Da Real World

Da Real World
Da Real World
Studio album by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
Released	June 22, 1999
Recorded	1998–1999
Studio	Master Sound Studios; (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Genre	Hip hop; R&B;
Length	62:00
Label	The Goldmind; Elektra;
Producer	Timbaland
Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott chronology
Singles from Da Real World
	"She's a Bitch"; Released: April 20, 1999; "All n My Grill"; Released: September 13, 1999; "Hot Boyz"; Released: November 9, 1999;

Da Real World is the second studio album by American rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, released on June 22, 1999, by East West, Elektra, and The Goldmind. The album is noted for adding a raunchier and darker style to Elliott's music, as well as including the overt political use of the term "bitch". The album features guest appearances from B.G., Juvenile, Lil' Mo, Nicole, Beyoncé, Eve, Eminem, Lady Saw, Da Brat, Aaliyah, Big Boi of Outkast, Lil' Kim, MC Solaar, and Redman.

The album debuted at number ten on the US Billboard 200 chart.^[1] The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).^[2] It spawned the singles "She's a Bitch", "All N My Grill", and "Hot Boyz (Remix)".

Background

Originally titled She's a Bitch, Elliott commented on the choice for the title as a positive way of expressing herself as a "strong woman in power"; she also stated that she felt very pressured while recording this album, and explained that she was afraid of experiencing a sophomore slump.^{[citation needed]} Elliott dedicated the album to the victims of the Columbine High School massacre.^{[citation needed]}

Singles

On March 4, 1999, "She's a Bitch" was sent to local radio stations in the United States as the lead single for the album. Elliott went on to release two additional singles: "All n My Grill" and "Hot Boyz (Remix)", featuring Eve, Nas, and Lil' Mo.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[3]
Entertainment Weekly	A−^[4]
The Guardian	^[5]
Los Angeles Times	^[6]
Muzik	^[7]
NME	7/10^[8]
Pitchfork	8.0/10^[9]
Q	^[10]
Rolling Stone	^[11]
Spin	8/10^[12]

Da Real World received critical acclaim from music critics. Keith Farley of AllMusic declared it an "excellent follow-up" and added that "it's clearly a Missy Elliott album in most respects, with Timbaland's previously trademarked, futuristic-breakbeat production smarts laced throughout."^[3] Entertainment Weekly felt that "Da Real World marks steps in several right directions — both for rap and for understanding the never-ending battle of the sexes."^[4]

Touré of Rolling Stone compared the album to George Lucas's epic space opera Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) and wrote: "Da Real World is much-anticipated and futuristic, with a hype that outstrips the reality. The concept is more interesting than the execution." He added that "even if Da Real World isn't a successful one, the album, somewhat, recalls Queen Latifah."^[11]

In 2025, Pitchfork placed it at number 42 on their list of the "100 Best Rap Albums of All Time". The website's writer David Drake said: ''Da Real World is Missy's most underrated and best articulation of the rap album as an art of its own. Its hits were modest, but Timbaland and Missy Elliott saw no toolkit as off-limits, two pure creatives behind the curtain building out a world of unpredictable, spirited generosity.^[13]

Commercial performance

Da Real World debuted at number ten on the US Billboard 200 chart, becoming Elliott's second top-ten debut and staying on the chart for a total of 39 weeks.^[1] On February 4, 2000, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over a million copies in the United States.^[2] As of November 2015, the album has sold 1,068,000 copies in the US.^[14]

Track listing

All songs produced by Timbaland. Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.^[15]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Mysterious" (Intro)		1:07
2.	"Beat Biters"	Melissa Elliott Timothy Mosley	4:24
3.	"Busa Rhyme" (featuring Eminem)	Elliott Mosley Marshall Mathers Rob Parissi	5:01
4.	"All n My Grill" (featuring Big Boi and Nicole Wray)	Elliott Mosley Antwan Patton	4:44
5.	"Dangerous Mouths" (featuring Redman)	Elliott Mosley Reggie Noble	3:29
6.	"Hot Boyz"	Elliott Mosley	3:36
7.	"You Don't Know" (featuring Lil' Mo)	Elliott Mosley Cynthia Loving	4:48
8.	"Mr. D.J." (featuring Lady Saw)	Elliott Mosley Marion Hall	4:30
9.	"Checkin' for You (Interlude)" (featuring Lil' Kim)	Elliott Mosley Kimberly Jones	2:09
10.	"Stickin' Chickens" (featuring Aaliyah and Da Brat)	Elliott Mosley Shawntae Harris	4:55
11.	"Smooth Chick"	Elliott Mosley	4:18
12.	"We Did It"	Elliott Mosley	3:51
13.	"Throw Your Hands Up (Interlude)" (featuring Lil' Kim)	Elliott Mosley Jones	1:18
14.	"She's a Bitch"	Elliott Mosley	4:00
15.	"U Can't Resist" (featuring Juvenile and B.G.)	Elliott Mosley Terius Gray Christopher Dorsey	4:37
16.	"Crazy Feelings" (featuring Beyoncé)	Elliott Mosley	4:34
17.	"Religious Blessings" (Outro)		0:39
Total length:			62:00

