Editing Missy Elliott (section)

==Career==

=== 1988–1995: Early work and Sista ===
[[File:Noelia, Timbaland and Jorge Reynoso.jpg|left|alt=Two persons seated and one standing over a mixing board; at the far right is Timabland|thumb|Elliott's childhood friend [[Timbaland]] (pictured in 2012, far right) helped define her sound and the two have continued working together for decades]]
In 1988, Elliott formed an all-women [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] group called Fayze (later renamed Sista)<ref name="Kellman">Kellman, Andy. "[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1687503|pure_url=yes}} Still Standing – Monica]". [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved on March 23, 2010.</ref> with friends La'Shawn Shellman, Chonita Coleman, and Radiah Scott.<ref>{{cite web|author=Andy Kellman|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/missy-elliott-mn0000502371|title=Missy Elliot|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=November 24, 2019|archive-date=October 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018081606/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/missy-elliott-mn0000502371|url-status=live}}</ref> She was introduced to her neighborhood friend [[Timbaland|Timothy Mosley (Timbaland)]] by [[Magoo (rapper)|Melvin Barcliff (Magoo)]] who was trying  to recruit his Dj Timbaland to be the group's [[record producer|producer]] and began making demo tracks, among them included the 1991 promo "First Move".<ref name="ew1">{{cite magazine|last=Brown|first=Ethan|title=Everyone Wants Timbaland|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/03/23/timbaland-wants-be-his-own-star/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 23, 2007|access-date=January 16, 2010|archive-date=February 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228080503/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20015777,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in 1991, Fayze caught the attention of [[Jodeci]] member and producer [[DeVante Swing]]<ref name="sunshine" /> by performing Jodeci songs [[a cappella]] for him backstage after one of his group's concerts. In short order, Fayze moved to New York City and signed to [[Elektra Records]] through DeVante's [[Swing Mob]] imprint and also renaming the group Sista. Sista's debut song was titled "Brand New", which was released in 1993<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web|last=Birchmeier|first=Jason|title=Missy Elliott&nbsp;– Biography|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p212097/biography|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=Allmusic|year=2005|access-date=April 18, 2008}}</ref> Elliott took Mosley & Barclif whom DeVante re-christened the duo as [[Timbaland & Magoo]].

All 20-plus members of the Swing Mob—among them future stars such as [[Ginuwine]], [[Playa (band)|Playa]], and [[Tweet (singer)|Tweet]]<ref name="How They Made It">{{cite book|last=Kimpel|first=Dan|title=How They Made It|publisher=[[Hal Leonard Corporation]]|year=2006|page=[https://archive.org/details/howtheymadeittru0000kimp/page/38 38]|isbn=0634076426|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/howtheymadeittru0000kimp/page/38}}</ref>—lived in a single two-story house in New York and were often at work on material both for Jodeci and their own projects.<ref name= universe /> While Elliott wrote and rapped on [[Raven-Symoné]]'s 1993 debut single, "[[That's What Little Girls Are Made Of]]" which was her first big musical breakthrough, peaking at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart,<ref name= dispatch /> she also contributed, credited and uncredited, to the Jodeci albums ''[[Diary of a Mad Band]]'' (1993) and ''[[The Show, the After Party, the Hotel]]'' (1995). Timbaland and DeVante jointly produced a Sista album, entitled ''[[4 All the Sistas Around da World]]'' (1994). Though videos were released for the original and remix versions of the single "Brand New", the album was shelved and never released.<ref name= ew1 /> One of the group's tracks, "It's Alright" featuring [[Craig Mack]] did however make the cut on the [[Dangerous Minds (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] of the 1995 motion picture ''[[Dangerous Minds]]'' but by the end of 1995, Swing Mob had folded and many of its members dispersed. Elliott, Timbaland, Magoo, Ginuwine, and Playa remained together and collaborated on each other's records for the rest of the decade as the musical collective The Superfriends.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Carlos|first1=Marjon|title=Missy Elliott tops iTunes charts after killing it at the Super Bowl|url=http://fusion.net/story/42515/missy-elliott-stays-winning/|website=fusion.net|publisher=Fusion Media Network|access-date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204061900/http://fusion.net/story/42515/missy-elliott-stays-winning/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Higgins|first1=Keenan|title=Timbaland Surprises Shaggfest With Missy Elliott & Magoo|url=http://www.vibe.com/2012/06/timbaland-surprises-shaggfest-missy-elliott-magoo/|website=Vibe.com|publisher=Spin Media|access-date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204203658/http://www.vibe.com/2012/06/timbaland-surprises-shaggfest-missy-elliott-magoo/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last1= Hobbs| first1= Linda| title= One In A Million| date= December 2008| work= Vibe| pages= 113| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qiYEAAAAMBAJ&q=super+friends+missy+elliott&pg=PA113| access-date= January 27, 2016| archive-date= March 29, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210329042741/https://books.google.com/books?id=qiYEAAAAMBAJ&q=super+friends+missy+elliott&pg=PA113| url-status= live}}</ref>

=== 1996–1998: ''Supa Dupa Fly'' ===
[[File:Aaliyah Dana Haughton 02.jpg|alt=Aaliyah smiling|thumb|Elliott began collaborating with other artists in the late 1990s, including Aaliyah (pictured in 2000).]]
After leaving Swing Mob, Elliott and Timbaland worked together as a songwriting/production team, crafting tracks for acts including [[SWV]], [[702 (group)|702]], and most notably [[Aaliyah]].<ref name="How They Made It"/> The pair wrote and produced nine tracks for Aaliyah's second album, ''[[One in a Million (Aaliyah album)|One in a Million]]'' (1996), among them the hit singles "[[If Your Girl Only Knew]]", "[[One in a Million (Aaliyah song)|One in a Million]]", "[[Hot Like Fire]]", and "[[4 Page Letter]]".<ref name= Allmusic /> Elliott contributed background vocals and/or guest raps to nearly all of the tracks on which she and Timbaland worked. ''One in a Million'' went [[double platinum]] and made stars out of the production duo. Elliott and Timbaland continued to work together for other artists, later creating hits for artists such as [[Total (group)|Total]] ("[[What About Us? (Total song)|What About Us?]]"; 1997), [[Nicole Wray]] ("[[Make It Hot (Nicole Wray song)|Make It Hot]]"; 1998), and [[Destiny's Child]] ("[[Get on the Bus (song)|Get on the Bus]]"; 1998), as well as one final hit for Aaliyah, "[[I Care 4 U (song)|I Care 4 U]]", before her death in 2001. Elliott also wrote the bulk of [[Total (group)|Total]]'s second and final album ''[[Kima, Keisha, and Pam]]'' and [[Nicole Wray]]'s debut ''[[Make It Hot]]'' (both released in 1998). Elliott began her career as a featured vocalist rapping on [[Sean Combs|Sean "Puffy" Combs]]'s Bad Boy remixes to [[Gina Thompson]]'s "[[The Things That You Do]]", (which had a video featuring cameo appearances by Notorious B.I.G and Puff Daddy), [[MC Lyte]]'s 1996 hit single "[[Cold Rock a Party]]" (backup vocals by Gina Thompson), and [[New Edition]]'s 1996 single "[[You Don't Have to Worry (New Edition song)|You Don't Have to Worry]]". In 1996, Elliott also appeared on the Men of Vizion's remix of "Do Thangz" which was produced by [[Rodney Jerkins]] (coincidentally the producer of the original version of "[[The Things That You Do]]").

