Iconology | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | August 23, 2019 | |||
Recorded | 2018 – April 2019 [1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 14:49 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Missy Elliott chronology | ||||
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Singles from Iconology | ||||
Iconology is the first extended play (EP) by American hip hop artist Missy Elliott, released on August 23, 2019. It is her first body of work since her 2005 album The Cookbook and her first release since Respect M.E. [8] The EP features a variety of musical genres that cover the breadth of her career as an artist and has received favorable reviews from critics. [9] It was released at a time when Elliott returned to music following a lengthy hiatus.
Missy Elliott @MissyElliott At midnight tonight I'm dropping a collection of new songs! Let's #ThrowItBack to a time when music just felt good and made us want to dance! Sincerely, Dr. Melissa "Missy" Elliott #ICONOLOGY
August 22, 2019 [10]
In June 2018, Mona Scott-Young mentioned that she was working with Elliott on a new project but gave no further details on the nature of it or when it would be publicly available. [11] Elliott had generally avoided public performances or recordings outside of guest appearances or occasional singles due to her diagnosis with Graves' disease [12] along with a fear that she was musically irrelevant; [13] Iconology follows the March 2019 release of her collaboration with Lizzo, "Tempo". [8] The following month, Elliott mentioned that she was finished recording an album but said that she would release details later. [1] By June, she was calling the project ME7 and announced the track "Summer" would be on it; she confirmed that she was working with Timbaland again. [14]
Musically, Iconology is a pop, [2] [15] hip hop and R&B EP reminiscent of Elliott's previous work. [15] [16] The opening track, "Throw It Back" contains "trap snares and a serpentine bassline", [15] which along with the second track, "Cool Off", were described as "woozy, futuristic romps" containing "distorted bass lines and frenetic production". [16] Lyrically, "Throw It Back" contains references to Elliott's history, as well as previous collaborators Tweet and Heavy D. [15] Maura Johnson of Entertainment Weekly described "Cool Off" as calling "back to hip-hop’s two-turntables-and-a-mic early days". [15] "DripDemeanor" has been described as a slow jam that explores Elliott's "sensuous side". [15] [16] Musically, it contains "plush synths [that] skip-step underneath" the song's beat. [15] "Why I Still Love You" is a doo-wop song with gospel influences [16] and jazz influence [17] that lyrically chronicles the singer's "conflicted emotions about holding on to a cheating lover". The EP closes with an a cappella version of "Why I Still Love You".
Elliott was motivated to write uplifting music to counter mainstream trends and encourage more dance music to feel good. [18]
Elliott announced the album via social media as a surprise release several hours prior to the album release. [8] Additionally, Elliott was set to be honored at the MTV Video Music Awards as well as performing at the ceremony for the first time in 16 years. [19] [20] Upon release of the album, Elliott also released the lead single, "Throw It Back", with a music video [3] [4] featuring Teyana Taylor. [21] "DripDemeanor" was released as the album's second single on October 22. [22] [5] "Why I Still Love You" was released as the third single on January 17, 2020. [6] "Cool Off" was released as the fourth single from the EP on April 21, 2020. [7]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 73/100 [9] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [23] |
Entertainment Weekly | B [15] |
HipHopDX | 3.9/5 [2] |
The Line of Best Fit | 9/10 [17] |
NME | [24] |
The Philadelphia Inquirer | [25] |
Pitchfork | 4.6/10 [26] |
PopMatters | [27] |
Rolling Stone | [25] |
Iconology received generally favorable reviews from critics noted at review aggregator Metacritic . It has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100, based on ten reviews. [9] Album of the Year assessed the critical consensus as a 67 out of 100. [28] Jem Aswad of Variety gave the EP a positive review, calling it "more like a hearty appetizer than a full meal" and noting, "And although the passage of time has inevitably made her sound evoke feelings of nostalgia, these songs are also completely now". [29] Entertainment Weekly 's Maura Johnson gave Iconology a B, calling it "a bit of a letdown" but made up of strong material. [15] In the Los Angeles Times , Gerrick D. Kennedy calls the EP "a brief reminder of the performer’s genius". [16] Anika Reed of USA Today reacted to the record positively, writing "the project brings back the Missy fans know and love, with booming bass beats that are the perfect backdrop to showcase her lyrical prowess". [30]
