Supa Dupa Fly

This debut album from Missy Elliott is fine. Not great, but fine. The music is listenable, but this is definitely not where you will find Missy's most influential work. To me, this is an entry that could have been replaced with a more iconic Missy Elliott album, but this was instead chosen for its historical significance. Missy was part of a movement of validating and legitimizing the existence of female rappers in the mainstream, and this debut album represents that big push. That said, this album relies heavily on features and in my opinion, doesn't show off Missy's true prowess that she developed following this album. Missy's inclusion in this project is absolutely warranted. But I question the choice of this album. A weak 3.

I wish I liked this a lot more than I did. I liked the intro with busta in it, but past that the album was mostly downhill from there

757 represent - Timbaland is easily in the GOAT conversation for production. The whole album is funky and soulful af, and so deep and rich. I could probably listen 10 times in a row and hear new elements. I really can't believe this was '97 - it feels way ahead of its time.

Had this at a 4/10 rating thirty minutes in halfway through, until I saw red upon realizing I was halfway through thirty minutes in! Snoozefest full of weak bars except for Lil Kim's past- left-field Finnegan's Wake reference, which I missed because I was catching Z's. Inexplicably in the top 100 of Rolling Stone's 2020-edition Top 500 Albums list, above and below some astronomically superior works. 3/10

Seriously, another missy Elliott album? The author of this book really did just fill gaps wherever hey. This just went on and on and on without end, yet another nameless rap album from the late 90s when it lost all character and started to sound like generic mass produced crap. This is the rap equivalent of poison or nelson. 2/5.

I don’t know if it’s the slower pace, the beats, or the samples used, but this is undeniably 90s and that it comfortingly familiar even when I have never heard any track beyond The Rain. Is this the best hip hop album? No. Would I put this on while I get shit done. Absolutely. I hover between 3 and 4 but I think pure nostalgia bumps this up to 4.

"Supa Dupa Fly" is the sound of a big step forward for the genre: I was struck by the feeling that in 1997, Missy Elliott developed a brand of hip-hop and R&B still celebrated and explored by women artists in the current scene. Themes of feminism, sex-positivity, body confidence and solidarity between women help to make the album a fresh and engaging listen, although the songs themselves weren't always up to scratch. The first half jumps out immediately, a result of all four singles being placed together at the very start. This isn't to say it's the best material, but it's certainly the most immediate, the most demanding of attention. I enjoyed Elliott's vocals across all of these tracks, as well as the scratchy bass hook in "Hit 'Em Wit da Hee", the brass sample and chorus of "Sock it 2 Me" and the soulful groove of "The Rain". In the second half (appropriately, from "Pass da Blunt" onwards) it all becomes hazier, mellow, more subtle- on first couple of listens, this is where my interest began to wane. Sensual slow jam "Friendly Skies" and the cool detachment of "Why You Hurt Me" both strike good tones but are overlong. "I'm Talking" is another weak link- there are surely stronger, smarter hooks she could have used than "my style of rapping/I'm such a good rapper." But "Izzy Izzy Ahh" and "Gettaway" are good fun and help prop up a weaker second half. A strong array of guest stars (Lil' Kim with a James Joyce reference, Da Brat with a lightning-speed rap, Ann Peebles via sample) add different perspectives to the music and all give distinct voices. And finally, Timbaland's production is bold and innovative throughout, with a lot of layers that are fun to unpack. As well as the sampling and rhythms, some of my favourite arrangements pushed beatboxing (the final minute of "Pass da Joint", the vocal percussion in "They Don't Wanna Fuck Wit Me", and the accompaniment to "Gettaway"). This just scrapes 4* and would have been stronger still if a couple of tracks were shaved off towards the end: it starts brilliantly and Missy Elliott's vocals made a great combination with the guest stars and Timbaland's production.

This is Missy's first album and it feels like a freshman attempt. It's a bit jumbled and weak, missing that weird snap that makes a Missy joint so recognizable. It's far more generic R&B than hip-hop but the unique spark that makes Missy the queen is there, just barely visible, buried in the sand. I'm glad she dug it out for further albums. Sadly, there's not enough here to save this first one.