Combs had hoped to sign Elliott to his [[Bad Boy Records|Bad Boy]] record label. Instead, she signed a deal in 1996 to create her own imprint, [[The Goldmind Inc.]], with [[East West Records]], which at that time was a division of [[Elektra Records|Elektra Entertainment Group]], for which she would record as a solo artist.<ref name="How They Made It"/> Timbaland was again recruited as her production partner, a role he would hold on most of Elliott's solo releases. Missy continued to work with other artists and appeared on [[LSG (band)|LSG]]'s song "All the Time" with [[Gerald Levert]], [[Keith Sweat]], [[Johnny Gill]], [[Faith Evans]], and [[Coko]] in 1997 on Levert Sweat Gill classic album. The same year, she rapped in "Keys To My House" with old friends group [[LeVert]]. In the center of a busy period of making guest appearances and writing for other artists, Elliott's debut album, ''[[Supa Dupa Fly]]'', was released in mid-1997; the success of its lead single "[[The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)|The Rain]]" led the album to be certified platinum.<ref name= Allmusic /> Elliott wore an oversized trash-bag looking jumpsuit in the music video, and at [[Lilith Fair]], an outfit media articles have considered one of her most recognizable "fashion moments".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/missy-elliott-most-iconic-fashion-moments/5-missy-elliott-im-better-ft-lamb/|title=Missy Elliott's Most Iconic Fashion Moments: From 'The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)' to 'Throw It Back'|magazine=Billboard|last=Saunders|first=Nicole}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/-28407/missy-elliott-the-rain-supa-dupa-fly-28493/|title=The 100 Greatest Music Videos|magazine=Rolling Stone|location=Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/missy-elliott-shares-incredible-fan-made-tribute-to-her-hit-the-rain-2741757|title=Missy Elliott shares incredible fan-made tribute to her hit 'The Rain'|work=NME|date=August 31, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4762705/met-gala-2017-solange-photo/|title=Solange Knowles Pays Homage to Missy Elliott's Iconic Trash Bag Ensemble With Her Met Gala Look|magazine=Time}}</ref>

The success was also a result of the music videos of her single releases, which were directed by [[Hype Williams|Harold "Hype" Williams]], who created many groundbreaking hip hop, Afro-futuristic videos at the time. The album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the [[1998 Grammy Awards]], but lost to [[Puff Daddy]]'s ''[[No Way Out (Puff Daddy album)|No Way Out]]''. The year also saw Elliott perform live at the [[MTV Video Music Awards]] show on a remix to [[Lil' Kim]]'s "[[Not Tonight (song)|Ladies Night]]" with fellow rappers [[Da Brat]], [[Angie Martinez]] and [[TLC (group)|TLC]]-rapper [[Lisa Lopes|Left Eye]]. Elliott continued her successful career in the background as a producer and writer on [[Total (group)|Total]]'s single "Trippin'", as well as working with several others in the hip-hop and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] communities. Elliott co-wrote and co-produced two tracks on [[Whitney Houston]]'s 1998 album ''[[My Love Is Your Love]]'', providing vocal cameos for "In My Business" and "Oh Yes". Elliott also produced and made a guest appearance on [[Spice Girls|Spice Girl]] [[Mel B|Melanie Brown]]'s debut solo single, "I Want You Back", which topped the [[UK Singles Chart]] in Brown's native United Kingdom and is Elliott's only chart-topping song in that country.

=== 1999–2001: ''Da Real World'' and ''Miss E... So Addictive'' ===
Although a much darker album than her debut, Elliott's second album was just as successful as the first,<ref name=VH1-3>[http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/hip_hop_honors/_2007/honoree_detail.jhtml?id=missy&page=3 Missy Elliott – Me, I'm Supa Dupa Fly]{{dead link|date=November 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} ''VH1''. Accessed September 14, 2008.</ref> selling 1.5 million copies and 3 million copies worldwide. She remarked, "I can't even explain the pressure. The last album took me a week to record. This one took almost two months...I couldn't rush it the second time because people expect more."<ref name=VH1-3/> ''[[Da Real World]]'' (1999) included the singles "[[All n My Grill]]", a collaboration with [[Nicole Wray]] and [[Big Boi]] (from [[OutKast]]), a remix to "[[Hot Boyz (song)|Hot Boyz]]" and "[[She's a Bitch]]". Also in 1999, Elliott was featured, alongside Da Brat, on the official remix to a Mariah Carey single "[[Heartbreaker (Mariah Carey song)|Heartbreaker]]".<ref name="MTV News 2">{{cite web|title=Mariah Carey Casts "Rainbow" For Next LP; Taps Missy, Da Brat For Remix|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1426929/19990813/carey_mariah.jhtml|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=August 13, 1999|access-date=May 7, 2009|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040128/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1426929/mariah-carey-casts-rainbow-next-lp-taps-missy-da-brat-remix.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> A music video was filmed for the remix, shot in black and white and featuring a cameo appearance by Dogg. The Desert Storm Remix is acclaimed by music critics and became a cult remix .<ref name="allmusic">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r239065}}</ref>

Missy Elliott next released ''[[Miss E... So Addictive]]'' on May 15, 2001. The album debuted at number two in the United States and sold 250,000 copies in its first week.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prod.warnermediagroup.com/newsroom/press-releases/2001/05/24/highlight-wmg-artists-score-three-top-ten-debuts-on-billboard|title=WMG Artists Score Three Top Ten Debuts on Billboard Album Chart This Week|work=[[WarnerMedia]]|date=May 24, 2001|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=June 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607151850/https://prod.warnermediagroup.com/newsroom/press-releases/2001/05/24/highlight-wmg-artists-score-three-top-ten-debuts-on-billboard|url-status=live}}</ref> It spawned the massive pop and urban hits "[[One Minute Man]]" (as to which MTV wrote: "Missy Elliott Plays [[Dr. Ruth]] On New Single"), featuring [[Ludacris]] and [[Trina]], and "[[Get Ur Freak On]]", as well as the international [[Club music|club]] hit "[[4 My People]]" and the less commercially successful single "[[Take Away (song)|Take Away]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1443130/missy-elliott-plays-dr-ruth-on-new-single/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150117032626/http://www.mtv.com/news/1443130/missy-elliott-plays-dr-ruth-on-new-single/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 17, 2015|title=Missy Elliott Plays Dr. Ruth On New Single|website=MTV News}}</ref> The double music video for "Take Away/4 My People" was released in the fall of 2001, shortly after the sudden death of Elliott's close friend Aaliyah on August 25 and the [[9/11]] terrorist attacks. The "Take Away" video contained images of and words about Aaliyah, and the slow ballad acted as a tribute to her memory. The remainder of the video was the more upbeat "4 My People", contained scenes of people dancing happily in front of American flags and Elliott dressed in red, white and blue. Though "Take Away" was not a success on radio, "4 My People" went on to become an American and European [[nightclub|club]] hit due to a popular remix by [[house music]] duo [[Basement Jaxx]] in 2002.

