Missy Elliot :
This Is Not A Test

Release Date: 25 November 2003

Reviewed By: Melisa Tang

1. Intro (feat Mary J Blige)

2. Pass That Dutch

3. Wake Up (feat. Jay-Z)

4. Keep It Movin (Feat. Elephant Man)

5. Is That Our Last Time (feat Fabolous)

6. Dats What I'm Talkin About (feat. R KellY)

7. Don't Be Cruel (feat. Monica, Beenie Man)

8. Let It Bump

9. Pump It Up (feat.Nelly)

10. It's Real

11. Let Me Fix My Weave

12. I'm Not Perfect (feat. The Clark Sisters)

13. Outro (feat. Mary J Blige)

Obie Trice - Cheers
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As one of the most innovative hip-hop artists of the last few years, Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliot is always out to change the game. From the days of 'Supa Dupa Fly' to last year's multi-platinum 'Under Construction', Missy has continued to make hot record after hot record.

In between releasing her 2002 LP and her new album, 'This Is Not A Test', the MTV award-winner has been busy collaborating and producing tracks for some of her superstar pals, such as Beyoncé, Monica and Timbaland. With a phonebook full of contacts to die for, Missy Elliot was able to call on everybody, from dancehall king Elephant Man, to troubled R&B singer R. Kelly, putting together a legendary line-up for her fifth album.

As expected, all the beats on 'This Is Not A Test' are the work of Missy and her friend and long-term business partner, Tim Mosley, aka Timbaland. A prime example of this duo's brilliant teamwork in action is the first single 'Pass That Dutch' another of their wacky creations, which went straight in at number ten on the UK singles chart earlier this month. One of the collaborations that surprised me was that on 'Pump It Up', where St. Louis' best export, Nelly, can be heard spitting a great verse alongside Missy over a classic pounding bassline. The retiring Hova rekindles the chemistry the pair had on the track 'Back In The Day', their ode to old skool hip-hop, with Jay-Z rhyming on top of a Neptunes sounding beat on the catchy 'Wake Up'. Although it seems very raw and grimey, like Clipse's 'Grindin'', Missy and Jigga ride the beat like true professionals, pulling off the track with ease and style.

Monica and Beenie Man's contribution on 'Don't Be Cruel' is also note worthy, with the three artists hooking up for one very catchy, very innovative song. 'Keep It Moving' is not a traditional reggae-tinged record, seeing Elephant Man somewhat struggle to shine on the song beside Missy. However, the Virginia native teams up with F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S to make the mid-tempo cut 'Is This Our Last Time', one of the highlights of the album. Fabolous' laid-back flow makes the track even heavier than it already is, and is clearly one of the best tunes on 'This Is Not A Test'. Similarly, R. Kelly's appearance on 'Dat's What I'm Talkin About' is a sweet slow jam to rock to, with Missy sensually singing "You make the freak come up out me", to which Kelly replies "I wanna make you
scream like." Missy's sexual innuendos are even more blatant on the track 'Toyz' which I'm sure needs no explanation.

Closing the album in the same style as she dropped it on 'Intro', is the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, who sings briefly but incredibly soulfully on the 'Outro' too. With such an array of stars on one project, Missy Elliot has succeeded in making the fifth album of her long and fruitful career one of the best works she has ever produced.

Rating: 4/5

Top three tracks:
3) Wake Up
5) Is This Our Last Time
8) Don't Be Cruel

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