Let’s be clear, Missy Elliott is and will always be universally relevant in the world of music.
Misdemeanor Elliott has been an unstoppable force since establishing herself as a trailblazer for R&B and hip-hop music and its culture in the early 90s. Some people, such as myself, may say they first heard Elliott and her iconic “hee-hee-hee-hee-how” line on Gina Thompson’s hit “The Things I Do.” Others may remember Elliott’s artistic expression in a large black trash bag from her 1997 video “The Rain.”
What remains consistent with those possible introductions to Ms. Elliott is R&B has been the meeting place. For instance, the chorus on “The Rain” samples “I Can’t Stand the Rain” by ‘70s soul diva Ann Peebles. Missy Elliott not only lent her rap talents to the remix of Thompson’s lead single – she co-penned the track too, which is one of the reasons why we’re here.
For the past few months, Elliott has been on Twitter sharing memories of writing and producing R&B songs for past and present artists. Rated R&B has compiled a list of Elliott’s top 15 R&B hits that she either produced, wrote or was featured on, along with a reason why they are absolute FIYAH (as Elliott would say).
Aaliyah – “One in a Million”
Written by: Melissa “Missy” Elliott & Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley
Produced by: Timbaland
“One in a Million” is FIYAH because it helped shift the direction of R&B and the way we heard it with its advanced melting pot of melody and rhythm. From Kanye West and BJ the Chicago Kid to Jay Z and Tink, the cultural impact of this record is undeniable. The song spent six weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
Now this gem right here CHANGED THE SOUND OF MUSIC! @Timbaland & I recorded Aaliyah in Detroit & 1 thing about her she NEVER 2nd guessed our sound she was ahead of da game! Tim & I style was bounce so I wrote 2 da tracks like Rap/Sing because I wasn’t a great singer🤷🏾♀️ pic.twitter.com/2aGEb9m9yV
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) March 12, 2018
Total – “What About Us?”
Written by: Missy Elliott & Timbaland
Produced by: Timbaland
“What About Us” is FIYAH because it made our exes feel guilty as hell for leaving us for someone else – who was probably less desirable anyway. The song peaked at No. 16 on Billboard’s Hot 100 while it reached No. 4 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart.
Let’s get the timeline popping again🙌🏾🙌🏾 This another joint I wrote for Total called “What About us” with @Timbaland on da beat👍🏾 I remember after we recorded this we were dancing round like we was in da video this song we did 4 da movie SOUL FOOD & in 2018 it still BANGS🔥 pic.twitter.com/6DahnnLICw
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) March 9, 2018
Fantasia – “Without Me” feat. Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliott
Written by: Fantasia Barrino, Missy Elliott, Al Sherrod Lambert, Harmony Samuels & Kyle Stewart
Produced by: Harmony Samuels
On top of the female unity, “Without Me” is FIYAH because like on “The Things I Do” by Gina Thompson, Elliott gave us another lyrical verse with killer sound effects: “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha / You think that shit funny?” “Without Me” reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart while it peaked at No. 6 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in 2013.
Ciara – “1, 2 Step” feat. Missy Elliott
Written by: Phalon “Jazze Pha” Alexander, Missy Elliott & Ciara Harris
Produced by: Jazze Pha
Aside from its blazing production and its ability to make us dance, Elliott adds FIYAH to “1,2 Step” by incorporating elements of “Square Biz” by The Queen of Ivory Soul Teena Marie in her verse. In 2005, “1,2 Step” rose to No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The dance jam reached No. 4 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart as well.
Funfact I remember @jazzepha hit me & said I got a new artist @ciara & she on FIRE🔥 Imma send some tracks 4 u to write to. When I heard this 1 I said let me write the verses kind of rap/Singy when I sent the demo I was scared they wouldnt like it but they did & CIARA KILT THIS🔥 pic.twitter.com/Mrg2v8GZ5c
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) February 24, 2018
Tweet – “Oops, Oh My” feat. Missy Elliott
Written by: Missy Elliott & Charlene “Tweet” Keys
Produced by: Timbaland
Elliott brought FIYAH to Tweet’s lead single “Oops (Oh My)” from Southern Hummingbird by making it okay to undress in the mirror and express self-love to yourself –even if it’s through masturbation. “Oops (Oh My)” reached No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 2002.