[[Tweet (singer)|Tweet]]'s appearance on Elliott's "Take Away" as well as her cameo at Elliott's house on ''[[MTV Cribs]]'' helped to create a buzz about the new R&B singer. Tweet's own debut single, "Oops (Oh My)", was co-written by Elliott and released through Goldmind in February 2002. The single was a top ten hit, thanks partially to Elliott's songwriting and guest rap, and to Timbaland's unusual production on the track. Elliott co-produced the [[Christina Aguilera]], [[Lil' Kim]], [[Mya (singer)|Mýa]] and [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] cover of "[[Lady Marmalade#Moulin Rouge! version|Lady Marmalade]]" for the album ''[[Moulin Rouge! Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film]]'',<ref>{{cite news |title= Missy hitting the mark |work= The Straits Times |location= Singapore |date= January 30, 2003 |first= Tommy |last= Wee |url= http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=10015ADE0C3C38A3&p_docnum=6&p_queryname=15 }}</ref> which went to number one on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] in 2001.

=== 2002–2004: ''Under Construction'' and ''This Is Not a Test!'' ===
For her next outing, Elliott and Timbaland focused on an old school sound, utilizing many old school rap and funk samples, such as [[Run-DMC|Run–DMC]]'s "Peter Piper" and [[Frankie Smith]]'s "Double Dutch Bus". Elliott's fourth album, 2002's ''[[Under Construction (album)|Under Construction]]'' (see [[2002 in music]]) is known as the best selling women rap album with 2.1 million copies sold in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=July 8, 2008|title=Ask Billboard|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Nielsen Company|Nielsen Business Media]]|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044856/ask-billboard|access-date=August 1, 2008|archive-date=August 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801171830/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044856/ask-billboard|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2002, Elliott won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance for "Get Ur Freak On".<ref name= dispatch/> In 2003, ''Under Construction'' received Grammy nominations for [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]] and [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]].<ref>[http://www.hollywood.com/news/Grammy_Nominations_Announced/1735316 Grammy Nominations Announced] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326151555/http://www.hollywood.com/news/Grammy_Nominations_Announced/1735316 |date=March 26, 2011 }}. Hollywood.com. Retrieved on December 12, 2015.</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' designated ''Under Construction'' "this year's best hip-hop album".<ref>{{cite news| first= Kelefa| last= Sanneh| date= December 22, 2002| url= https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F02E3DA153DF931A15751C1A9649C8B63&scp=1&sq=%22those+who+rap%22&st=nyt| title= Hip-Hop Divides: Those Who Rap, Those Who Don't| work= The New York Times| access-date= September 14, 2008| archive-date= March 29, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210329042742/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/22/arts/hip-hop-divides-those-who-rap-those-who-don-t.html| url-status= live}}</ref> Elliott released two singles off of [[Under Construction (Missy Elliott album)|Under Construction]]. The lead single, "[[Work It (Missy Elliott song)|Work It]]" reached No. 2 on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'}}s Hot 100 chart and won the "Video of the Year" award at [[MTV]]'s Video Music Awards. The second single, "[[Gossip Folks]]" featuring [[Ludacris]], became a Top 10 hit on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Hot 100 chart, was one of the most-played music videos on [[MTV]], [[MTV2]], [[BET Jams|MTV Jams]], and [[Black Entertainment Television|BET]] in 2003 and was embraced by the dance community, as well as the mainstream, due to a [[Fatboy Slim]] remix.<ref name=VH1-5>{{cite web| url= http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/hip_hop_honors/_2007/honoree_detail.jhtml?id=missy&page=5 |title= Missy Elliott – She Puts Her Thing Down, Flips It, Reverses It| website= VH1.com| access-date= September 14, 2008}}{{dead link|date=November 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> A third single was never released, though a video was shot for "[[Back in the Day (Missy Elliott song)|Back In The Day]]" featuring [[Jay-Z]]<ref>{{cite web| first= Corey| last= Moss| date= January 21, 2003| url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459570/20030117/elliott_missy.jhtml| title= Missy Elliott, Jay-Z Go 'Back in the Day' For New Video| website= MTV.com| access-date= September 14, 2008| archive-date= January 14, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090114175927/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459570/20030117/elliott_missy.jhtml| url-status= dead}}</ref> and Elliott was.

In between albums, Elliott produced the "American Dream Remix" (featuring Tweet's additional vocals) of [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]'s single "American Life", was featured rapper on Timbaland & Magoo's return single, "[[Cop That Shit]]", and produced "Fighting Temptation" (featuring herself, Beyoncé, [[Free (rapper)|Free]] and [[MC Lyte]]) for the soundtrack to the [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]] and [[Beyoncé|Beyoncé Knowles]] movie of the same name. The track reached No. 1 in Japan but failed to chart in the U.S. Hot 100. Elliott was also featured on [[Wyclef Jean]]'s "[[Party to Damascus]]" and [[Ghostface Killah]]'s "[[Tush (Ghostface Killah song)|Tush]]" singles, the latter of which became a minor 2004 dance hit, and had a pivotal role in the film ''[[Honey (2003 film)|Honey]]''. [[Gap Inc.|Gap]] approached Elliott later in the year to co-star in a commercial with Madonna, which received much media attention.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.ephinx.com/tvadverts/tvadvert.php?id=57| title= Gap Cord Jeans Missy Elliott and Madonna| website= Ephinx.com| access-date= December 12, 2015| archive-date= March 4, 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084945/http://www.ephinx.com/tvadverts/tvadvert.php?id=57| url-status= live}}</ref> Elliott furthered her relationship with Madonna by performing the controversial 2003 [[MTV Video Music Awards]] show opening alongside Madonna, [[Britney Spears]] and [[Christina Aguilera]]. Also in September 2003, Elliott performed the theme song "The Opposite Sex" for the [[UPN]] sitcom ''[[Eve (American TV series)|Eve]]'' starring her good friend and fellow rapper [[Eve (rapper)|Eve]]. It lasted for three seasons.