Europe bonus track
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
18.	"All n My Grill" (featuring MC Solaar and Nicole Wray)	Elliott Mosley	4:47
Total length:			66:47

Sample credits^[15]

"Busa Rhyme" contains an interpolation of "Play That Funky Music", written by Rob Parissi.
"Dangerous Mouths" contains an interpolation of "I Wonder If I Take You Home", written by Curt Bedeau, Gerry Charles, Hugh L Clarke, Brian George, Lucien George, Paul George.

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for *Da Real World*
Chart (1999)	Peak position
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)^[16]	43
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)^[17]	57
French Albums (SNEP)^[18]	51
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)^[19]	20
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)^[20]	59
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)^[21]	42
UK Albums (OCC)^[22]	42
UK R&B Albums (OCC)^[23]	5
US Billboard 200^[24]	10
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[25]	1

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for *Da Real World*
Chart (1999)	Position
US Billboard 200^[26]	122
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[27]	41

Certifications

Certifications for *Da Real World*
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)^[28]	Silver	60,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[29]	Platinum	1,068,000^[14]
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for *Da Real World*
Region	Date	Format	Label
United States	June 22, 1999	CD single cassette	The Goldmind Elektra
United Kingdom	June 24, 1999	CD single cassette	The Goldmind Elektra

References

^ ^a ^b "Billboard Chart History – Missy Elliott". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
^ ^a ^b "RIAA Certifications – Missy Elliott". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
^ ^a ^b Farley, Keith. "Da Real World – Missy Elliott". AllMusic. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Browne, David (June 25, 1999). "Da Real World". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
^ Sullivan, Caroline (June 25, 1999). "Danger mouth". The Guardian.
^ Weingarten, Marc (June 20, 1999). "Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott; 'Da Real World'; Gold Mind/EastWest". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
^ Crysell, Andy (August 1999). "Missy Elliott: Da Real World (EastWest)". Muzik. No. 51. p. 79.
^ Patterson, Sylvia (June 19, 1999). "Missy Elliott – Da Real World". NME. Archived from the original on October 16, 2000. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
^ Hope, Clover (October 27, 2024). "Missy Elliott: Da Real World". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
^ "Missy Elliott: Da Real World". Q. No. 155. August 1999. p. 103.
^ ^a ^b Touré (July 8, 1999). "Missy Elliott: Da Real World". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 16, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
^ Seymour, Craig (August 1999). "Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott: Da Real World". Spin. Vol. 15, no. 8. p. 150. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
^ Drake, David; et al. (September 30, 2025). "The 100 Best Rap Albums of All Time". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on October 2, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
^ ^a ^b Trust, Gary (November 22, 2015). "Ask Billboard: Missy Elliott's Career Album Sales". Billboard. Los Angeles, California: Valence Media. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
^ ^a ^b Da Real World (booklet). Elektra, The Goldmind. 1999.
^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 8398". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
^ "Lescharts.com – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
^ "Swisscharts.com – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 24, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
^ "1999 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-56. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
^ "British album certifications – Missy Elliott – Da Real World". British Phonographic Industry.
^ "American album certifications – Missy Elliott – Da Real World". Recording Industry Association of America.

External links

Missy Elliott discography at Discogs

[BB200-1] "Billboard Chart History – Missy Elliott". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2020.

[RIAA-2] "RIAA Certifications – Missy Elliott". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 1, 2020.

[allmusic-3] Farley, Keith. "Da Real World – Missy Elliott". AllMusic. Retrieved February 14, 2016.

[EW_Review-4] Browne, David (June 25, 1999). "Da Real World". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2025.

[5] Sullivan, Caroline (June 25, 1999). "Danger mouth". The Guardian.

[6] Weingarten, Marc (June 20, 1999). "Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott; 'Da Real World'; Gold Mind/EastWest". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 14, 2016.

[7] Crysell, Andy (August 1999). "Missy Elliott: Da Real World (EastWest)". Muzik. No. 51. p. 79.

[8] Patterson, Sylvia (June 19, 1999). "Missy Elliott – Da Real World". NME. Archived from the original on October 16, 2000. Retrieved February 14, 2016.

[9] Hope, Clover (October 27, 2024). "Missy Elliott: Da Real World". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 27, 2024.

