Da Real World

Last updated

Da Real World
Missy Elliott - Da Real World - Album.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 22, 1999 (1999-06-22)
Recorded1998–1999
StudioMaster Sound Studios
(Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Genre
Length62:00
Label
Producer Timbaland
Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott chronology
Supa Dupa Fly
(1997)
Da Real World
(1999)
Miss E... So Addictive
(2001)
Singles from Da Real World
  1. "She's a Bitch"
    Released: April 20, 1999
  2. "All n My Grill"
    Released: September 13, 1999
  3. "Hot Boyz (Remix)"
    Released: November 9, 1999

Da Real World is the second studio album by American rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, released on June 22, 1999, by East West, Elektra, and The Goldmind. The album is noted for adding a raunchier and darker style to Elliott's music, as well as including the overt political use of the term "bitch". The album features guest appearances from B.G., Juvenile, Lil' Mo, Nicole, Beyoncé, Eve, Eminem, Lady Saw, Da Brat, Aaliyah, Big Boi of Outkast, Lil' Kim, MC Solaar, and Redman.

Contents

The album debuted at number ten on the US Billboard 200 chart. [1] The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). [2] It spawned the singles "She's a Bitch", "All N My Grill", and "Hot Boyz (Remix)".

Background

Originally titled She's a Bitch, Elliott commented on the choice for the title as a positive way of expressing herself as a "strong woman in power"; she also stated that she felt very pressured while recording this album, and explained that she was afraid of experiencing a sophomore slump.[ citation needed ] Elliott dedicated the album to the victims of the Columbine High School massacre.[ citation needed ]

Singles

On March 4, 1999, "She's a Bitch" was sent to local radio stations in the United States as the lead single for the album. Elliott went on to release two additional singles: "All n My Grill" and "Hot Boyz (Remix)", featuring Eve, Nas, and Lil' Mo.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Entertainment Weekly A− [4]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [6]
Muzik Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [7]
NME 7/10 [8]
Pitchfork 8.0/10 [9]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Spin 8/10 [12]

Da Real World received critical acclaim from music critics. Keith Farley of AllMusic declared it an "excellent follow-up" and added that "it's clearly a Missy Elliott album in most respects, with Timbaland's previously trademarked, futuristic-breakbeat production smarts laced throughout." [3] Entertainment Weekly felt that "Da Real World marks steps in several right directions — both for rap and for understanding the never-ending battle of the sexes." [4]

Touré of Rolling Stone compared the album to George Lucas's epic space opera Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) and wrote: "Da Real World is much-anticipated and futuristic, with a hype that outstrips the reality. The concept is more interesting than the execution." He added that "even if Da Real World isn't a successful one, the album, somewhat, recalls Queen Latifah." [11]

Commercial performance

Da Real World debuted at number ten on the US Billboard 200 chart, becoming Elliott's second top-ten debut and staying on the chart for a total of 39 weeks. [1] On February 4, 2000, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over a million copies in the United States. [2] As of November 2015, the album has sold 1,068,000 copies in the US. [13]

Track listing

All songs produced by Timbaland. Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [14]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Mysterious" (Intro) 1:07
2."Beat Biters"4:24
3."Busa Rhyme" (featuring Eminem)5:01
4."All n My Grill" (featuring Big Boi and Nicole Wray)
4:44
5."Dangerous Mouths" (featuring Redman)
3:29
6."Hot Boyz"
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
3:36
7."You Don't Know" (featuring Lil' Mo)
4:48
8."Mr. D.J." (featuring Lady Saw)
4:30
9."Checkin' for You (Interlude)" (featuring Lil' Kim)
2:09
10."Stickin' Chickens" (featuring Aaliyah and Da Brat)
4:55
11."Smooth Chick"
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
4:18
12."We Did It"
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
3:51
13."Throw Your Hands Up (Interlude)" (featuring Lil' Kim)
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
  • Jones
1:18
14."She's a Bitch"
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
4:00
15."U Can't Resist" (featuring Juvenile and B.G.)4:37
16."Crazy Feelings" (featuring Beyoncé)
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
4:34
17."Religious Blessings" (Outro) 0:39
Total length:62:00
Europe bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
18."All n My Grill" (featuring MC Solaar and Nicole Wray)
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
4:47
Total length:66:47

Sample credits [14]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Da Real World
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [27] Silver60,000^
United States (RIAA) [28] Platinum1,068,000 [13]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for Da Real World
RegionDateFormatLabel
United StatesJune 22, 1999
United KingdomJune 24, 1999

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missy Elliott</span> American rapper (born 1971)

Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott, sometimes nicknamed as Misdemeanor, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She began on her musical career as a member of the R&B girl group Sista during the 1990s, who were part of the larger musical collective Swing Mob—led by DeVante Swing of Jodeci. The former group's commercially unsuccessful debut album, 4 All the Sistas Around da World (1994), was released by Elektra Records and met with positive critical reception. She collaborated with album's producer and Swing Mob cohort Timbaland to work in songwriting and production for other acts, yielding commercially successful releases for 702, Aaliyah, SWV, and Total.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tweet (singer)</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1971)

Charlene Keys, better known by the stage name Tweet, is an American singer-songwriter.