A year after Elliott's most successful album to date was released, Elliott felt pressured by her label to release another album hoping to capitalize on her recent success.<ref name= recipe>{{cite news |title= Missy's recipe for hits |work= Sunday Mail |location= Adelaide, Australia |date= July 10, 2005 |first= Nekesa Mumbi |last= Moody |page= I5 |url= http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=10B4513B5EB9D840&p_docnum=9&p_queryname=14 }}</ref> Elliott's singles, "[[Pass That Dutch]]" and "[[I'm Really Hot]]", from her fifth album, ''[[This Is Not a Test!]]'' (released November 2003), both rose the urban charts. However, both were not as successful at pop radio in comparison to many of her previous efforts. ''This Is Not A Test'' sold 690,000 copies in the United States<ref name= recipe/> and has been [[Platinum certification|certified Platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). Elliott has since stated that "the album ''This Is Not A Test'' came out extremely too quickly for me. I didn't want it to come out when it did."<ref name=yahoo>{{cite news| first= Nekesa Mumbi| last= Moody| date= June 29, 2005| url= http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/21240488| title= Elliott Offers More Conventional Formula| website= Yahoo.com| access-date= September 14, 2008| archive-date= February 12, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080212031423/http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/21240488| url-status= live}}</ref> In 2004, Elliott was featured on [[Ciara]]'s hit single "[[1, 2 Step]]", with her verse interpolating [[Teena Marie]]'s single, "Square Biz". Elliott premiered her own reality show on the [[UPN]] Network, ''[[The Road to Stardom with Missy Elliott]]'' in 2005 even though it was not renewed for a second season. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, she sold more than 7.6 million copies in the United States, being a woman rapper with best-selling albums in the country, followed by [[Lauryn Hill]] (seven million), [[Lil' Kim]] (four million), and [[Eve (rapper)|Eve]] (four million) at the time.<ref name="ew sales"/>

=== 2005–2006: ''The Cookbook'' ===
[[File:Missy Elliott 2006.jpg|alt=Elliott in a track suit with a microphone|thumb|Elliott onstage in 2006]]
Elliott wanted to "give people the unexpected" by utilizing producers other than Timbaland and a "more to the center" sound not as [[Out of left field|far left]] as her other music.<ref name=yahoo/> Her sixth solo album, ''[[The Cookbook]]'' was released on July 4, 2005, debuted at number two on the U.S. charts and was later certified [[Music recording certification|platinum]] in 2022 by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for selling over 1,000,000 copies in the United States. Elliott's work during ''The Cookbook'' era was heavily recognized. Elliott received 5 [[Grammy]] nominations in 2005, including one for Best Rap Album for ''The Cookbook''. The album's first single, "Lose Control", won a Grammy for Best Short Form Video and was nominated for Best Rap Song. "Lose Control" also garnered Elliott six 2005 MTV VMA award nominations (winning Best Dance Video and Best Hip-Hop Video). Elliott won Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the 2005 [[American Music Award]]s, and was nominated for Best International Female Artist at the [[2006 BRIT Awards]].

"[[Lose Control (Missy Elliott song)|Lose Control]]" featuring [[Ciara]] and [[Fatman Scoop]], became a Top 5 hit in the midyear (peaking at number three on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]). The second single, Teary Eyed, did not chart, although the video charted on MTV's ''[[Total Request Live|TRL]]'' for a few weeks, and [[Black Entertainment Television|BET]]'s ''[[106 & Park]]'' for a few days. The third single, "[[We Run This]]", was released with heavy airplay on [[VH1]], [[MTV]], and BET. It served as the lead single for the soundtrack to the gymnastics-themed film ''[[Stick It]].'' The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Rap Solo Performance category in 2006. ''[[Respect M.E.]]'', Elliott's first greatest hits album, was released outside the United States and Canada on September 4, 2006, only in South Africa, Australia, Europe, Japan, and Brazil. The collection became her second top ten album in the UK and her highest-charting album to date, peaking at number seven there.

=== 2007–2014: Production focus ===
Elliott was an honoree of the 2007 VH1 Hip Hop Honors.<ref name= classics>{{cite news |title= Local Hip-hop Classics |work= The Virginian-Pilot |location= Norfolk, Virginia |date= October 8, 2007 |first= Malcolm |last= Venable |page= E1 |url= http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=11C33A4277F50708&p_docnum=11&p_queryname=16 }}</ref> In honor of her career, many artists performed some of her biggest hits. Timbaland and [[Tweet (singer)|Tweet]] performed "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)", [[Eve (entertainer)|Eve]] and [[Keyshia Cole]] performed "[[Hot Boyz (song)|Hot Boyz]]" and "Work It", [[Fatman Scoop]] and [[Ciara]] performed "Lose Control", and [[Nelly Furtado]] performed "Get Ur Freak On (The Remix)".<ref>[http://vh1blog.vh1.com/2007/07/vh1-presents-hi.html VH1 Presents Hip Hop Honors]{{dead link|date=November 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. Vh1blog.vh1.com. Retrieved on December 12, 2015.</ref> Since 2007, Elliott's seventh [[studio album]] has had several different forms with extensive delays. In 2007, she worked with Timbaland, [[Swizz Beatz]], [[Danja (record producer)|Danja]], [[T-Pain]] and [[DJ Toomp]] and planned to release an album at the beginning of 2008.<ref name= ewinterview>{{cite magazine|last=Watson|first=Margeaux|title=In the Studio With... Missy Elliott|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/09/28/studio-missy-elliott/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=September 28, 2007|access-date=January 5, 2013|archive-date=June 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625140354/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20059023,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2008, "[[Ching-a-Ling]]" was released as the lead single for the ''[[Step Up 2: The Streets]]'' soundtrack, which also featured "[[Shake Your Pom Pom]]" produced by Timbaland. Elliott released the song "[[Best, Best]]" in the same year<ref>{{cite web|title=Missy Elliott Titles New Album 'FANomenal'|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2008/05/27/missy-elliott-titles-new-album-fanomenal/|work=[[Rap-Up]]|date=May 27, 2008|access-date=January 5, 2013|archive-date=December 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213234516/http://www.rap-up.com/2008/05/27/missy-elliott-titles-new-album-fanomenal/|url-status=live}}</ref> and renamed the albums previous title ''FANomenal'' to its tentative title ''Block Party''.<ref name="back around">{{cite magazine| first= Mariel| last= Concepcion| date= June 10, 2008| url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045131/missy-elliott-goes-back-around-the-block| title= Missy Elliott Goes Back Around The 'Block'| magazine= Billboard| access-date= June 13, 2008| archive-date= September 13, 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140913033943/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045131/missy-elliott-goes-back-around-the-block| url-status= live}}</ref> She later decided against ''Block Party'' and four years later, in 2012, Elliott released two Timbaland-produced singles ("[[9th Inning]]" and "[[Triple Threat (Missy Elliott song)|Triple Threat]]") exclusively to iTunes.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ro |url=http://www.missy-elliott.com/blog/download-triple-threat-and-9th-inning-itunes-now-12171 |title=Download "Triple Threat" and "9th Inning" on iTunes NOW! – Missy Elliott Latest News |website=Missy-elliott.com |access-date=February 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925111208/http://www.missy-elliott.com/blog/download-triple-threat-and-9th-inning-itunes-now-12171 |archive-date=September 25, 2012}}</ref> Though the songs managed to chart on [[Hot Digital Songs|''Billboard'' Hot Digital Songs]],<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Missy Elliott – Chart history|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=missy elliott|chart=Rap Songs B}}|magazine= Billboard |access-date=December 15, 2013}}</ref> in an interview with Yahoo's The Yo Show, Missy talked about her hiatus from making records: "Your brain needs time to refresh! Things happen in your life where you can then write something else instead of the same three topics. Like, how many times we gonna talk about the club? I gotta feel like what I'm giving the fans is 100 percent and that it's game-changing. I don't just throw out microwave records."<ref name="Fuse TV">{{cite web| first= Nicole| last= James| date= February 6, 2014| url= http://www.fuse.tv/2014/02/missy-elliott-hiatus-new-album-interview| title= Missy Elliott On Her Hiatus: 'My Brain Needs Time to Refresh'| website= Fuse.tv| access-date= February 6, 2014| archive-date= February 22, 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140222010228/http://www.fuse.tv/2014/02/missy-elliott-hiatus-new-album-interview| url-status= live}}</ref>

