Missy Elliott’s Tour Heats Up with Ciara and Busta Rhymes

Missy Elliott’s first-ever headlining arena tour, “Out of This World,” is both long overdue and a triumphant showcase of her career. Earlier this month, she transformed Brooklyn’s Barclays Center into a celebration of her boundary-pushing achievements. With just two shows left on the tour, Missy brought an energy that made fans feel it was worth the wait.

It’s astonishing to realize that despite decades of hits and groundbreaking visuals, this is Missy’s first solo arena tour. She didn’t waste any time proving why she deserved this moment. Accompanied by powerhouse performer Ciara and hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes, Missy ensured the show was an unforgettable experience. The Brooklyn performance was particularly special, with Lil Kim joining to perform her 2003 single, “The Jump Off.” The set list was rich with hits like “Get Ur Freak On” and “Loose Control.”

One advantage of this being her first headlining arena tour is the vast array of classics she could pull from, combined with stunning visuals. At Barclays Center, Missy strutted in an updated version of her iconic all-black inflatable suit from the “I Can’t Stand the Rain” video and even soared above the crowd on a moving stage extension. Backed by a troupe of dancers, she kept the audience’s attention focused on her as she flawlessly executed costume changes and kept the energy high.

Vocally, Missy was as versatile as ever, transitioning effortlessly between her signature rap flow and smooth R&B vocals from her early work. Highlights included a medley of her ‘90s hits, with “All N My Grill” and “Hot Boyz” receiving roaring cheers and singalongs. Her newer tracks fit seamlessly into the set, maintaining the audience’s excitement and engagement. The non-stop dance routines and set changes cleverly masked the use of pre-recorded vocals, noticeable only to the most discerning listeners.

Widely seen as one of hip-hop’s most visionary artists and producers, Missy’s stage production echoed the creativity of her music videos. During “Get Ur Freak On,” the stage transformed into a swamp-like tunnel, reminiscent of the song’s music video. Between sets, Missy fused N.E.R.D.’s back catalog with tracks from her 2019 EP “Iconology,” providing a fresh yet familiar soundscape that captivated the crowd.

Missy wasn’t alone in making the night memorable. She invited her longtime friends Ciara and Busta Rhymes as supporting acts. Ciara delivered a high-energy performance with hits like “Goodies,” “1, 2 Step,” and “Level Up,” showcasing fierce choreography while dialing it back for more intimate songs like “Body Party” and “Promise.” Despite being the opening act, Ciara managed to fill the arena with fans mirroring her moves and singing along.

Next, Busta Rhymes took over with a set that included “Pass the Courvoisier, Part II” and his Janet Jackson collaboration “What’s It Gonna Be?!”. Sporting futuristic attire, Busta’s set felt like a family affair as he proudly introduced his son and daughter, who were part of his dance crew. Both Ciara and Busta Rhymes returned to the stage to conclude the night with Missy, performing energetic renditions of their collaborations on the “Touch It Remix” and “Lose Control.”

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