a clear inspo for some Nicki tracks. Bring the Pain - that conversational back and forth that we associate with Missy is a nice interlude, especially before her solo verse. It feels like the album is coming to a close with that Beyoncé song but then it picks right back up with Slide. Hot falls short lyrically compared to the rest of the album. Could’ve done without it on the album and it wouldn’t have been missed.
Cool.
Idk its ok, beats are quite good, I like quite a lot of the samples, but I just think quite a lot of them are quite empty, and a bit repetitive. She's a good rapper and and also a good singer. Its obviously good to have someone from another perspective in such a male-dominated genre (especially at the time). Features are good, didn't expect to hear Method Man, she's definitely very good at integrating the features into the songs, where it feels truly more like a collaboration subject-wise, rather than just a feature stuck onto the end of a song. Not too much else to say. Favourite songs: bring the pain, nothing out there for me, play that beat. Overall around 6/10
Loved it. Very distinctive voice
Musically, this is tasteful, beautifully engineered, sounds like the product of a committee, made from sounds that felt ubiquitous for a while, though I appreciate the parts that feel like they’ve been lifted from the 1980s - mostly old vocal samples - and the squelchy low end. But she’s cool, it’s all setting for her, likeable, thoughtful, deft, and with a voice that sticks. The music didn’t move me, but she’s good company.
Mid. If only there was a way to identify the artist on each and every track. RIP Mani - will play XTRMNTR next
Not my cup of tea but still ground breaking
Sounds very dated, even for its time. I didn't hate it, but didn't particularly love it as well.
Some cool samples but I don’t like her voice, delivery and lyrics. Gets dull very quickly.
One thing you can say about Missy Elliott is her albums are fun, Timbaland production is tight as hell and undeniably of it's time, but Missy's raps are just so off the wall surreal one minute then super serious the next... It keeps you on your toes. "Work It" remains a timeless banger though
Fine
- Defied the BDS movement (in 2010) and hasn’t spoken about the genocide since, so likely a Zio. I don’t fuck with Zios. - Too bad because the music is fun, and I love seeing women on this list.
On aikansa parhaimpia hiphop kunnianosoituksia, absoluuttinen massiivinen järkäle. Aikansa parhaat vierailijat, Methodman yks kaikkien aikojen parhaita.
užas živi. ne znam jel gore kad ova nesnosna rep nigačica štaliveć pjeva, repa ili priča nebuloze između ponekih pjesama. sve u svemu smeće, neke dijelove uistino teško slušati. barem mi je drago na kraju čuti kako kaže da je boli kurac ako nam se album ne sviđa
Pleasently surprised by this one. I had a rash of early 00s hip-hop in this project that just did not age well. It's definitely old-school, but it felt fresh. Great flow, collaborators on point and worked well with their tracks, and diverse enough beats to keep you entertained mostly throughout. Really well produced. Only real gripe was her speaking to the listener bits only work the first time you hear the album. Beyond that, nobody wants to hear that more than once. Overall, I dug it. Does it warrant 4 stars? Not for me. I probably won't be bringing this back anytime soon, but I'm glad I listened. 3.5 out of 5
THIS IS A MISSY ELLIOTT... EXCLUSIVEEEE Todos los discos de este género parten con un -1 por gusto personal, este estuvo... bien? Había harta variedad entre los tracks, colaboraciones, inclusive partes más melodicas que me gustaron harto, pero al final eso del missy elliot exclusive me tenía media chata.
soul hiphop!
👑
This might be the most mid 2000s record ive ever heard but It just rules. Its so refreshing to hear a feminine voice who also raps. Growing up with Nikki it seemed like girls needed to sound tough and hard and masculine to make it. Maybe im just wrong but thats always what i saw. Its different now but as someone who prefers a feminine vocal usually it hits the spot. My biggest gripe is its a little crass or gross at times. Not that male rappers aren't 10 times more so. But some of the nastier tracks do loose me some. I dont know who produced this but the beat selection is top notch for real. Everything bumps. I was not expecting to like this nearly as much as I did but im happy as hell for it.
Ok. Medio denso
2 Stars (5/15)
I knew this would be a fun album and Missy didn’t disappoint.
I fully expected to hate this one but what a surprise! Actually a very catchy album. Yes, dated - but its fun and also touches on some issues 4 ⭐️
Missy is at least slightly different in sound than the other 00s hip hop but a whole album was a bit too much. No need to explain what your album is about I'm the album itself, unless I suppose it sounds like it's mostly about banging. This isn't my sort of thing really, I'll give it a 2 for being mildly interesting at points.
I had low expectations, as the genre isn't always for me. She can rap, sing well enough, some great beats, and Work It and Ain't That Funny are great. Not quite a 4, but a really solid 3. Pussycat was gross though.