In between the recording of her seventh album, Missy Elliott found success behind the scenes. Elliott's writing and production helped her reach No. 1 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] with [[Keyshia Cole]]'s "Let It Go" (2007), [[Jazmine Sullivan]]'s "Need U Bad" (2008), and [[Monica (entertainer)|Monica]]'s "Everything to Me" (2010). Since 2008, songs written and/or produced by Elliott for [[Fantasia Barrino|Fantasia]] ("Free Yourself"), [[Jennifer Hudson]] ("I'm His Only Woman"), [[Monica (singer)|Monica]] ("Everything to Me"), [[Keyshia Cole]] ("Let It Go"), and [[Jazmine Sullivan]] ("Need U Bad" and "Holding You Down (Goin' in Circles)") have all received [[Grammy]] nominations. Both Fantasia's "Free Yourself" (2005) and Sullivan's "Holding You Down (Goin' In Circles)" reached No. 3 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]]. In mid-2010, Elliott embarked on a two-part tour with stops in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia,<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.bandsintown.com/MissyElliott/past_events | title= Missy Elliott Tour History | website= Bandsintown.com | access-date= December 30, 2016 | archive-date= December 31, 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161231075227/http://www.bandsintown.com/MissyElliott/past_events | url-status= dead }}</ref> while she also performed at VH1's "Hip Hop Honors: The Dirty South" in a tribute to Timbaland, performing "[[Get Ur Freak On]]" and [[Work It (Missy Elliott song)|"Work It"]]. In 2008 she made an appearance in "[[Whatcha Think About That]]" by [[The Pussycat Dolls]], and performed live in different places with them. In 2011 and 2012, Elliott made guest appearances on "All Night Long" by [[Demi Lovato]], "[[Nobody's Perfect (J. Cole song)|Nobody's Perfect]]" by [[J. Cole]], the remix of "[[Why Stop Now (Busta Rhymes song)|Why Stop Now]]" by [[Busta Rhymes]] with [[Chris Brown (American entertainer)|Chris Brown]] and [[Lil Wayne]], and a remix of [[Katy Perry]]'s "[[Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)]]" that helped catapult "T.G.I.F". to No. 1 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. She also produced [[Monica (entertainer)|Monica]]'s singles "Anything (To Find You)" and "Until It's Gone".

