Missy Elliott

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Missy Elliott formed the all-women R&B group Fayze (later renamed Sista) in 1988 with friends. She was introduced to Timothy Mosley (Timbaland) by Melvin Barcliff (Magoo), who was trying to recruit Timbaland to be the group's producer. In 1991, Fayze caught the attention of Jodeci member DeVante Swing by performing Jodeci songs a cappella backstage after a concert. The group moved to New York City and signed to Elektra Records through DeVante's Swing Mob imprint. Elliott wrote and rapped on Raven-Symoné's 1993 debut single 'That's What Little Girls Are Made Of', which peaked at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. After Swing Mob folded, Elliott and Timbaland worked as a songwriting/production team, crafting tracks for SWV, 702, and Aaliyah. They wrote and produced nine tracks for Aaliyah's second album, One in a Million (1996), which went double platinum. Elliott signed a deal in 1996 to create her own imprint, The Goldmind Inc., with East West Records. Her debut album Supa Dupa Fly was released in mid-1997; the success of its lead single 'The Rain' led the album to be certified platinum.

In Their Own Story

In 1996, after leaving Swing Mob, Elliott and Timbaland worked together as a songwriting/production team, crafting tracks for acts including SWV, 702, and most notably Aaliyah. The pair wrote and produced nine tracks for Aaliyah's second album, One in a Million (1996), among them the hit singles 'If Your Girl Only Knew', 'One in a Million', 'Hot Like Fire', and '4 Page Letter'. Elliott contributed background vocals and/or guest raps to nearly all of the tracks on which she and Timbaland worked. One in a Million went double platinum and made stars out of the production duo. Elliott and Timbaland continued to work together for other artists, later creating hits for artists such as Total ('What About Us?'; 1997), Nicole Wray ('Make It Hot'; 1998), and Destiny's Child ('Get on the Bus'; 1998), as well as one final hit for Aaliyah, 'I Care 4 U', before her death in 2001. Elliott also wrote the bulk of Total's second and final album Kima, Keisha, and Pam and Nicole Wray's debut Make It Hot (both released in 1998). Elliott began her career as a featured vocalist rapping on Sean 'Puffy' Combs's Bad Boy remixes to Gina Thompson's 'The Things That You Do', MC Lyte's 1996 hit single 'Cold Rock a Party', and New Edition's 1996 single 'You Don't Have to Worry'. In 1996, Elliott also appeared on the Men of Vizion's remix of 'Do Thangz'.

Reader's Guide

Missy Elliott's most notable collaboration with Nas is on the track 'Zone Out' from Nas's 2002 album 'God's Son.' On this song, Missy brings her signature off-kilter flow and playful wordplay, complementing Nas's more straightforward, introspective verses. The track stands out for its energetic, almost chaotic production, which mirrors Missy's style. Their chemistry is evident, as both artists push each other to explore new rhythmic territories. For Nas, working with Missy allowed him to tap into a more experimental sound, while for Missy, it reinforced her credibility in the hardcore hip-hop scene. The collaboration also appeared on Missy's compilation 'This Is Not a Test!' (2003), further cementing their mutual respect. Beyond this song, they have shared stages and mutual admiration, with both artists citing each other as influences. Missy's contribution to Nas's catalog is a reminder of the power of cross-pollination in hip-hop, blending East Coast lyricism with Southern and futuristic influences.

Did You Know?

• Missy Elliott was born on July 1, 1971, at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Portsmouth, Virginia.
• She was the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and to receive the MTV VMA's Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
• Her song 'Hot Boyz' set a 19-year record for most weeks atop the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart and spent 18 weeks atop the Hot Rap Songs chart.
• Elliott's third and fourth albums, Miss E... So Addictive (2001) and Under Construction (2002), made her the sole recipient of both Grammy Awards for Best Female Rap Solo Performance.
• In 2023, she became the first female rapper to be nominated and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.