Another week, another overlong hip hop album with too many songs and skits. Is there any point in the making of these albums where someone pipes up that maybe 17 songs is too many and 10 or 12 is more than enough. Some good stuff, a lot of average, the Busta Rhymes intros/outros are embarrassingly bad as is 'Missy's Finale', where she thanks the people who worked on the album. Same time next week?

I love Missy E, but this one is a miss. Too many Timbaland ad libs and iffy features. Best track: Hit 'Em wit da Hee

Beep beep.... Missy Elliott's debut album is a perfect introduction for those who want to dig into why she remains a influential figure in pop, R&B and hip-hop nearly twenty-five years on. Apart from the Busta Rhymes stuff and the spoken word outro, almost every song here is a banger from the hits to the deep cuts. An essential listen all around. Favorites: Hit 'Em With da Hee, Sock It 2 Me, The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly), Beep Me 911, Pass da Blunt, Best Friends, Don't Be Comin' (In My Face), Why You Hurt Me, I'm Talkin'.

Another classic album in one of my favourite genres. Very much of its time, but Missy is one of the best and it was great listening to all her early stuff again. A couple of the tunes on the 2nd half of the album dragged a bit but on the whole it was great fun to listen to.

This album is really a trip to listen to in 2021. It's all about the vibe, above all else. The standard formula is Missy's smooth vocalizing setting the scene of a blunt smoke-filled room in late 90's NYC, followed by a guest emcee coming in to lay down the raps. It is maybe a tad repetitive, but it makes for an excellent chill album that's easy to listen to.

was better than I expected, although wouldn't listen again I also didn't hate it

I started off thinking that this was yet another boring album that’s on here for some historical or music critic reason but by the end I was totally on board. The vocals are basically nick cave from the boatman’s call mixed with frank Sinatra but the production is on a whole other level of mixing genres and it’s all really beautiful sounding

Wanna like this more than I do. Some of the beats are really eccentric and I like that but it just doesn't completely gel for me. I think it's the combination of the more r&b sung elements that throw me off. Favorite track is "Izzy Izzy ahh" where she's doing this kinda laid back ODB thing. I like it when she gets more nonsensical and playful like that.

No. 239/1001 Busta's Intro 2/5 Hit 'Em Wit Da Hee 3/5 Sock It To Me 4/5 The Rain 3/5 Beep Me 911 3/5 They Don't Wanna Fuck Wit Me 3/5 Pass The Blunt 3/5 Bite Our Style 3/5 Friendly Skies 4/5 Best Friends 4/5 Don't Be Comin 4/5 Izzy Izzy Ah 3/5 Why You Hurt Me 3/5 I'm Talkin 4/5 Gettaway 4/5 Busta's Outro 3/5 Missy's Finale NR Average: 3,31 Fun, easy to listen 90s rap Album.

Hit and Missy

A hip hop album with strong R&B influences. I'm sure this album was a major impact on encouraging female artists into the industry. The main appeal is the fantastic production by Timbaland which gives it a very futuristic funky sound to lots of the tracks (you should just see the videos), from space sound effects to robotic drones. Out of this world beats consistently throughout. That being said, despite her sexy voice, I don't think Missy is a great rapper, and for most of the second side, I was just curious what Timbaland was going to try to do.

Hard to contextualize this one. Progressive female rapper from the 90's. Groovy jams. Trouble is I can't remember if this was breaking new ground or just sounding like what else was out there at the time.

Fantastic beats from Timbaland, and some bomb features as well. It is unfortunate that I find Missy Elliot herself to be so dreadfully boring. I genuinely do not get her hype someone please explain it to me.

I’m a firm believer in the idea that any album that is given the accolade “must hear before you die” should be able to transcend the time in which it was made. This album has a song called “Beep Me 911” on it. I doubt there is a human alive today under the age of 35 who knows what that meant. Supa Dupa Fly is the posterchild for an album that is “of its time”. It’s not terrible, but it’s a 27 year old time capsule to my ears.