<i>Supa Dupa Fly</i> 1997 studio album by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott

Supa Dupa Fly is the debut studio album by American rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, released July 15, 1997, on The Goldmind, East West, and Elektra Entertainment Group. The album was recorded and produced solely by Timbaland in October 1996, and features the singles, "The Rain ", "Sock It 2 Me", "Hit Em wit da Hee" and "Beep Me 911". Guest appearances on the album include Busta Rhymes, Ginuwine, 702, Magoo, Da Brat, Lil' Kim, and Aaliyah. The album was recorded in just two weeks.

<i>Miss E... So Addictive</i> 2001 studio album by Missy Elliott

Miss E... So Addictive is the third studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott. It was released by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records on May 15, 2001, in the United States. The album spawned the club and R&B/hip-hop hits "One Minute Man", featuring Ludacris and Trina, and "Get Ur Freak On", as well as the international club hit "4 My People" and the less commercially successful single "Take Away".

<i>Under Construction</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Missy Elliott

Under Construction is the fourth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records on November 12, 2002, in the United States. The album was primarily produced by Timbaland, with additional production by Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart, Errol "Poppi" McCalla and Elliott herself.

<i>This Is Not a Test!</i> 2003 studio album by Missy Elliott

This Is Not a Test! is the fifth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records on November 25, 2003, in the United States. It was primarily produced by Timbaland, with additional production from Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart and Elliott herself.

<i>The Cookbook</i> 2005 studio album by Missy Elliott

The Cookbook is the sixth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released on July 4, 2005, by The Goldmind Inc. and Atlantic Records in Germany and the United Kingdom, and on July 5 in the United States and Japan. To date, it is her final long play studio effort.

<i>The Notorious K.I.M.</i> 2000 studio album by Lil Kim

The Notorious K.I.M. is the second studio album by American rapper Lil' Kim. It was released on June 27, 2000, by Atlantic Records and was her first album on her new label Queen Bee Entertainment. It debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 229,000 copies in its first week, achieving Lil' Kim's highest peak and biggest first-week sales, and reached the top of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. A commercial success, The Notorious K.I.M. was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on August 2, 2000. It was the best-selling female rap album in 2000 with sales of over 1.4 million copies in the United States. To date, The Notorious K.I.M. has sold 5.1 million copies worldwide.

The Goldmind, Inc. is an American record label founded in 1997 by rapper Missy Elliott. Elliott and Goldmind were once distributed through East West Records & Elektra Entertainment Group, Until 2004 when Time Warner sold WMG to a private investment group. The new owners then merged the Elektra with sister label Atlantic Records, transferring Elliott and Goldmind. Goldmind is home to Missy Elliott, specializing in R&B/hip-hop/soul music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missy Elliott discography</span>

The discography of American rapper Missy Elliott consists of six studio albums, three compilation albums, one extended play, seventy-four singles and twenty solo music videos.

<i>Make It Hot</i> 1998 studio album by Nicole Wray

Make It Hot is the debut studio album by American singer Nicole Wray. The album was released in August 1998 through Missy Elliott's Elektra-distributed vanity label, The Goldmind. The album was produced by Missy Elliott and Timbaland. Some editions of the release credit Nicole as Nicole Ray, a name she only used here and on her single "I Can't See".

<i>Southern Hummingbird</i> 2002 studio album by Tweet

Southern Hummingbird is the debut studio album by American singer Tweet, released on April 2, 2002, by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records. The album features production by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, Timbaland, Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart, guitarist John "Jubu" Smith, and Tweet herself. It also features guest vocals by Elliott, Bilal, and Ms. Jade, and included a bonus track performed by Elliott, "Big Spender", which samples the song of the same name from the 1966 musical Sweet Charity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaliyah discography</span>

American singer Aaliyah has released three studio albums, two compilation albums, and 31 singles. Aaliyah was born in Brooklyn, New York City and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At age 10, she appeared on Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At age 12, Aaliyah signed a deal with Jive Records and Blackground Records. During that time, she met R. Kelly through her uncle Barry Hankerson; eventually, he became her mentor, sole lead songwriter, and producer for her debut album. Released in 1994, Aaliyah's debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, was certified double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sold three million copies in the United States. Months after the release of her album, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed with Atlantic Records due to allegations of an illegal marriage with Kelly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's a Bitch</span> 1999 single by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott

