1. There isn’t an artist on this earth who can match Missy Elliott’s freak. When the “Work It” star announced she would be embarking on her first-ever headlining tour, fans knew to expect something weird and possibly a little offbeat. Nobody warned them about the space ship.
Emerging from her intergalactic vessel in a glittering jumpsuit and helmet on July 13 at T-Mobile Arena, Elliott steered the audience on an 80-minute voyage that brought her craziest music videos and chart-busting hits to life. Dancers scaled chain-link fences for “Get Ur Freak On;” they wheeled out an actual cornfield for “Pass That Dutch,” and fire plumed from the depths for “Hot Boyz.”
Elliott, for her part, rapped and sang with the finesse of someone who’s been doing this for almost 30 years. A tour like this has been a long time coming, and the hip-hop legend wasn’t about to let any grass grow under her bedazzled feet. She took to the sky for “Gossip Folks,” rapping on top of an aerial stage that hovered over the audience—and the applause thundered. On “Get Ur Freak On,” the arena’s collective “hollaaaaaaa” rang out so loud, New York-New York guests could probably hear it. In many ways, it all felt like an awards show on steroids. Or, dare we say, a residency?
2. The fashion spoke for itself. Imagine the weirdest theme you can think of for the Met Gala, and now apply to “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).” Elliott’s dancers donned umbrella hats and trench coats for the number, while Elliott captivated in a variation of the iconic puffy suit, using it as a billowing cape. The looks went on and on. Her dancers mounted medicine balls and rolled around in leather for “I’m Better.” The show woman also broke out a graffitied glow in the dark jacket for “Ching-A-Ling,” and in “One Minute Man” we saw her sporting a magenta sequined jumpsuit next to a cadre of men in matching vests. Talk about a fashion show.
3. Openers? More like headliners. There’s a reason Timbaland, Ciara and Busta Rhymes are labeled special guests on the Out of This World tour. They’re all stars in their own right, and each joined Elliott towards the finale for a duet. But seeing them also broadcast their talents solo was an absolute treat. Timbaland opened the show with a medley of his biggest production hits, including “The Way I Are” and Aaliyah’s “One in a Million,” while Ciara simmered in a dance-intensive performance where she resurrected memorable choreography from the music videos of “Ride” and “Body Party.” As for Busta Rhymes? Well, he was in a league of his own.
4. All hail, King Busta. The “Break Ya Neck” rapper swaggered out in a crimson red cape and proceeded to ascend the rap throne. He and hype man Spliff Star were a dream team, riffing off of each other and exuding an infectious charisma. “I wanna hear the ladies singing so loud, Jesus Christ gotta give us a warning,” Busta said before launching into “I Know What You Want.”
“Touch It,” a track that brilliantly samples Daft Punk’s “Technologic,” had the arena crowd on their feet. And Busta’s rapid bars blistered eardrums when it came to “Jump Jump.” He even toweled himself off.
"We don't use special effects,” the rapper told the crowd. “It's just me, my brother, my DJ. We don't use special effects because we are the special effects, motherf***er!” Well said.
5. Gratitude was felt all around. During “Work It,” Elliott launched deep into the crowd, pausing to take photos with fans and grasping their trembling hands. She also took a moment to recognize her dancers, mentioning for some of them, this was their first tour. The rapper never missed a chance to express her gratitude, at the end of the night saying, “Everybody in this room, y’all are out-of-the-box thinkers. That's why you're here.”
Soaking in the applause, she thanked us for still listening, for still supporting. And with one last wave, she left. This time, as a true headliner.