This was a big barrel of wank. That’s my review.

I'd rather take a cheese grater to my eardrums than listen to this again.

I have to be honest, I had to just skim through this album because I really did not like it. Now I need to go cleanse the palate with some King Crimson or something. Favorite Track(s): “Friendly Skies”

Moronic, low brow and pretty obnoxious in parts. Propped up by a host of thoroughly skanky guests.

When this album appeared, I cheered aloud! So excited to finally see Missy on the list. Top notch!!!

this is a great album! Missy is so cool and I absolutely love seeing this on the list

More Missy, yes please

COOL

great

Great album. She’s got such talent.

10/3/24. Missy is one of the best! First time giving this album a full listen and each track brought something to the table. I'm also at the point now where Timbaland's production and sound is nostalgic, but still very good. Loved the variety of hip hop and R&B put on by Missy.

Missy is the GOAT

Incredible album. You could tell Missy and Timbaland we’re gonna be stars from the beginning.

5/5. Every song was enjoyable and fun and the beats were amazing. Some okay songs but no bad ones.

crying, screaming, throwing up this album is so good!!! sock it 2 me, the rain, izzy izzy ahh were so good. something abt the sound of this album rlly tickled my brain in the best way. pass da blunt SENT MEEEE lmao bc pass the dutchie has been on my rotation lately & i did not expect to hear it here. I love how she references some rlly classic songs in such an original way, it's rlly well done ❤️❤️❤️

Debut album from the legend. Missy and Timbo teamed up and set the blueprint for hip hop in the years to come. Sock It 2 Me/The Rain/Beep Me is an incredible 3 song run.

They don’t wanna fuck w me!!

She's fantastic!

Supa Dupa Good xD

Great!

Really bad ass album by one of the all time greatest. Missy misdemeanor Elliott is a hip hop titan and I really miss her style in modern music.

Loved it

A quarter century old and still sounds fresh and modern as can be.

Streets ahead of all those dick swinging Gansta bores from around the same time.

Oh hells yes! This is fantastic. Only ever heard the hits. But the whole album is great. Excellent flow all the way. Makes me wish I could smoke blunts with Missy all day. Innovator. Creator. Iconoclast.

Perfect album, no notes.

Just a transcendent hip-hop record that still feels groundbreaking 25 years later.

Another incredible debut

A unique and fantastic hip hop album.

Missy created a classic album with this one!

Always a pleasure.

I think missy could've made some real proper all time greats but was held back to some extent by the industry expecting her to be tied into the mellow rnb side of things. This is almost there and has tracks that would be at home on an all time great hip hop album but the whole tracklist doesn't quite get there and that's super dissapointing to me because Missy had the ability if she'd been allowed the freedom that other artists were at the time. That being said this album is still a great time and a really enjoyable time capsule for this period

This is a classic...for its production and uniqueness. And within the album, although she touts her "rapping," I think she knows it. She brings a style and it feels largely improvised, but it's a great groove. Also, it means my man Busta made the list. Which is validating some.

Straight fire

It is Supa Dupa Fly. My wife grew up listening to Missy Elliott. This album sounds like a good time.

she's so cool

so good! so many killer features and production is on point on every single track!

Great samples. Very entertaining. Loved it.

Missy being missy

Pass da blunt love to see it

She way great from the jump and has only improved since.

Chill and energetic all at once. Captures the moment in time but also timeless.

Amazing. So fun. Legendary. Love love love. I can’t stand the rain!

This is the funkiest rap album I can remember ever hearing. It's awesome. Favorite track: Don't Be Coming (In My Face)

Early Timbaland and Missy. Some of the greats.