[10] "Missy Elliott: Da Real World". Q. No. 155. August 1999. p. 103.

[rs-11] Touré (July 8, 1999). "Missy Elliott: Da Real World". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 16, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2010.

[12] Seymour, Craig (August 1999). "Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott: Da Real World". Spin. Vol. 15, no. 8. p. 150. Retrieved February 14, 2016.

[13] Drake, David; et al. (September 30, 2025). "The 100 Best Rap Albums of All Time". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on October 2, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.

[us_sales-14] Trust, Gary (November 22, 2015). "Ask Billboard: Missy Elliott's Career Album Sales". Billboard. Los Angeles, California: Valence Media. Retrieved November 22, 2015.

[liner_notes-15] Da Real World (booklet). Elektra, The Goldmind. 1999.

[group=-16] "Top RPM Albums: Issue 8398". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

[ac_Netherlands_Missy_Misdemeanor_Elliott-17] "Dutchcharts.nl – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2015.

[ac_France_Missy_Misdemeanor_Elliott-18] "Lescharts.com – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2015.

[ac_Germany_Missy_Misdemeanor_Elliott-19] "Offiziellecharts.de – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 11, 2015.

[ac_Sweden_Missy_Misdemeanor_Elliott-20] "Swedishcharts.com – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2015.

[ac_Switzerland_Missy_Misdemeanor_Elliott-21] "Swisscharts.com – Missy Misdemeanor Elliott – Da Real World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2015.

[ac_UK2_Missy_Elliott-22] "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2015.

[ac_UKR&B_Missy_Elliott-23] "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 23, 2023.

[ac_Billboard200_Missy_Elliott-24] "Missy Elliott Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2015.

[ac_BillboardRandBHipHop_Missy_Elliott-25] "Missy Elliott Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2019.

[26] "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 24, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2021.

[27] "1999 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-56. Retrieved September 22, 2021.

[United_KingdomMissy_ElliottDa_Real_WorldalbumCertRef-28] "British album certifications – Missy Elliott – Da Real World". British Phonographic Industry.

[United_StatesMissy_ElliottDa_Real_WorldalbumCertRef-29] "American album certifications – Missy Elliott – Da Real World". Recording Industry Association of America.

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v t e Missy Elliott
Discography Production discography Awards and nominations
Studio albums	Supa Dupa Fly Da Real World Miss E... So Addictive Under Construction This Is Not a Test! The Cookbook
Compilations	Respect M.E.
Extended plays	Iconology
Singles	"The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" "Sock It 2 Me" "Beep Me 911" "Hit Em wit da Hee" "She's a Bitch" "All n My Grill" "Hot Boyz" "Get Ur Freak On" "Lick Shots" "One Minute Man" "Take Away" "4 My People" "Work It" "Gossip Folks" "Fighting Temptation" "Pass That Dutch" "I'm Really Hot" "Lose Control" "Teary Eyed" "We Run This" "Ching-a-Ling" "Shake Your Pom Pom" "WTF (Where They From)" "I'm Better" "Throw It Back"
Featured singles	"That's What Little Girls Are Made Of" "Brand New" "Ooh, Ooh Baby" "The Things That You Do" (Bad Boy Remix) "Steelo" "Do Thangz" (Main Pass Remix) "You Don't Have to Worry" (Remix) "Cold Rock a Party" "Can We" "Not Tonight" (Remix) "Up Jumps Da Boogie" "What About Us?" "Make It Hot" "5 Minutes" "Trippin'" "I Want You Back" "Here We Come" "I Like Control" "Ya Di Ya" "Take That" "Is That Yo Chick" "Son of a Gun" "Bootylicious" (Rockwilder Remix) "Oops (Oh My)" "The Knoc" "Burnin' Up" (Remix) "Crew Deep" "Honk Your Horn" "Cop That Shit" "Party to Damascus" "Tush" "Turn da Lights Off" "1, 2 Step" "Car Wash" "Touch It" (Remix) "Love Me or Hate Me" (Remix) "Let It Go" "Do It" (Remix) "Bad Girl" "Need U Bad" "Whatcha Think About That" "Let's Just Do It" "Work" "Fakin' It" "Get Involved" "Nobody's Perfect" "Bad Girls" (N.A.R.S & Switch Remixes) "How Ya Doin'?" "Without Me" "Niliria" "I Deserve It" "Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)" "Tempo" "Levitating" "Fly Girl"
Promotional singles	"Back in the Day" "Best, Best" "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" (Remix) "9th Inning" "Triple Threat" "Burnitup!" "Pep Rally"
Related articles	4 All the Sistas Around da World Verizon Ladies First Tour The Goldmind Inc. "Boulevard of Broken Songs"

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