Missy Elliott Under Construction 2LP

Missy Elliott is, of course, a groundbreaking solo superstar, pioneering producer/songwriter, and across-the-board cultural icon. The four-time GRAMMY® Award winner - with nominations spanning three decades - has achieved unprecedented success, including U.S. sales in excess of 30 million. Missy's six studio albums (including 2001's landmark Miss E...So Addictive and 2002's blockbuster Under Construction) have each been RIAA platinum certified or better, marking her as the only female rapper to achieve that milestone accomplishment.

Under Construction came just one year after its predecessor, Miss E...So Addictive. "Work It" was the biggest hit from the project, and Missy broke the internet 15 years after the track was released when fans discovered that her lyrics were literally reversed for the chorus. The catchy cut found new ears again during the summer of 2018, when a clip of Mary Halsey performing it went viral. Missy and Mary performed it together on the Ellen show soon after. "Work It" won three ASCAP awards, a Billboard award for Hot[test] Rap Track, a Grammy for Best Female Rap Solo Performance, an International Dance Music Award, two MTV VMA's, and NAACP Award, a Soul Train award, a Soul Train Lady of Soul award, and a Vibe Award. So not only is "Work It" one of Missy's most decorated songs, but it has also stood the test of time.

The fact that Missy Elliott still considers her work to be 'under construction' should, justifiably, send everyone else in the rap world scurrying back to the drawing board. No other commercial rapper sounded more in command of her production and flow than Elliott during 2002, and it's no surprise that Under Construction ranks as one of the best rap LPs of the year...