Skip to main content

Song of the week: Missy Elliott's back with 'WTF'


The music video for Missy Elliott's out-of-nowhere new single WTF (Where They From) begins by scanning a city's streets, introducing the song through snippets blaring from car stereos and nail salons. For some rappers, the shot would be self-indulgent. For Missy, it's a wink at her fans, acknowledging that yes, her return is an even— which was only confirmed by the Internet's breathless reaction to the surprise single.

And after becoming a household name with a decade of classic records before stepping back for the next ten-year stretch (her last album, The Cookbook, came out in 2005), Missy sounds triumphant on WTF, serving her classic sing-song braggadocio and figure-praising lyrics alongside a guest appearance from Pharrell. With any hope, she won't make us wait another few years for its follow-up.