Wasn't looking forward to listening to this, but it wasn't bad actually. She can definitely rap, and the skits weren't too bad. Maybe a bit too RnB/pop like for me Knew the hits and the stuff about the dead compatriots felt genuine. 3, pleasantly surprised but still not quite for me. I also listened while waiting in an airport after my flight had been cancelled so maybe not a fair review.....
Every track is exclusive! (your sarcasm meter should read 100%). Liked the flow and the beats but the lyrics for me were hit and miss with most falling on the miss side. In general, this album is fine but it really does not do anything to distinguish itself.
First of all: The Features on this Album are insane Second of all great Album, from a great US Hip Hop Time, even if Missy mentions on this album that back in the days things were better :D Third of all: It would be 5 Stars but this constant mention of "exclusive" did bother me.
Fun album. Missy Elliot brings it hard.
It was only the second hip hop album I have listened to all the way through. I enjoyed it immensely. I thought it had some danceable grooves, I thought it had an interesting point of view. I thought she was funny and overall, I just had a good time listeneing to iit.
Missy puts in a great performance here. Her lyrics are funny, smart, and have a good balance of shit talking and meaningful moments. The spoken passages can get a bit long, but all the talk about wanting to make an old school rap album that stands up for women and the original spirit of hip hop is backed up by the fact that she did just that. Timblaland's beats are good but maybe a little sparse in places. "Work It" is of course a classic it how it manages to be both very weird and inviting. I wish there was more of that overt weirdness here because outside of some ear catching lyrics it doesn't have much else that makes it unique. And the sparser beats means there are no songs on the level of "Work It," though a few are very close (the tracks with Jay-Z and Ms Jade perhaps come closest). Definitely worth a listen though not quite a classic despite how great Missy is here.
Con Work It como tema más recordado, este álbum supuso un paso aun más en la meteórica carrera de Missy. Con Jay Z, Beyoncé, las TLc o 50 Cent, Missy Elliot se puso mano a mano con su sinseparable mano derecha Timbaland para crear un disco que dejó claro quién estaba sentada en el trono del Hip Hop. Merecido éxito de crítica y ventas. Un puente entre Queen Latifah y Nicki Minaj pasando por las Salt´n´pepa y Laurynn Hill. A mi me gustan mucho más la apertura con Go to the floor y Bring the Pain o los temazos Play That Beat y Back in the day (con Jay-z) que los sencillos Gossip Folks o Work it, pero estos tuvieron mucha mejor suerte. Especial es Pussycat con Janet Jackson y Lil' Kim o Nothing Out There for Me con Beyoncé, heredando lo que Laurynn Hill no quiso seguir haciendo. También Can You Hear Me un tema de la vieja escuela con las TLC. Imprescindible.
Already loved the singles off of this album. It was a treat to listen to the whole thing. Immaculate production. I still love Missy.
Not her best, but still great
8/10
Excellent album. Great production. Excellent lyricism with her very own unique style. Encouraged positivity at times as well which is missing a lot in hip hop, especially at that time. Funny as well.
It has several bangers.
*This album has great cohesion with its message of using hip hop to elevate people instead of resorting to violence and honor past hip hop heroes who have passed away. She also does an amazing job of using her status and creativity to empower women with her message. *The cameos are crazy- Jay-Z, Method Man, Beyonce, etc. and the sound is such a dynamic and unique hip hop sound.
Ok at the start of it I was having flashbacks to early 00's hip hop. Then the entire album clicked for me. I remembered how much I enjoyed Elliott. At some point in my life I forgot about an entire era of music. Seriously this album is good give it a listen and try not to want to dance.
Top track; Work It
Daddy like. I do think it’s worth mentioning that producers of digital media who tag hip hop skits onto the beginning or end of the music tracks will all burn in hell.
Always find these ones difficult to review. It’s a good album because of talented vocalists, slick production and nails exactly what it set out to do, but boy oh boy this is not for me
Gossip folks, bring the pain, work it and pussycat were stand out songs. Good album!
Solid album, but not something I’m itching to listen to again. I enjoyed hearing Missy talk about her album and her philosophy of hip hop though.
Solid album, great beats, fun vocals. I'd listen to her other works.
Wisdom
Interessant. Nicht so meine Musik, aber ich mag das Konzept und ist schon eingängig. Gaststars sind auch super. 3 1/2.
I enjoyed it more than I thought. Gossip Folks catch AF. good production that holds up.
It's a 4.5, but I'm rounding down for the interstitial talking. The remnants of 90's hip hop sketch culture were still hanging on at this point.
I liked this album a lot. Some real processing that I think was authentic. I'm also assuming that at this time, missy making an album like this was impossibly difficult. Musically it's a three -- a few sick beats, but mostly the sound of the times. Message wise a four.
