This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Missy Elliots' 3rd studio album Miss E...So Addictive. The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and #32 on the New Zealand albums chart. A lot of music critics have it ranked as one of the best albums of 2001. It was mostly written and produced by Missy with her friend and long-time collaborator Timbaland. The album garnered two Grammy Awards for Best Rap Solo Performance And Best Female Rap Solo Performance. In honour of its' 20th anniversary let's take a look back at the bangers this album produced.
"Get Your Freak On"
The first single from the album is possibly one of Missys' most recognizable songs in her catalogue. It's one of the best songs period from the 2000s era. Peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #24 on the New Zealand Top 40. The song has been featured in a variety of movies such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie and The 40-Year-Old Virgin starring Steve Carell.
"One Minute Man"
As hard as it is to have a hit in the industry one hit song does not make an album. It is the follow-up singles that can really determine the strength and impact of a project and Missy certainly hits the mark with the 2nd single which features rapper Ludacris. Multiple remixes were made to the song, one featuring Jay-Z which is included at the end of the album and another for the video which also featured rapper Trina.
"Take Away"
The third single, while the least successful of all the singles from the project, is low-key the best one in our opinion. The song and its accompanying music video, released on November 5, 2001, are dedicated to Aaliyah, who was killed in a plane crash on August 25, 2001. If you have to question why Missy would dedicate a song to the late singer we might have to question your knowledge about 90s hip-hop and R&B culture/history. The album version of the single features vocals from 702 ember Kameelah Williams while the video version features vocals from newcomer at the time Tweet.
"4 My People"
The fourth and final single from the album. The end of the video for "Take Away" featured a snippet of the song, it would also receive its own standalone video. A huge hit in the UK it peaked at #5. It also hit within the Top 40 for the charts of Germany, Switzerland, France, and Sweden.
While Missy had been on the scene making "urban hits" since the mid 90s this album was really the launch point for her run in the 2000s that would truly make her a pop icon. Take some time and take a trip back to 2001 to revisit this album.