Even though I found a lot of Apple Music's Top 100 albums of all time to be...divisive, I can totally see why this album is on there (though I don't know its placement on the list, probably somewhere stupid). I'll admit that I listened to about half of it relatively passively so I didn't listen to a lot of the lyrics. I was struck by the beats and rhythms for almost every song. Catchy and dynamic shit here. I like Missy's voice as well and the features on this album are always a cool treat and never overstay their welcomes. Cocky and confident but never undeserved. I will definitely be listening again. 5

Absolutely shocked by how negative these reviews are. Maybe just because I'm a huge fan of Timbaland, but I think this album is fantastic

Missy Elliott had years of experience as a writer and performer before releasing her debut. That maturity shows. In addition, her close working relationship with influential producer Timbaland is on full display here as well. This is an exceptional release. It was not written for me. This is a black urban album from a woman's perspective. That in and of itself would put it on my list. However, the music is creative and exceptional throughout. Timbaland's style (I call it stutter stop production, but I am sure there is a better phrase) became ubiquitous in the decade, but I am not sure the work with Miss Elliott is not the peak.

Missy is a queen. Point blank, period.

This album is super-duper fly.

Solid gold. Peak Timberland, rising missy = banger. missy remains an underrated talent, despite being rated highly.

Makes me want to walk like Christoper Walken in that Fat Boy Slim video. Favorite track is Why You Hurt Me.

Wow. How did this come out in 1997 am still sound like the future in 2022? The production and rapping were both great and it clearly influenced everyone from OutKast to Drake who pushed hip hop to be more ambitious as a genre. And this was a debut album?! Extremely bold but it works! I never heard this before and will need to relisten to fully grasp it all.

This was great! Loved her voice.

Very melodic. Love the harmonies and the background sounds...horns, pianos, etc. And the rapping is excellent.

Love this

missy elliott is amazing, she’s influential and wonderful.

Not my usual thing but I figured this had to be good. But I wasn’t so sure I would like it. Turns out I really like this album… great guests, great harmonies, great album!

Wow 90's rap is dope!

Enjoyable

Top notch. A bit too RnB for me but the more times I listened, the more I enjoyed it. Great beats and great colabs and fair play to Missy for breaking into a male dominated industry with so much confidence, attitude and talent. Has no doubt paved the way for many other women

Staple album.

Crazily strong debut. Just fresh and solid from top to bottom.

Is aight. Pretty dope.

A fun album - it does not contain my favourite Missy Elliot but it’s a great record nonetheless - soulful, playful - great collaborations and the production is impeccable. There’s a lot of Missy Elliot’s sass right below the surface but it hasn’t bloomed yet in full glory on this record..

Never listened to this before but I really liked it. I was nostalgic anyway

good

pass the dutchie on the left hand side

Really enjoyable. Beats are minimally produced which allows the vocals to shine. Minimal beat boxing mixed into the beats give an organic feel. Rap mixed with 90s style R&B with thick vocal harmonies. Overall, fun and very easy on the ears. Will listen again. That talk box is sneaking back in in friendly skies. Get out, talkbox 😡

Sick Timbo beats and Missy’s lyrics on point make for a classic album and even the guest artists add to rather than detract from the whole (not always the case). As with so many rap albums, more judicious editing would make for a shorter, tighter, slicker album (I could do with fewer r and b tracks - Missy, why you *sing* that you such a great rapper?!?). Regardless, a classic, significant and influential record which shook up the hip hop sound and showed female rappers could break out of a mould which up to that point had them having to out-thug the men.

CLASSIC

pretty good, I liked it I think I liked it a little more than the other Missy Elliot album I got 8/10

Really tasty beats, good songs. Feel like it doesn't quite capture the quintessential Missy Elliot we would hear later on.

Only one fantastic song but the whole album is pretty good

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: The rain

Missy Elliott in this sounds like a girl you over here at Denny’s at 1am on a drunken Saturday night and love the story she is telling. I like it

6/24 Bomb Timbaland production over Missy's fly singing and rapping, classic. Standout Track: Hit Em wit da Hee, The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly), They Don't Wanna Fuck wit Me, Bite Our Style Interlude, Izzy Izzy Ahh, Gettaway

Great album. Lots of fantastic hip hop with a smooth serving of R&B to top it off. Easy 4 stars.