Missy Elliott Brings Out Lil’ Kim as Surprise Guest on First NYC Tour

Missy Elliott, the iconic rapper, singer, producer, songwriter, and multi-award-winning artist, has embarked on her first solo headlining tour, “Out of This World: The Missy Elliott Experience.” Since her groundbreaking debut in 1997 with “Supa Dupa Fly,” Elliott has amassed countless accolades, including Grammy wins, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions. Surprisingly, despite her extensive career, this marks her first headlining tour.

Although she has toured with greats like Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, and Alicia Keys, this solo venture stands apart. Yet, she is far from alone onstage. The tour features performances from Timbaland, Ciara, and Busta Rhymes, with the latter two delivering substantial 45-minute sets that feel like standalone events. On Monday night, the tour hit Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, where surprise guests like Lil’ Kim and LL COOL J joined in, electrifying the NYC audience.

Undeniably, this tour is a Missy Elliott production. Everything from fashion-forward outfits to UFO imagery and off-kilter choreography showcases the outlandish and inventive aesthetic that has defined her career. A 25-song setlist packed with hits ensures Missy shines, whether she’s floating above the crowd during “Gossip Folks,” rapping “She’s a Bitch” in a massive cape, or delivering “Get Ur Freak On” with dancers scaling a rope fence. The eccentricity of her stage setups and performances demonstrates her commitment to standing out in the music industry.

Despite her status, Missy Elliott has never shied away from sharing the limelight. Her tour highlights not just her talent but also that of her guests. Lil’ Kim had the crowd roaring when she appeared for “The Jump Off,” Timbaland joined Missy for “Up Jumps Da Boogie,” and Busta Rhymes engaged the audience in “Touch It.” Ciara, who closed the show with “Lose Control,” brought out Lady London and Lola Brooke for “Da Girls,” and even featured a dance performance from WNBA mascot Ellie the Elephant of the New York Liberty. The mascot’s impressive breakdancing delighted the audience and added another layer of surprise to the night.

Busta Rhymes, known for his rapid-fire flow, shared his stage with his children, Rah Digga of Flipmode Squad, and his childhood idol LL COOL J, who performed Craig Mack’s “Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)” live for the first time. “History was made tonight!” Busta proudly declared.

Busta took a moment to address the crowd, emphasizing the importance of fostering the next generation of hip-hop talents rather than holding others down to stay on top. This sentiment aligns with Missy Elliott’s career philosophy, which has always been about collaboration and innovation. The tour stands as a testament to how multiple stars can share the stage, each enhancing the other’s shine, resulting in a mesmerizing constellation of talent.

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