Spencer Kornhaber of The Atlantic gave a mixed review, praising the basic musicality but criticizing it for lacking the experimentation of Elliott's earlier career and saying that the release is "perplexing" with each song "feel[ing] driven by a desire to make a point". [31] In NME , Will Lavin described the record as a "a versatile mixed bag" but criticised it for not being a full-length release. [24] Shannon Miller of The A.V. Club agreed with other reviewers that the EP is too brief to satisfy fans but instead argued that the release is a sampler of many of Elliott's styles and wrote that the music "serve[s] as further reassertion of her lasting impact on the industry as a whole... [and] works to further cement her indelible imprint on popular entertainment". [32] Aaron Williams of Uproxx also compared this work to Elliott's 2002 album, Under Construction and her other musical influences while emphasizing her originality on this release. [33]
In the Mail & Guardian , Zaza Hlalethwa takes the opportunity to review Elliott's career through Iconology and the VMA award, noting how Elliott's signature vocal delivery has influenced further artists and her music video aesthetic remains unique, even among other musicians who have followed since her debut; the reviewer asserts that the work "pushes no boundaries" while still showcasing the artist's strengths. [34] Paul Thompson of Vulture gave a brief, mixed review that praises her vocal work but calls the first two opening tracks "replacement-level trap numbers". [35] Dan Weiss of The Philadelphia Inquirer gave the EP 3.5 out of five stars, calling it "an exceedingly slapdash and minimal release... rush-released to cash in on Missy Elliott's Video Vanguard honor" but praising the actual content, including Elliott's vocal performance on the a capella track. [25] Rob Sheffield also emphasized the greatness of Elliott as an artist and ends his Rolling Stone review, "It’s a vital reminder of why we’ve been missing her so much. And of why she'll always be welcome back." [36] Fred Thomas of AllMusic called the album, "a brief and somewhat awkward sampling of various genre exercises, all fun and lively but nowhere near the excellence of Elliott's best" and the editorial staff of the site gave it three out of five stars. [23]
After the site declared the release one of the most anticipated of the year in January, [37] Pitchfork 's Stephen Kearse gave the EP a score of 4.6 out of 10, calling it rushed and stating, "There's nothing insightful or fun about Missy looking back rather than ahead, especially when she's already released two compilation records during her hiatus." [26] PopMatters ' Elisabeth Woronzoff gave the album eight out of 10, echoing the desire for more work from Elliot, calling this a "welcomed returned and a hopeful teaser for upcoming projects". [27]
Credits adapted from the liner notes. [38]
Chart (2019) | Peak position |
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Canadian Albums (Billboard) [39] | 52 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [40] | 68 |
US Billboard 200 [41] | 24 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [42] | 15 |
Aaliyah Dana Haughton was an American singer and actress. She has been credited for helping to redefine contemporary R&B, pop and hip hop, earning her the nicknames the "Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop".
Melissa Arnette Elliott, better known as Missy Elliott or Misdemeanor, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She embarked on her music career with R&B girl group Sista in the early-mid 1990s and later became a member of the Swing Mob collective along with childhood friend and longtime collaborator Timbaland, with whom she worked on projects for American R&B acts Aaliyah, 702, Total, and SWV. Following several collaborations and guest appearances, she launched her solo career in 1997 with her debut album Supa Dupa Fly, which spawned the top 20 single "Sock It 2 Me". The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, the highest charting debut for a female rapper at the time.
Timothy Zachery Mosley, known professionally as Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter, record executive, and rapper. He has received widespread acclaim for his innovative production work and distinctive "stuttering" rhythmic style. In 2007, Entertainment Weekly stated that "just about every current pop trend can be traced back to him — from sultry, urban-edged R&B songstresses ... to the art of incorporating avant-garde sounds into No. 1 hits."
Charlene Keys, better known by the stage name Tweet, is an American singer-songwriter.
