In a surprising twist, Missy Elliott, a towering figure in hip-hop and pop, had never headlined an arena tour until this summer, despite a career spanning nearly 30 years. Known for her groundbreaking imagery and futuristic, eclectic sound, Elliott has long been a seminal force in music, crafting a distinct, otherworldly persona that still feels ahead of its time.
However, her recent performance at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Monday night belied her lack of arena tour experience. At 53, Elliott demonstrated a seasoned mastery of showmanship and a profound connection to her extensive catalog, delivering a performance marked by inventive staging and a palpable desire to capitalize on this new opportunity.
The “Out of This World — the Missy Elliott Experience” tour proved to be an exhilarating 75-minute spectacle, blending theatrical ambition with a relentless energy. The performance rivaled recent high-profile pop events, such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and The Weeknd’s 2021 Super Bowl halftime show, while also drawing parallels to the cinematic flair of Baz Luhrmann’s films and the creative extravagance of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Rather than a traditional concert, Elliott’s show unfolded as a vibrant, carnival-like DJ set featuring a dynamic array of her hits. The performance navigated through a series of celebrated tracks including “Sock It 2 Me,” “I’m Really Hot,” and “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” punctuated by visual nods and references. This was followed by a mid-show medley of hits such as “Get Ur Freak On,” “One Minute Man,” and “Hot Boyz,” culminating in a finale with powerful anthems like “Work It” and “Lose Control.” While some less impactful songs served as contrasts, they occasionally detracted from the impact of her biggest hits.
Elliott’s performance underscored a larger message: her artistic vision transcends individual tracks, reflecting a broad, immersive worldview that cements her place as one of pop’s most enduring icons.
