Missy Elliott is full of wisdom, and she’s now offered advice to artists who are making their second album.
Often, artists can become unstuck in their sophomore offering because they’ve had their entire lives to make their debut album, whereas, they only have a year to make the follow-up. It’s a true test of a musician and many have failed to jump over the hurdle.
In 1999, Missy Elliott released her second album, Da Real World, after the mammoth success of her debut, Supa Dupa Fly. She rose to the occasion, and it was met with much acclaim thanks to the hit singles ‘She’s a Bitch’, ‘All N My Grill’, and ‘Da Real World’.
Now in a Twitter thread, Elliott wrote: “Sophomore albums are a very PIVOTAL time for [artists]. Your sophomore album be stressful but it’s the BEST ALBUM to EXPERIMENT on! Don’t be AFRAID! Becuz If u play safe you will be BOXED in & its hard to get out because your fans get used to that 1 sound.”
She continued: “Listen CLOSELY! Go with the songs you feel you should drop not what everyone else suggest! You the Artist must FEEL it YASELF because YOU are the one that have have to SELL it & CONVINCE ppl it’s HOT. Go with your GUT! Fearless.”