"She's a Bitch" is a song recorded by American rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. It was written by Elliott and Timbaland for her second album, Da Real World (1999), while production was helmed by the latter. The song was released by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records as the album's lead single in April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Boyz (song)</span> 1999 single by Missy Elliott

"Hot Boyz" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Missy Elliott featuring American rapper and singer-songwriter Lil' Mo. The remix version of the song was an urban hit featuring Nas, Eve and Q-Tip. The remix broke the record for most weeks at number-one on the US R&B chart on the issue dated January 15, 2000; as well as spending 18 weeks at number one on the Hot Rap Singles from December 4, 1999, to March 25, 2000, a record not broken until "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X in 2019. The song also reached number 5 on the US Hot 100 on January 15, 2000. In the UK, the song became the biggest hit from the Da Real World album; it peaked at #18, being Missy's sixth top 40 and fourth top 20 solo success. On February 4, 2000 the song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<i>Welcome to Our World</i> 1997 studio album by Timbaland & Magoo

Welcome to Our World is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Timbaland & Magoo. It was released on November 11, 1997, through Blackground Entertainment and Atlantic Records. The production was handled by Timbaland, except for the song "Joy", which was produced with Smoke E. Digglera. It features guest appearances from Playa, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Shaunta Montgomery, & Mad Skillz.

<i>Release Some Tension</i> 1997 studio album by SWV

Release Some Tension is the third studio album by American R&B vocal group SWV. It was released by RCA Records on July 29, 1997. The album guest appearances by E-40, Puff Daddy, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Foxy Brown, Lil' Cease, Lil' Kim, Snoop Dogg and Redman. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments exceeding 500,000 copies in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sock It 2 Me</span> 1997 single by Missy "Misdeameanor" Elliott featuring Da Brat

"Sock It 2 Me" is a song recorded by American rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott featuring American rapper Da Brat. It was written by Shawntae Harris, William Hart, Thom Bell and producer Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley for her debut album Supa Dupa Fly (1997) and released as the album's second single in a slightly re-recorded form. The song is based on a sample from the 1968 single "Ready or Not Here I Come " by the Delfonics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hit Em wit da Hee</span> 1998 single by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott featuring Lil Kim and Mocha

"Hit 'Em wit da Hee" is a single by singer/rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. The track is found on her debut album, 1997's Supa Dupa Fly. The single was not eligible to chart in the U.S., and it was a success overseas, reaching No. 25 in the UK, her fourth consecutive top 40 hit. The music video edit of the song contains sampled strings from the Björk song "Jóga". In The U.S. the album version was released to radio and it received minor mainstream urban radio airplay and peaked at No. 61 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. Released from Supa Dupa Fly, it was the final single from the album during summer 1998.

"Lick Shots" is a buzz single by American recording artist Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott from her third album, Miss E... So Addictive (2001). The song was written and produced by both Elliott and frequent collaborator Timbaland.

References

  1. 1 2 "Billboard Chart History – Missy Elliott". Billboard . Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "RIAA Certifications – Missy Elliott". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Farley, Keith. "Da Real World – Missy Elliott". AllMusic . Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Browne, David (June 25, 1999). "Da Real World". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  5. Sullivan, Caroline (June 25, 1999). "Danger mouth". The Guardian .
  6. Weingarten, Marc (June 20, 1999). "Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott; 'Da Real World'; Gold Mind/EastWest". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  7. Crysell, Andy (August 1999). "Missy Elliott: Da Real World (EastWest)". Muzik (51): 79.
  8. Patterson, Sylvia (June 19, 1999). "Missy Elliott – Da Real World". NME . Archived from the original on October 16, 2000. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  9. Hope, Clover (October 27, 2024). "Missy Elliott: Da Real World". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  10. "Missy Elliott: Da Real World". Q . No. 155. August 1999. p. 103.
  11. 1 2 Touré (July 8, 1999). "Missy Elliott: Da Real World". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on March 16, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  12. Seymour, Craig (August 1999). "Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott: Da Real World". Spin . Vol. 15, no. 8. p. 150. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  13. 1 2 Trust, Gary (November 22, 2015). "Ask Billboard: Missy Elliott's Career Album Sales". Billboard . Los Angeles, California: Valence Media . Retrieved November 22, 2015.
  14. 1 2 Da Real World (booklet). Elektra, The Goldmind. 1999.
  15. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 8398". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  16. "Dutchcharts.nl – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  17. "Lescharts.com – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  18. "Offiziellecharts.de – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  19. "Swedishcharts.com – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  20. "Swisscharts.com – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  21. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  22. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  23. "Missy Elliott Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  24. "Missy Elliott Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  25. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 24, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  26. "1999 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-56. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  27. "British album certifications – Missy Elliott – Da Real World". British Phonographic Industry.
  28. "American album certifications – Missy Elliott – Da Real World". Recording Industry Association of America.