This GOHARD!👋🏾I remember after tweet wrote “Oops” we needed another song so I got in the stu wit @Timbaland & he played this beat & I ran in the booth & starting sanging anything then this🤷🏾♀️😩😂& tweet came in with them harmonies🙌🏾🔥 our crew always been Da FUTURE🚀🔥 pic.twitter.com/Sz8l6zD130
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) April 27, 2018
Fantasia – “Free Yourself” feat. Missy Elliott
Written by: Missy Elliott & Craig Brockman
Produced by: Craig Brockman & Missy Elliott
Unafraid to work with a new artist, Elliott embraced Fantasia and wrote the title track of her debut album. The soulful record is FIYAH because Elliott’s background vocals added just enough drama to the relatable lyrics Tasia sung – which has probably been true to us once in our lifetime.
Last tbt many only know me as a artist & not as a writer & producer since the early 90’s another gem @TasiasWord #FreeYourself I wrote & produced with my boys Nissan & Craig when I played it for Tasia she told me hook up the Mic & in the 1st take I said oh she Annointed🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/F5nFOrk58k
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) February 23, 2018
Keyshia Cole – “Let It Go” feat. Lil’ Kim and Missy Elliott
Written by: Keyshia Cole, Missy Elliott, Kimberly “Lil’ Kim” Jones, Jack Knight & James Mtume
Produced by: Missy Elliott & Cainon Renard Lamb
Besides being the summer jam in 2007, “Let It Go” is FIYAH because it was the first official track we heard Lil ‘Kim on (Elliott’s idea) since being released from prison a year prior. Plus flipping “Juicy” by The Notorious B.I.G. only made it right to add the original Queen Bee.
This @KeyshiaCole track me & my boy @daRealLamb produced it fun fact my original rap line was “Ill Take Yo Man” & Keyshia heard it & said NAH YOU GOTTA CHANGE THAT I FEEL SOME TYPE OF WAY🤣😂so I changed it 2 “I Don’t Want Yo Man” 🤣I asked @LilKim to jump on it & it STILL BANG🔥 pic.twitter.com/4M1MmWmdX9
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) March 1, 2018
Monica – “So Gone” feat. Missy Elliott
Written By: Missy Elliott, Kenneth Cunningham & Jamahl Rye
Produced by: Missy Elliott & Spike & Jamahl
Elliott and Monica have always been great musical pair. Their 2003 collaboration “So Gone” is FIYAH because Elliott used a phone conversation with the After the Storm singer to make this hood anthem come to life. In 2016, “So Gone” became a viral social media challenge that took the internet by storm.
#Tbt #Funfact I remember when I wrote this joint the idea came from me listening to Monica fussing on the phone about something & I said 🤔 this some tea☕ I’m gonna make a song about it a (HoodAnthem) for the ladies & Monica the one who can pull it off👊🏾& she killed it💯✔ pic.twitter.com/n9FJr0jRt7
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) February 22, 2018
702 – “Where My Girls At?”
Written by: Missy Elliott, Eric Seats & Rapture Stewart
Produced by: Missy Elliott, Eric Seats & Rapture Stewart
Elliott laced 702 with FIYAH on “Where My Girls At” by giving ladies everywhere the green light to check a chickenhead who tried to step to their man.
Did you know Elliott originally offered the song to TLC but the studio session never happened?
“Where My Girls At?” peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1999.
This song I wrote called #WhereMyGirlsAt for the group #702 I produced with my boys Eric & Rapture. I actually originally wrote this for the group TLC but that didn’t happen so I said #702 will Kill this. I wanted it to be a Main chick anthem 4 the side chicks it’s still a BOP🔥 pic.twitter.com/BdEqarj1tU
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) February 25, 2018
Nicole Wray – “Make It Hot”
Written by: Missy Elliott, Timbaland, & Aleesha Richards
Produced by: Timbaland
With Nicole Wray’s husky melodic tone and Elliott’s ill lyrics, “Make It Hot” is FIYAH because this record made staying with a trash ass guy sound fly as hell. In 1998, “Make It Hot” was climbed to No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100. It also peaked at No. 2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
@Ladynicolewray always been a star she most def had that IT factor & I wrote this joint “Make it Hot”4 her this prolly 1 of the illest melodies I’ve ever did but I remembered I wanted it 2 be about chicks who still stay with dudes who do em wrong🤷🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️😂 #TIMELESS🔥 pic.twitter.com/GLbWHj1XHT
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) March 21, 2018
Mýa – “My Love Is Like …. Woo”
Written by: Missy Elliott, Kenneth Bereal & Charles Bereal
Produced by: CKB, Missy Elliott & Ron Fair
The help of some patron gave Elliott the liquid courage to pen “My Love is Like …. Woo,” which is FIYAH because she allowed us to confidently brag about our loving making skills. Mýa’s “My Love is Like … Woo” became a top-20 single on Billboard’s Hot 100. The song also reached No. 9 on Billboard’s Rhythmic chart.
