[New Music] Missy Elliot Returns With "WTF"!

Missy Elliot's brand of creativity has been a source of inspiration for many- myself included.

Carving her way through the rap game with great production, unique rhymes and a visual aesthetic that doesn't trade on her sexuality, this Diva is a legend for not only what she has achieved with her career (thus far) but also how she went about it. And thankfully, she's back to provide the next generation of female rappers an alternative route to that taken by Nicki Minaj, Azealia Banks and Iggy Azalea, who serve body and controversy just as much (if not more) as lyrical skill.

[Music Video] Fantasia (Feat. Kelly Rowland & Missy Elliot): "Without Me"

I was not expecting such levels of seduction from Fantasia, but it looks like serial smut peddler Kelly Rowland -who co-stars in the video, alongside Missy Elliot- has been spreading her saucy gospel amongst her peers.

I'm only joking! Despite the dark and seedy vibe of both the music and the visuals, the reality is, Without Me is actually a feisty break-up track. Co-written by the singer, the song speaks of an ungrateful and lying ex who, if one reads between the lines, might have been gay ("Boy, I know the real you (ga, ga, yay, ga)"). Well, he better have been because being gay should never be used as a slur, Franny!

I'm actually surprised at how much I like Without Me. This and Lose to Win might just have swayed me into picking up her latest album, Side Effects of You. Now if only Kelly and Franny could have a word with Michelle Williams, we might be able to get Destiny's Child mark 2 up and running. 

2003 Summer Classic: Beyonce, Missy Elliot, Mc Lyte and Free "Fighting Temptation"

Hot, uncomfortable and sticky nights are here, meaning only one thing- no the heating isn't on the fritz- the arrival of summer! So what better time to roll out some sympathetic music to enjoy the season by.   

Fighting Temptation is a song that totally epitomises the season for me- a feat no doubt helped tremendously by it featuring not one, not two but four sizzling Divas, in the form of Beyonce, Mc Lyte, Free and Missy Elliot, on the one track!

Beyonce's warming timbre is given the task of handling the melodious vocals of the chorus, while the verses are left to the remaining rappers to run amoc over, with their usual brand of creative and stylistically individual flow.

With the songs laid back beat, old school horns, and hazy loved up feel, Fighting Temptation's summery atmosphere is incredibly potent. So much so, I guarantee* it can make it feel like summer no matter the time of year, or the weather outside. Try it next time it's minus 50 degrees outside and your marrow is beginning to freeze in your very bones! Take a listen after the jump.