I must say I tapped my toe, but never put it on. 2.5
Horrible
I wrote a glowing review and accidentally clicked off to another tab and erased everything. I'll sum it up, fantastic early 2000's rap and hip hop. Great album.
Damn every song brought the heat. If you told me Timbaland produced a Clipse album but then replaced all their vocals with Missy I’d believe you. The beats on this album are insane. Loved it!
Well, that intro didn't age well. The lyrics have me laughing. Halfsies in a baby? I don't know how I'd react to that question. When every song is an exclusive you can't go wrong. I wish Pussy Don't Fail Me Now was less depressing when you listen to all the lyrics. Missy you don't gotta be depress like that! What a chorus though!
It's good, Missy has a lot of aura and it's a great Timbaland showcase, easy to listen to, but it feels... insubstantial, I guess.
If I had to pick an artist to describe “rizz,” it’s probably Missy. “Work It” feels like the anthem of high school to me.
A solid album, Missy has a ton of charisma and the production is fantastic. There are a couple really excellent tracks and lots of great guests but many of the album's ideas are over used and Missy never totally warms up on any of her raps. It's still a fun listen and the cover is great, that's a 4/5.
Some sounds are super dated, but the hits and features are really fun to bump honestly. It’s a shame a lot of people seem to be pretty close-minded when it comes to this album, though.
Love this album
The producers did a good job with the beats.
Ikke min greie i det hele tatt, men bedre enn jeg fryktet. Beatsa føles ofte veldig novelty og daterte ut (dette var et album fra det dystre 2000-tallet), men noen ganger funker det litt. Jeg fucker med Work It; har endelig funnet ut av hvem Flight spoofer på Sugarlumps.
Jeg ser at det er mange kvaliteter her, og jeg liker godt flere av låtene. Blant annet "Back in the day" og "Play that beat". Men et helt album var ikke noe for meg.
Veldig teit å forklare hva albumtittelten betyr i introen. Show dont tell! Men generelt et jævlig kult album.
De features zijn heel dik, ik bedoel Method Man? Ludacris? JAY-Z!?!?? BEYONCE!???? En dat is nog even buiten beschouwing laten dat dit album grotendeels geproduceerd is door Timbaland! Daardoor klinkt dit album ook heel erg als early 2000s, maar dat komt denk ik meer doordat alles en iedereen dit album is na gaan doen in de jaren daarna dan dat het gedateerd klinkt. Echt mijn god, de productie funkt keihard en de features? Jezus, ik denk dat mensen soms echt vergeten hoe goed Jay-Z is. Deze feature klaart hij volledig, maar begrijp me niet verkeerd; Missy is binnen alles een duidelijk centraal middelpunt en zelfs met zo'n feature lijst lukt het haar relatief gemakkelijk om overeind te blijven. Minder fan van de ballad Pussycat, maar ik word daar ook meteen op gecalled door Miss Elliott, dat dat nummer niet voor mij is. Die is voor de ladiessss. Fair Missy, ik zal er geen punten voor af halen. Merk dat ik eigenlijk het hele album aan headbobben ben. Ik vibe het gewoon, de bars zijn zeker niet altijd even sterk, maar Missy's flow en personality schijnen door het album heen. Timba's productie is minder futuristisch dan later maar dit is in mijn ogen nog steeds een heel sterk album. Geen 5 sterren, daarvoor mist het net dat beetje extra, maar gewoon een ontzettend sterk hiphop album. FAVO: Gossip Folks, Work It, Back in the day
Brilliant.
Not my taste
Good tunes thx !
If you're working in a style that foregoes melody and harmonic structure/development and focuses instead on language and rhythm, you need to do more to interest me than yap for an hour about what you think of yourself. Oh, and rhythms performed by computers don't move me; they leave me feeling empty and cold.
this album kicks ass. the flow goes hard, missy just rips through the whole thing. absolute command of the music and what she wants to do. some catchy hooks in there as well.
Really listenable, 23 years later. Elliott played the same boastful, sexually explicit game her male counterparts were playing at and demolished them. Her flow isn't as compelling to me as some others and I'm lukewarm on the beats produced in this era but this is an excellent record. That's without even mentioning the featured artists (Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Ludacris, Method, Ms Jade, TLC and 50 Cent). There's a definitely touching moment later on, mourning the passing of several of her young peers. Even the brief, spoken interludes hold up better than typical hip-hop sketches. I'd argue that both hold up because they represent Missy Elliott's genuineness throughout what's otherwise a typically posturing, braggodocious rap album. She knows who she is, she knows what she's doing and she's killing it. Better than Eminem's actual output at the same time (and he's still rightly a legend). 5/5
This was an entertaining listen, but it felt very much like a guilty pleasure i.e. we're not inventing the future of music, but we're having a good time.