Another joint I wrote for the talented @MYAPLANET9 called “My Love is Like Whoa” I just remember I had 10 shots of patron🍷🤦🏾♀️😳😩😂 writing the lyrics😬& I played it for mya & we was dancing round the studio having a ball this video SHE DID dAT & Choreography lit🙌🏾🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/05zNMvDQ3e
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) February 24, 2018
SWV – “Can We” feat. Missy Elliott
Written by: Missy Elliott & Timbaland
Produced by: Missy Elliott & Timbaland
Before landing on their third studio album, Release Some Tension, “Can We” appeared on the Booty Call soundtrack. The sexually imaginative track is FIYAH because it helped ladies spice up their love making. Although it didn’t get a chance to soar on Billboard’s Hot 100 (No. 75), “Can We” did peak at No. 1 for one week on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
This @THEREALSWV song called “Can We” I wrote & I remember I was so geeked 2 work wit SWV becuz they had BOPS🔥& they sang this🙌🏾 THEY MERKED IT! The night Biggie passed he saw me in da club & asked if me & @Timbaland did this I said yes😬(scared) HE SAID DAT 💩HOT🔥its A HIT pic.twitter.com/vqlXGbjslW
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) March 6, 2018
Monica – “Everything to Me”
Written by: Missy Elliott, Cainon Lamb, Jazmine Sullivan, Fritz Baskett, Clarence McDonald & June Deniece Williams
Produced by: Missy Elliott & Lamb
“Everything to Me” is FIYAH is because Elliott reintroduced a new generation to an oldie, but classic – “Silly of Me” by Deniece Williams. Mo and Williams performed the latter track plus “Everything” at the 2010 BET Awards. In 2010, Monica’s “Everything to Me” topped Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for seven consecutive weeks.
I produced this wit my boy @dareallamb a Deneice Williams song so I sampled her & @jsullivanmusic wrote it🔥🙌🏾 I remember when I played it 4 @monicabrown she LOVED IT! But she was like MISSY WHO SINGING THAT HIGH NOTE?🙄I was like U😂 her throat was sore & she still KILT IT🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/xfIIi5HRc3
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) April 8, 2018
Jazmine Sullivan – “Need U Bad”
Written by: Missy Elliott, Cainon Lamb, Taurian “TJ” Osborne, Dave Sinclair, Nicholas Taylor Stanton & Jazmine Sullivan
Produced by: Missy Elliott & Lamb
Missy Elliott always knew Jazmine Sullivan was destined for greatness, and was instrumental in the release of her debut single “Need U Bad.” The reggae-infused track is FIYAH because it was Sullivan’s formal introduction to the world. Jazmine Sullivan got a chance to be an artist and not just a songwriter and a demo singer. Sullivan’s “Need U Bad” topped Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for four weeks. The song made it to the top 40 (No. 37) on the Hot 100 chart.
I produced this with my boy @daRealLamb 4 @jsullivanmusic & I remember thinking her voice so mature for her age so the track has to b soulful We was scared to play it thinking she would say Hell Nah I need a club joint but she wrote to it & Sung on a broken mic wit black tape🤣 pic.twitter.com/fsDaTkyfdW
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) February 28, 2018
Aaliyah – “I Care 4 U”
Written by: Missy Elliott & Timbaland
Produced by: Timbaland
Aaliyah and Missy were a perfect match. It showed on their collaboration “I Care 4 U,” which appeared on the late singer’s posthumous compilation album under the same name. The slow burner ballad is FIYAH because Elliott was able to give us one of the final memories from Aaliyah’s legacy. In 2002, Aaliyah’s “I Care 4 U” became a top 20 hit (No. 16) on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. It also reached No. 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Did any of your favorite songs make this list? If so, tell us why it’s FIYAH to you.