Missy Elliott’s trials and tribulations — and there have been plenty of each — were well documented last night on her Behind The Music special on VH1. In the hour-long special, the MC, born Melissa Arnette Elliott, opens up about many of her personal struggles: growing up in poverty, being sexually abused by her cousin, watching her violent father terrorize her family, losing her beloved friend Aaliyah, and her current battle with Grave’s Disease. Thankfully, it’s not all tragedy — we see the promising beginnings of her music career as part of a group called Fayze, the chance meeting with lifelong friend and collaborator Timbaland, and the point where she becomes one of the biggest hip-hop stars in the game. Watch the whole special below.

Missy’s pals Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Ciara and Timbaland, among others, make cameos during the special to talk about the hip-hop star. Her friend, rapper Melvin Magoo, even reveals that he coined her stage name “Misdemeanor”: “Her ability to write, rap and produce was almost like a crime.”

“People are always like, where you been? I haven’t seen you in a minute,” says the rapper of her five-year absence. “I’ve been working on my album, and making sure it’s hot.” We’re even showed footage of Missy and Timbaland in the studio recording “Take Ur Clothes Off” for her long-delayed (but no less anticipated) new album Block Party.

Welcome back, Missy! We missed ya.

Missy Elliott touched down in London town for a performance at the Barclaycard Wireless Festival in Hyde Park on Saturday (July 3). Misdemeanor worked the stage in her signature adidas tracksuit, reaching back into her catalog with “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” and “Sock It 2 Me,” plus crowd pleasers such as “One Minute Man” and “Get Ur Freak On.” During a wardrobe change, Missy introduced her protégée Shreya, before returning to the stage for “Work It” and “Lose Control.”

Queen Latifah will go behind the wheel in the video for her new single featuring Missy Elliott.


The rapper-turned-actress will shoot a video for “Fast Car,” the next single from her new album Persona, later this month. Missy will race across the finish line with her fellow femcee in the clip, which will be directed by Chris Robinson.

Expect something fast and furious from the Oscar nominee. “We’re thinking of doing something a little more in-depth, creating a short film for her record,” Robinson tells Rap-Up.com.

Queen Latifah’s ninth studio album Persona is due out August 25

Ginuwine brought Missy Elliott out of hiding to perform his song “Get Involved” on “The Late Show with David Letterman” on Thursday. Check out Ginuwine’s Michael Jackson dance tribute at the end and Missy’s MJ shirt.