The intro didn’t age well, otherwise still slapped
Danceable.
"You don't see Bill Gates and Donald Trump arguin' with each other 'cause both of 'em got paper and they got better shit to do" as an album opener probably didn't age super well but the songs are bangers.
Good but not as good as her first album.
there was one line about donald trump that aged pretty badly
What a terrible day to have ears.
I’ve always enjoyed Missy Elliott, but never listened to an entire album. But I really enjoyed this.
A couple of tracks didn't sit well with - the Beyonce one for starters, I can't stand her or her shitty music. On the whole though, this was a really good album.
I absolutely love Missy’s creativity, skills, and vital contribution to hiphop culture. She’s a goat. This album’s harder tracks are absolutely fire. The album is brought down a star for me by the r’n’B she includes, confusing mash of feminism and regressive lyrics like wanting to cook and clean for a man, and interstitials that sound too off-the-cuff for posterity.
Nop
Some hits some missy..s
Au début c'était pas dégueu, puis finalement non.
A certified freaking banger and not even Missy’s best
I do think this is like the third best missy album, but i do kinda think it works so well bcuz Timbaland is really uninhibited... the production on this album is awesome haha
Not my thang. Even if it was, this wouldn’t be. Extra half star for the elephant.
This album is 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Rating: 4.7/5 Short Review: Time traveler in a tracksuit creates funky feminist bops in the middle of a boy-band apocalypse. Favorite Track: “Work It” – the sonic equivalent of someone rewinding your brain and then making it dance. Still sounds like the future.
another missy elliott album? one was enough for me
Missy Elliott is somewhat underrated as a songwriter. She raps freely about some of the more typical things you might expect: money, clout, and sexuality. But there's also a sharp sense of humor lacing her music, which both undercuts and highlights the bragadoccio in interesting ways.
This is funky and fun
Would love to give this a 3.5; I've listened to a lot of hip hop and this was a nice treat.
ti esrever dna ti pilf ,nwod gniht ym tuP! Really loved this--somehow had never heard it before. SO many great featured artists.
Less wide ranging than some of her earlier work, she still combines innovative sounds with clever, sometimes funny lyrics
"This is a Missy Elliott Exclusive" is just as annoying as DJ Khaled yelling "DJ Khaled!" and "We the best music!" before every fucking track. Really doesn't help that none of the tracks here are nothing special. I just don't really like anything here: the flow, the beats, the lyrics. There really is nothing here.
My overall take from this is that it felt altogether too long. But for what it is, Missy can throw down, especially with support. Work It is the obvious and all time jam of a standout that is made entirely by the infectious Timbaland beat. Otherwise, Gossip Folks feels like it was tailor made for the Luda feature. And I have to say, while his solo records leave something to be desired, he always shows up on a feature. Back in the Day brings in a lazy first Jay feature, but his second showing followed by Missy makes it all worthwhile. Bring the Pain is fine enough with good flowing from Missy and Method. I will say Funky Fresh Dressed has fine flow, but some questionable lyrical choices. Same can be said for Pussycat. Slide through Hot are all fun tracks through the close, though the strength often comes from the instrumental IMO. I enjoyed this, but as I said it runs a bit long and has some soft spots. Runs along the low side of a 3 / 4 border.
Pretty much exactly what I expected out of a 2000s hip hop album. Maybe expected a bit more from Missy, but this is about as 3 as a 3 can be.
Didn't think we would need to hear 2 Missy Elliott albums...but here we are. Yeah we did not need a second Missy Elliott album.
Booo Trump shoutout booooo. Always love a good Meth feature even though it's a cover of his song. The features do some heavy lifting on this one. Meh 2.
I tried to give it my best shot but I just really didn't enjoy this at all. I'm sure at the time a woman singing about being empowered sexually was unusual and ground-breaking...but the music did nothing for me.
Missy Elliot knows how to lay down a good beat. Well, maybe she doesn’t know how but whoever she employs to do that, knows how to do it. And ahhh yes the token Donald Trump shoutout in hip hop before they were told to not like him. Ahhh such simple times back then. I didn’t expect I’d hear a Missy Elliot version of Bring the Pain. Well, well, well. Missy has done the job, I will give her another listen. I’m really mind blown over this one. Each track is different from the other. The only constant is the groove, you want to get moving listening to this and I don’t dance. Like not even a little bit. I could pass on Nothing Out There for Me. It’s not a good song. In fact I was thinking “this song sucks, it sounds like Beyoncé bullshit”and that is never listenable. Then I look and it’s gosh darn Beyoncé. Go figure. Skip. Choice cut: Gossip Folks
Ground breaking album. Showed women can rap salty and talk about being human from their perspective.