Throughout 2013, Missy Elliott was featured on [[Eve (entertainer)|Eve]]'s album cut "Wanna Be",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/04/05/tracklisting-eve-lip-lock/ |title=Tracklisting: Eve – 'Lip Lock' |work=Rap-Up |date=April 5, 2013 |access-date=April 7, 2013 |archive-date=May 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501144055/http://www.rap-up.com/2013/04/05/tracklisting-eve-lip-lock/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as international artists singles, [[Little Mix]]'s "[[How Ya Doin'?]]" and "[[Niliria|NiLiria]]" with K-pop musician [[G-Dragon]], which was named by [[Complex (magazine)|''Complex'' magazine]] as one of the "50 Best Songs of 2013".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/g-dragon-missy-elliott-song-picked-as-one-of-2013s-best/ |title=G-Dragon-Missy Elliott song picked as one of 2013's best |website=mb.com.ph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007002203/http://www.mb.com.ph/g-dragon-missy-elliott-song-picked-as-one-of-2013s-best/ |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |first=Jonathan M. |last=Hicap |date=December 4, 2013 |access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref> Elliott also contributed to her protégée [[Sharaya J]]'s two releases, "Banji" and "Smash Up The Place/Snatch Yo Wigs". In December 2013, Elliott received a [[Grammy]] nomination with [[Fantasia Barrino|Fantasia]] and [[Kelly Rowland]] for their song "[[Without Me (Fantasia Barrino song)|Without Me]]".<ref>{{cite web|last=Bronson|first=Fred|title='American Idol' Alums Nab Six Grammy Nominations|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-alums-nab-six-664018|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=December 8, 2013|access-date=December 15, 2013|archive-date=December 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210050555/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-alums-nab-six-664018|url-status=live}}</ref> As early as July 2013, Missy Elliott and Timbaland held recording sessions for [[Kat Dahlia]]'s debut, ''[[My Garden (Kat Dahlia album)|My Garden]]'' (2015).<ref>{{cite web|title=Kat Dahlia works with Missy Elliott for debut album 'My Garden'|work=Hamada Mania Music Blog |url=http://hamadamania.com/2013/07/19/kat-dahlia-works-with-missy-elliot-for-debut-album-my-garden/|publisher=hamadamania.com|date=July 19, 2013|access-date=March 13, 2014|archive-date=March 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314060435/http://hamadamania.com/2013/07/19/kat-dahlia-works-with-missy-elliot-for-debut-album-my-garden/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2013, R&B singer [[Faith Evans]] revealed that Missy Elliott would be featured on her sixth studio album, tentatively titled ''Incomparable''.<ref name= incomparable>{{cite web| title= Faith Evans Talks NEW Music, Whitney Houston and R&B Divas LA – Studio Q Exclusive| url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT78Jt158wE&t=304| website= [[YouTube]].com| date= August 6, 2013| access-date= August 6, 2013| archive-date= March 29, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210329042827/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT78Jt158wE&t=304| url-status= live}}</ref> In March 2014, Evans revealed one of the tracks was named "[[I Deserve It]]", featuring Missy and her protégée [[Sharaya J]], in which Evans cited it as a "banger" and "feel good" record.<ref name= ratedrnb>{{cite web|last=Folk|first=Antwane|title=EXCLUSIVE: Faith Evans Calls New Missy Elliott Collaboration 'A Banger', Plays 'First & Last' Game|url=http://ratedrnb.com/2014/03/14/exclusive-faith-evans-calls-new-missy-elliott-collaboration-banger-plays-first-last-game/|work=Rated R&B|publisher=ratedrnb.com|date=March 14, 2014|access-date=March 15, 2014|archive-date=March 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315014447/http://ratedrnb.com/2014/03/14/exclusive-faith-evans-calls-new-missy-elliott-collaboration-banger-plays-first-last-game/|url-status=live}}</ref> Evans also revealed that in total Elliott contributed three tracks to her album.<ref name= ratedrnb /> On July 7, 2014, fellow R&B singer [[Monica (entertainer)|Monica]] confirmed that Elliott would be a feature on her upcoming eighth studio album.<ref>{{cite web|title=Monica Confirms Missy Elliott Collaboration For New Album|url=http://www.rttnews.com/2346140/monica-confirms-missy-elliott-collaboration-for-new-album.aspx|publisher=RTTnews.com|date=July 7, 2014|access-date=August 3, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811000702/http://www.rttnews.com/2346140/monica-confirms-missy-elliott-collaboration-for-new-album.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 29, 2014, a snippet of a Missy Elliott–produced song, nickname "I Love Him", premiered on Monica's official [[Instagram]] account.<ref>{{cite web|last=Barnett|first=Vanessa|title=Monica and Missy Elliott Reunite in the Studio|url=http://hiphollywood.com/2014/07/monica-and-missy-elliott-reunite-in-the-studio/|work=HipHollywood|publisher=HipHollywood.com|date=July 29, 2014|access-date=August 3, 2014|archive-date=August 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809235126/http://hiphollywood.com/2014/07/monica-and-missy-elliott-reunite-in-the-studio/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2015–2018: Super Bowl XLIX halftime show and singles ===
In 2015, Elliott performed at the [[Super Bowl XLIX halftime show]] with [[Katy Perry]]. Elliott performed a medley of "Get Ur Freak On", "Work It", and "Lose Control".<ref>{{cite web|last=Reed|first=Ryan|title=Missy Elliott and Katy Perry Will Team Up for Super Bowl Halftime Show|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/missy-elliott-will-join-katy-perry-super-bowl-halftime-performance-20150130|work=[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]|date=January 30, 2015|access-date=January 31, 2015|archive-date=January 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130220119/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/missy-elliott-will-join-katy-perry-super-bowl-halftime-performance-20150130|url-status=live}}</ref> The performance was well-received,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|title=Missy Elliott Works It During Three-Song Super Bowl Halftime Medley|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/super-bowl-2015/6458207/missy-elliott-super-bowl-halftime-show|magazine=Billboard|date=February 2, 2015|access-date=February 3, 2015|archive-date=February 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205031132/http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/super-bowl-2015/6458207/missy-elliott-super-bowl-halftime-show|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kelly|first=Frannie|title='We Need Her': At The Super Bowl, Missy Elliott's Incredible Return|url=https://www.npr.org/2015/02/02/383303328/we-need-her-at-the-super-bowl-missy-elliots-incredible-return|work=NPR.org|date=February 2, 2015|access-date=February 3, 2015|archive-date=February 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203213702/http://www.npr.org/2015/02/02/383303328/we-need-her-at-the-super-bowl-missy-elliots-incredible-return|url-status=live}}</ref> and boosted digital sales of Elliott's work that week, with a twenty-five-fold increase in album sales (to 2,000 units) and a ten-fold increase in sales of the three songs she performed (to 71,000 units) compared to the week before. It also became the most watched Super Bowl halftime show in NFL history, receiving 118.5 million viewers in the United States.<ref>{{cite news| first= Hugh| last= McIntyre| url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2015/02/06/missy-elliott-saw-a-2500-sales-increase-after-the-the-super-bowl/| title= Missy Elliott Saw A 2,500% Sales Bump After The Super Bowl| work= [[Forbes]]| date= February 6, 2015| access-date= February 13, 2015| archive-date= February 13, 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150213113120/http://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2015/02/06/missy-elliott-saw-a-2500-sales-increase-after-the-the-super-bowl/| url-status= live}}</ref> On February 3, 2015, it was confirmed that Elliott would be a feature on the upcoming remix to [[Diplo]] and [[Skrillex]]'s "[[Take Ü There]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=Missy Elliott Goes Top 10 After Super Bowl Performance|work=Rap-Up|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2015/02/03/missy-elliott-goes-top-10-after-super-bowl-performance/|date=February 3, 2015|access-date=February 3, 2015|archive-date=February 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204075425/http://www.rap-up.com/2015/02/03/missy-elliott-goes-top-10-after-super-bowl-performance/|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 11, Elliott stated that she was still in the process of recording her seventh studio album, ''Block Party'', with Timbaland.<ref>{{cite magazine| url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6465928/missy-elliott-timbaland-studio| title= Missy Elliott & Timbaland Are Working on New Music| date= February 11, 2015| first= Erika| last= Ramirez| magazine= Billboard| access-date= February 3, 2015| archive-date= February 13, 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150213131952/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6465928/missy-elliott-timbaland-studio| url-status= live}}</ref> On April 2, 2015, [[Pharrell Williams]] confirmed that he was working on Elliott's album during an episode of ''[[The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZNGOoUg_bk| title= Pharrell Williams Is Working on Missy Elliott's Album| work= YouTube| date= April 2, 2015| access-date= December 12, 2015| archive-date= December 12, 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151212113906/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZNGOoUg_bk| url-status= live}}</ref> On November 12, 2015, "[[WTF (Where They From)]]" and its music video were simultaneously released to digital outlets.<ref>{{cite web| last= Jones| first= Jaleesa M.| title= Missy Elliott drops new video, shocks world| url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2015/11/12/missy-elliott-new-video-wtf-where-they-from/75641270/| work= [[USA Today]]| date= November 13, 2015| access-date= November 13, 2015| archive-date= November 12, 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151112231731/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2015/11/12/missy-elliott-new-video-wtf-where-they-from/75641270/| url-status= live}}</ref> By November 19, the song and its video had been streamed 6.1 million times in the US alone, with an additional count of 16 million views per YouTube viewing.<ref>{{cite magazine | url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6777014/missy-elliott-wtf-top-10-hot-rb-hip-hop-songs | title= Missy Elliott's 'WTF' Hits Top 10 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | magazine= Billboard | date= November 24, 2015 | access-date= December 12, 2015 | archive-date= November 27, 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151127014216/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6777014/missy-elliott-wtf-top-10-hot-rb-hip-hop-songs | url-status= live }}</ref>

