Performer Notes
- Personnel: Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott (vocals); Busta Rhymes (rap vocals); Bill Pettaway (guitar, bass); Lil' Kim, Adina Howard, Da Brat, Aaliyah, Space, Nicole, Timbaland, Ginuwine, Magoo.
- Recorded at Master Sound Studios, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
- "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" was nominated for a 1988 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance.
- SUPA DUPA FLY was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
- Personnel: Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott (vocals); Magoo, Busta Rhymes (rap vocals); Bill Pettaway (guitar, bass); Lil' Kim, Adina Howard, Da Brat, Aaliyah, 702, Ginuwine, Timbaland, Space & Nicole.
- Recorded at Master Sound Studios, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
- "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" was nominated for a 1988 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance.
- SUPA DUPA FLY was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
- Personnel: Missy Elliott (vocals, rap vocals); Busta Rhymes (vocals, rap vocals); Da Brat, Ginuwine, 702, Aaliyah, Timbaland (vocals); Magoo (rap vocals); Bill Pettaway (guitar).
- Audio Mixers: Jimmy Douglas; Timbaland.
- Recording information: Master Sound Studios, Virginia Beach, VA.
- Photographer: Kwaku Alston.
- As a member of the R&B group Sista, Missy Elliott went almost unnoticed. It wasn't until years later, when she placed her trademark "hee-hee-hee-hee-ha" lyrics on a Gina Thompson remix that she achieved recognition. Missy's songwriting credits include a number of R&B hits (SWV's "Can We" and Aaliyah's "4 Page Letter"), and her familiar vocal style has been featured on some of the year's hottest remixes, including Li'l Kim's "Not Tonight".
- Produced by Timbaland (Ginuwine, Aaliyah), SUPA DUPA FLY showcases the studio whiz's unique recording techniques. The tempos here are much slower than on the average hip-hop release, with rhythms akin to dancehall music. Missy doesn't limit herself to rap, either. Many of the songs on SUPA DUPA FLY fall easily into the R&B bag, especially when Missy swaps her hard-core hip-hop lyrics for a smooth laid-back approach.
Professional Reviews
Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.79) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's."
Rolling Stone (9/4/97, p.70) - 3.5 Stars (out of 5) - "When Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott weds hip-hop and R&B, she not only avoids the pitfalls tripping up so many of her colleagues, she also finds new inspiration in the union..."
Spin (9/99, p.153) - Ranked #66 in Spin Magazine's "90 Greatest Albums of the '90s."
Spin (1/98, p.86) - Ranked #9 on Spin's list of the "Top 20 Albums Of The Year."
Spin (10/97, p.136) - 8 (out of 10) - "...SUPA DUPA FLY is distinctive, cohesive, and innovative enough to wind up as the most influential pop record since Dr. Dre's THE CHRONIC. Elliot's proficiency with a hook is unerring; everything here has `hit' stamped all over it..."
Entertainment Weekly (8/8/97, p.78) - "...She's a wickedly innovative singer-rapper who favors expansive song structures and trip-hoppy textures. In the process, she creates an evocative space-age soul all her own."
- Rating: A-
Q (12/99, p.92) - Included in Q Magazine's "90 Best Albums Of The 1990s."
Vibe (9/97, pp.229-230) - "...Not since our beloved Biggie has there been a rap artist whose cameos more consistently equaled hits....Missy represents myriad exciting possibilities for sistas in the rap and R&B game...SUPA's sound and feel are what one might call futuristic..."
The Source (9/97, p.233) - "And the winner of the most innovative female rapper of the year is...Missy Elliott....The combination of her boy Timbaland's ill beats and Missy's knack for crazy phrasing make SUPA DUPA FLY a solid project..."
Melody Maker (10/25/97, p.53) - "...Ranging from sparse clinical beats to theatrical blaxplotation wah-wah grooves, it's agressive, mellow, and more mellow...rootless, refreshingly unique, and unbridaled."
Rap Pages (9/97, p.95) - "...Missy's SUPA DUPA FLY manages to stir up some summer fun....Missy clearly shines when she is able to combine her catchy grunts and quick-moving lyrics on R&B..."
Village Voice (2/24/98) - Ranked #6 in the Village Voice's 1997 Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll.
NME (Magazine) (12/20-27/97, pp.78-79) - Ranked #38 in NME's 1997 Critics' Poll.
