Throwback: Missy Elliott: Get Ur Freak On
Missy Elliott's "Get Ur Freak On" led the rollout for her third album, Miss E... So Addictive. Missy's longtime friend and producer, Timbaland, utilized elements of bhangra music to create a hypnotic Punjabi melody. This fusion of hip-hop and bhangra was unheard of at the time; fans instantly fell in love with the production and Missy's frantic instructions to her listeners. Interestingly, her command for them to explore their lust sounded more like encouragement to play hopscotch than an invitation to bedroom endeavors.
Known for her history of standout visuals, Missy collaborated with director Dave Meyers for the first time on this project. The music video, like many of Missy's hits, became just as important to the song's identity as the track itself. "Get Ur Freak On" was a Top Ten hit on both the American hip-hop and pop charts while also performing exceptionally well internationally in places like the Netherlands and the UK. Multiple critics' polls have since categorized "Get Ur Freak On" not only as one of Missy's best songs but also as one of the most culturally relevant tracks in pop music history. Looking ahead to 2026, Missy collaborated with Kehlani on "Back and Forth" and honored Aaliyah at the Essence Music Festival.