On February 7, 2016, the day of the [[Super Bowl 50|fiftieth]] [[Super Bowl]], Elliott released a promotional single, "Pep Rally".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Peters|first1=Mitchell|title=Missy Elliott Shares New Song 'Pep Rally' in Time for Super Bowl 50: Listen|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6867223/missy-elliott-new-song-pep-rally-super-bowl-50-amazon|website=Billboard.com|access-date=February 8, 2016|archive-date=February 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208070430/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6867223/missy-elliott-new-song-pep-rally-super-bowl-50-amazon|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, Elliott reunited with former protégée [[Tweet (singer)|Tweet]] and frequent collaborator Timbaland on the cut "Somebody Else Will" taken from the former's third studio album, ''[[Charlene (Tweet album)|Charlene]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kellman|first=Andy|title=Charlene – Tweet > Overview|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/charlene-mw0002898481|work=[[AllMusic]]|publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]]|access-date=February 27, 2016|archive-date=February 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229233734/http://www.allmusic.com/album/charlene-mw0002898481|url-status=live}}</ref> By March 15, 2016, First Lady [[Michelle Obama]] proclaimed that she had assembled a collaborative track featuring vocals from Missy Elliott, [[Kelly Clarkson]], [[Janelle Monáe]] and [[Zendaya]] alongside production credit from pop songwriter [[Diane Warren]] and Elliott titled "This Is for My Girls".<ref name= mygirls>{{cite web| last= Lindner| first= Emilee| title= Michelle Obama Teams with Missy Elliott, Janelle Monae, Zendaya & More for New Song| url= http://www.fuse.tv/2016/03/michelle-obama-missy-elliott-janelle-monae-zendaya-song-sxsw-this-is-for-my-girls| publisher= [[Fuse (TV channel)|Fuse]]| date= March 15, 2016| access-date= March 15, 2016| archive-date= March 18, 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160318212732/http://www.fuse.tv/2016/03/michelle-obama-missy-elliott-janelle-monae-zendaya-song-sxsw-this-is-for-my-girls| url-status= live}}</ref> The [[iTunes]]-exclusive record will be used to both coincide with Ms. Obama's [[SXSW]] speech and to promote her third-world educational initiative [[Let Girls Learn]].<ref name= mygirls />

Following a surprise appearance with [[TLC (group)|TLC]] on the 2016 televised special ''[[Taraji P. Henson|Taraji]]'s White Hot Holidays'',<ref>{{cite magazine|title=TLC & Missy Elliott Get Into the Christmas Spirit for 'Taraji's White Hot Holidays'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7616343/tlc-missy-elliott-christmas-spirit-tarajis-white-hot-holidays|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=January 27, 2017|access-date=January 27, 2017|archive-date=January 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123114202/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7616343/tlc-missy-elliott-christmas-spirit-tarajis-white-hot-holidays|url-status=live}}</ref> Elliott announced plans to release a documentary chronicling her impact on the production scene in both audio and video.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Feeney|first=Nolan|title=Missy Elliott Drops New Song and Music Video, Announces Documentary|url=https://ew.com/music/2017/01/26/missy-elliott-new-song-announces-documentary/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=January 26, 2017|access-date=January 27, 2017|archive-date=January 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127065046/http://ew.com/music/2017/01/26/missy-elliott-new-song-announces-documentary/|url-status=live}}</ref> The midnight of January 27, 2017, saw the full-length release to a new Elliott single titled "[[I'm Better]]", featuring production and vocal assistance from recurring sideman [[Cainon Lamb|Lamb]] and shared directing credit by Elliott and longtime colleague [[Dave Meyers (director)|Dave Meyers]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Bundy|first=Will|title=Missy Elliott Debuts New Single and Video, 'I'm Better'|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/01/27/missy-elliott-im-better-lamb-single-video|work=[[The Fader|The FADER]]|date=January 27, 2017|access-date=January 27, 2017|archive-date=January 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128021636/http://www.thefader.com/2017/01/27/missy-elliott-im-better-lamb-single-video|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2018, Missy Elliott teased fans by appearing on a snippet nicknamed "ID" by [[Skrillex]],<ref name=":3">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Karlie|title=Skrillex Drops New ID That Sounds Like a Missy Elliott Collab|url=https://www.youredm.com/2018/05/24/skrillex-id-sounds-like-missy-elliott/|work=Your EDM|date=May 24, 2018|access-date=July 5, 2018|archive-date=July 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705175914/https://www.youredm.com/2018/05/24/skrillex-id-sounds-like-missy-elliott/|url-status=live}}</ref> released in 2023 as RATATA. One month later, Elliott appeared on the [[Ariana Grande]] number "Borderline", taken from the singer's fourth studio album ''[[Sweetener (album)|Sweetener]]'' (2018). In October 2018, Elliott announced that she is working on her new album, which would be released in 2019.<ref name="thesource">{{cite web|url=http://thesource.com/2018/10/11/missy-elliott-new-album/|title=Missy Elliott Is Working On A New Album|date=October 11, 2018|access-date=March 22, 2019|archive-date=March 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322041523/http://thesource.com/2018/10/11/missy-elliott-new-album/|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 20, 2019, [[Lizzo]] released a collaboration with Elliott titled "Tempo".