Swing Mob was an R&B/hip hop collective consisting of artists and record labels first discovered by Jodeci member DeVante Swing. The artists on Swing Mob included: Missy Elliott with the group Sista, Timbaland, Magoo, Ginuwine, Playa, Darryl Pearson, Mike "Funky Mike" Jackson, Tweet with the group Sugah, Majik, Jimmy Douglass, Stevie J, Maija Max, Renee Anderson, Bazaar Royale and Chad "Dr. Ceuss" Elliott among others, although all official members had never been confirmed. A list of some known artists in Swing Mob at the time of the group's activity can be found in the liner notes of Jodeci's third studio album, The Show, The After-Party, The Hotel.
"Back in the Day" is a 2003 hip-hop song by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, featuring guest vocals from Jay-Z and Elliott protégé Tweet. The song appears on her 2002 album Under Construction and was at one time planned for release as a single. It peaked at #86 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart in 2003 before being scrapped as a single.
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.
Miss E... So Addictive is the third studio album by American rapper and singer 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".
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.
"Work It" is a hip hop song written by American rapper Missy Elliott and her producer Tim "Timbaland" Mosley for Elliott's fourth studio album Under Construction (2002). The song's musical style, and production by Timbaland, were heavily inspired by old school hip hop from the early 1980s. It samples Run-D.M.C.'s "Peter Piper" and Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three's "Request Line".
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.
The discography of American rapper, singer, and record producer Missy Elliott consists of six studio albums, three compilation albums, one extended play, seventy-four singles and twenty solo music videos.
The following is a discography of songs with production and writing credits from American rapper and record producer Missy Elliott, sorted by album, date, and title.
"Cop That Shit", also known in its censored form as "Cop That Disc", is the lead single taken from hip-hop duo Timbaland & Magoo's third studio album, Under Construction, Part II. The track features vocals from Missy Elliott. The single was released on September 29, 2003 in Europe, but was not released in the United Kingdom until March 8, 2004. The hip hop track itself refers to people downloading and burning music instead of buying it. All of the tracks' verses are resung verses from classic rap songs, however some of the lyrics are changed. Timbaland's verse is a rewrite of "I Know You Got Soul" by Eric B. & Rakim, Missy's verse is a rewrite of Paper Thin by MC Lyte, and Magoo's verse is a rewrite of "I Got It Made" by Special Ed.
"The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" is the debut solo single by American rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. It was written and composed by Don Bryant, Bernard "Bernie" Miller, Elliott, and producer Timbaland for her debut album Supa Dupa Fly (1997) and contains a sample of Ann Peebles' 1973 single "I Can't Stand the Rain", whose lyrics serve as the chorus.
"Best, Best" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott. It was written by Elliott, Marcella Araica, and Nate "Danja" Hills for what was supposed to be Elliott's seventh studio album Block Party, while production was helmed by Elliott and Hills. Announced as the album's lead single, it was released by The Goldmind Inc. and Atlantic Records on June 13, 2008 and peaked at number 94 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Since Block Party was abandoned in the spring of 2009, "Best, Best" remains a standalone single.
"Holding You Down (Goin' In Circles)" is a song by American singer Jazmine Sullivan. It was written by Sullivan, Cainon Lamb, and Missy Elliott for her second album, Love Me Back (2010), while production was helmed by Elliott, with Lamb credited as co-producer. The song was released as the album's leads single in July 2010. It reached number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.
"9th Inning" is a song by American rapper, producer, singer-songwriter Missy Elliott featuring guest appearance by childhood friend and longtime collaborator Timbaland. Originally, a snippet was released on Elliott's official website on September 10, 2012. This song, along with the accompanying "Triple Threat", made its full debut via Ustream on September 17, 2012 and were both released as promotional singles on September 18, 2012.
Charlene is the third studio album by American singer Tweet. It was released on February 26, 2016, by eOne Music. "Won't Hurt Me" was released on September 21, 2015, as the album's lead single. The second single "Magic" was released on January 21, 2016, followed by "Neva Shouda Left Ya" on February 11, 2016. Rolling Stone listed Charlene as the 12th best R&B album of 2016.
"Throw It Back" is a song recorded by American rapper Missy Elliott for her first extended play Iconology (2019). The song was released as EP's lead single on August 23, 2019.