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December 22, 2001 // 6:39 p.m. // 09: Missy Elliott, Miss E...So Addictive
09 Missy Elliott Miss E...So Addictive Release date: May 15, 2001 So you're thinking a hip hop album? I could never enjoy a hip hop album! But as Missy says in her intro, 'my album is so addictive.' Nothing could be more true. In fact, it isn't even Missy who raps, but the people who appear on her album. Missy Elliott has made a career out of not quite singing, but not quite rapping. Combined with the beats of sidekick Timbaland, produces one of the smoothest albums of the year. Because of this, of all hip hop albums released this year, this may be the most accessable to all crowds. It's fun. It'll get you dancing. It's addictive. The first addictive track is the beat of "Dog In Heat." Using a simple irresistible beat, Missy lets Wu-Tang's Redman and Method Man take over the song while she resigns herself to the chorus. As far as the current single "Take Away" goes, I'd say enjoy the music above all. The lyrics take a back seat to the music. It's as close as you'll get to a ballad on this album (other than the bonus tracks), and is a refreshing change from the get up and dance attitude the album has to the mellow vibe of the song. If anything, this song would go better on a Ginuine album (who is the male R&B voice on the track) than a Missy Elliott album. She hops right back into the addictive beat with "4 My People" is another fun and great song to let play at a party. "The party's jumpin'/I see something fine/Boy I wanna kiss you/but I'm just too shy/Let me dance with you, let me wear you out//Here's a glass of orange juice, let's go X it out." The only drawback is Eve. Her voice doesn't mix well with this song. "Whatcha Goin' Do" whether by coincidence or intentional (I lean toward the latter) contains a blatant sample of the Blackalicious song "Smithzonian Institute of Rhyme" that's as obvious as Vanilla Ice's ripoff of Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure." The only problem is Blackalicious is not credited in the credits, thus he stole the beat. Most people won't notice this, as they don't know the original, but I hope the members of Blackalicious find this out and take legal action. The last track on the album appears to be the remix of "One Minute Man" featuring Jay-Z instead of Ludacris, but Missy, in addition to giving us an enhanced CD for the web, gives us two bonus tracks that we can find only after searching through 12 or so empty tracks. Are they worth it? Not to me. "I'm Movin' On" is another slow song that sounds too much like her "I've Changed" interlude. Plus, this is more interlude than song. It's less than two minutes long. The other, "Higher Ground" is the most R&B song on the album, has a bit of a gospel undertone and sounds more like R&B singer Mary J. Blige and Lil' Mo than anyone. It should be noted that this song is not sung by Missy, but I have no clue who sings it. What real reviewers said: With hip-hop as her inspiration, Missy put a fresh spin on the genre by combining classic soul with R&B melodies, funky lyrics, and futuristic stutter-step production from her partner Timbaland. Missy's influence was not only musical, but it was visual as she shut down all black female rapper stereotypes. On Miss E So Addictive, Missy once again proves that she still has the skills to break new ground with her sounds, satisfy a variety of hip-hop tastes, and still compete with hip-hop's "mainstream" females. Definitely the formula to keep fans addicted. Kweli Wright, Cdnow.com 2001 honors: Video of the year, "Get Ur Freak On" (Vibe magazine) Platinum album (1.3 million sold) Single of the year, "Get Ur Freak On" (Spin magazine) Single of the year, "Get Ur Freak On" (Blender magazine) Single of the year, "Get Ur Freak On" (Muzik) One of Top 15 albums of 2001, Miss E So Addictive (Blender magazine) Co-produced the summer smash remake of "Lady Marmalade" from Moulin Rouge. The singles: "Get Ur Freak On", "One Minute Man", "Take Away." Also check out: "One Minute Man (remix)", "Dog In Heat", "Whatcha Gonna Do", "4 My People"