=== 2019–present: Extended play and current work===
On June 13, 2019, Elliott was inducted to the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]], becoming the first female rapper to receive this honor.<ref name= shof>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8515962/missy-elliott-inducted-songwriters-hall-of-fame|title=Missy Elliott Inducted Into Songwriters Hall of Fame|date=June 14, 2019|access-date=June 14, 2019|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=June 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614184533/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8515962/missy-elliott-inducted-songwriters-hall-of-fame|url-status=live}}</ref> Elliott received an [[honorary degree|honorary]] [[Doctor of Music]] degree from [[Berklee College of Music]],<ref name="CNN">{{cite news |title=Missy Elliot, Alex Lacamoire and Justin Timberlake can now call themselves doctors |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/11/entertainment/berklee-college-missy-elliot-justin-timberlake-alex-lacamoire-trnd/index.html |access-date=May 12, 2019 |work=CNN |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512015317/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/11/entertainment/berklee-college-missy-elliot-justin-timberlake-alex-lacamoire-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]].<ref name="usatoday.com">"[https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/08/12/mtv-vmas-missy-elliott-finally-receive-video-vanguard-award/1988658001/ Missy Elliott to be honored at 2019 MTV VMAs with Video Vanguard Award, set to perform] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828011637/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/08/12/mtv-vmas-missy-elliott-finally-receive-video-vanguard-award/1988658001/ |date=August 28, 2019 }}". ''Associated Press''. USA Today. August 12, 2019.</ref> She was also the first female rapper to receive the award.<ref name="dazeddigital.com">Walsh, Neil (August 14, 2019). "[https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/45618/1/missy-elliott-to-receive-mtv-video-vanguard-award-vmas Missy Elliot is the first female rapper to receive MTV Video Vanguard Award] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916054309/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/45618/1/missy-elliott-to-receive-mtv-video-vanguard-award-vmas |date=September 16, 2019 }}". ''Dazed Digital''. Dazed Media.</ref> Elliott received the [[Women's Entrepreneurship Day]] Music Pioneer Award at the United Nations in 2019 in recognition for her achievements in music and being a leader. This award was placed in the Congressional Record.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.womenseday.org/community/wed-annual-pioneer-awards/wedo-annual-pioneer-awards-2019-2/|title=WEDO ANNUAL PIONEER AWARDS 2019|website=Women's Entrepreneurship Day|language=en-US|access-date=December 6, 2019|archive-date=December 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206205415/https://www.womenseday.org/community/wed-annual-pioneer-awards/wedo-annual-pioneer-awards-2019-2/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Elliott released her first [[extended play]] on August 23, 2019, titled ''[[Iconology (EP)|Iconology]]''. The five-track EP features a variety of musical genres that cover the breadth of her career as an artist and has received favorable reviews from critics. Upon release of the album, she also released the lead single, "[[Throw It Back (Missy Elliott song)|Throw It Back]]", with a music video featuring [[Teyana Taylor]]. Musically, ''Iconology'' is a [[Pop music|pop]], [[hip hop music|hip hop]] and [[contemporary R&B|R&B]] EP reminiscent of Elliott's previous work. The opening track, "[[Throw It Back (Missy Elliott song)|Throw It Back]]" contains "[[Trap music|trap]] snares and a serpentine bassline", which along with the second track, "Cool Off", were described as "woozy, futuristic romps" containing "distorted bass lines and frenetic production". Lyrically, "Throw It Back" contains references to Elliott's history, as well as previous collaborators [[Tweet (singer)|Tweet]] and [[Heavy D]]. Maura Johnson of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' described "Cool Off" as calling "back to hip-hop's two-turntables-and-a-mic early days". "DripDemeanor" has been described as a slow jam that explores Elliott's "sensuous side". Musically, it contains "plush synths [that] skip-step underneath" the song's beat. "Why I Still Love You" is a [[doo-wop]] song with [[Gospel music|gospel]] influences and jazz influence that lyrically chronicles the singer's "conflicted emotions about holding on to a cheating lover". The EP closes with an [[a cappella]] version of "Why I Still Love You".

Elliott was motivated to write uplifting music to counter mainstream trends and encourage more [[dance music]] to feel good. "DripDemeanor" was released as the album's second single on October 22. "Why I Still Love You" was released as the third single on January 17, 2020. "Cool Off" was released as the fourth and final single from the EP on April 21, 2020. On June 26, 2020, Elliott appeared on the official remix to [[Toni Braxton]]'s single "[[Do It (Toni Braxton song)|Do It]]".
Elliott co-produced the track alongside Hannon Lane.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/do-it-single/1519291115|title=Do It (Remix) featuring Missy Elliott|work=[[iTunes]]|date=June 26, 2020|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729221736/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/do-it-single/1519291115|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 13, 2020, Elliott appeared on the remix single "[[Levitating (The Blessed Madonna remix)|Levitating]]" by [[Dua Lipa]] which also featured [[Madonna]]. The remix was produced by [[the Blessed Madonna]]. Unlike Madonna, Elliott appeared in the video. The music video was directed by Will Hooper.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/dua-lipa-missy-elliott-levitating-video-retro-runway|title=Dua Lipa and Missy Elliott Serve Up Runway Looks In 'Levitating'|work=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]|date=August 14, 2020|first=Janelle|last=Okwodu|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815204358/https://www.vogue.com/article/dua-lipa-missy-elliott-levitating-video-retro-runway|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 11, 2021, Elliott appeared on the single "ATM" by [[Bree Runway]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Maicki|first=Salvatore|date=January 11, 2021|title=Watch Bree Runway and Missy Elliot's glamorous "ATM" video|url=https://www.thefader.com/2021/01/11/bree-runway-missy-elliott-atm-video|access-date=July 7, 2021|website=[[The Fader]]}}</ref> She directed the music video for "[[Twerkulator]]" by the [[City Girls]] in July 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Strauss|first=Matthew|date=July 7, 2021|title=Missy Elliott Directs City Girls' New "Twerkulator" Video|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/missy-elliott-directs-city-girls-new-twerkulator-video-watch/|access-date=July 7, 2021|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref>
[[File:Missy Elliot on stage in Chicago during Out of This World The Missy Elliott Experience Tour.png|alt=Missy Elliot on stage in Chicago during "Out of This World: The Missy Elliott Experience Tour"|thumb|Missy Elliot on stage in Chicago during "Out of This World: The Missy Elliott Experience Tour"]]
On February 17, 2023, Elliott appeared on the track "RATATA" produced by [[Skrillex]] and [[Mr. Oizo]], the second track on Skrillex's LP "Quest For Fire".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=February 17, 2023 |title=Listen to Skrillex, Missy Elliott, and Mr. Oizo's New Song "Ratata" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-skrillex-missy-elliott-mr-oizo-new-song-ratata/ |website=Pitchfork}}</ref> This release confirmed rumors from 2018 regarding this collaboration,<ref name=":3" /> rumors that resurfaced in the months before the track's release as both Skrillex and Elliot teased the track on social media.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heffler |first=Jason |date=January 13, 2023 |title="DJ, PLEASE PICK UP YOUR PHONE": SKRILLEX TEASES MASSIVE COLLABORATION WITH MISSY ELLIOTT |url=https://edm.com/news/skrillex-missy-elliott-collaboration-2023 |website=edm.com}}</ref> On 23 March 2023, British group [[Flo (group)|Flo]] released the single "Fly Girl", featuring Elliott; the song interpolates Elliott's "[[Work It (Missy Elliott song)|Work It]]", plus new rap section.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/flo-and-missy-elliott-share-video-for-new-song-fly-girl-watch/|title=Flo and Missy Elliott Share Video for New Song "Fly Girl": Watch|website=Pitchfork|last=Ruiz|first=Matthew Ismael|date=23 March 2023|access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/flo-share-missy-elliott-sampling-new-single-fly-girl-radar-3419090|title=FLO team up with Missy Elliott on new single 'Fly Girl'|website=NME|last=Williams|first=Sophie|date=23 March 2023|access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref>

On April 8, 2024, Elliott announced “Out of This World: The Missy Elliott Experience Tour,” the rapper's first headlining tour of her career. The tour began on July 4 in [[Vancouver]], Canada and featured [[Timbaland]], [[Busta Rhymes]] and [[Ciara]] as its opening acts.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=April 8, 2024|url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/missy-elliott-tour-arenas-busta-rhymes-ciara-timbaland-1235963800/|title=Missy Elliott to Embark on First Headlining Tour Ever, With Busta Rhymes, Ciara and Timbaland as Support|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref>