The one Missy Elliott song Missy Elliott hated but was convinced to make
Missy Elliott was a superstar in the late ’90s and early ’00s, selling millions of records and winning several Grammys while she was at it. She was a defining artist of the era, but she didn’t do it alone. Key to her success was Timbaland.
Missy and Elliott met as neighbours in the late ’80s, while Missy was in a band called Fayze, which later became known as Sista. Timbaland started producing music for the group, and they all joined a wider musical collective called Swing Mob. Missy and Timbaland’s musical affinity endured even after they left the collective, and they continued to write songs together for other artists.
Missy eventually released her first solo album in 1997. Supa Dupa Fly was a huge success, selling lots of copies and making a star out of its main woman. Timbaland produced it, and he, too, was widely praised for the futuristic sound he had created for it. They were ideal musical partners, bringing out the best in each other and finding great success.
Timbaland would go on to produce the bulk of Missy’s albums to follow, with the exception being her most recent album, 2005’s The Cookbook. On this record, Missy’s sixth, Timbaland only produced two tracks. But, broadly speaking, it’s fair to say that Timbaland was a pivotal factor in Missy’s success through the years.
Throughout their partnership, Missy generally trusted Timbaland’s musical instincts, but, as she admitted during an appearance on Shade 45, there were brief moments when she doubted him. When he presented her with the beat for her song ‘Gossip Folks,’ for example, she was dubious.
“I hated ‘Gossip Folks,’” she admitted. “I hated ‘Gossip Folks.’”
‘Gossip Folks,’ which featured Ludacris, was ultimately selected as the second single from Missy’s second album Under Construction in 2002, but, clearly, she wasn’t initially that into the track when she first heard it. Thankfully for all involved, she was convinced to work with it.
The lyrics that she and Timbaland wrote for the track served as a response to rumours that had been circulating about Missy at the time. The “gossip folks” that she was referencing were obsessed with questions about her sexuality and her weight, so this song was, in essence, telling them to mind their business.
Despite Missy’s initial reservations, the song was a hit. It was a top-ten hit in both the UK and the US, while it also topped the Billboard Dance Club Play chart. It was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.