Missy

I remember the fist time I heard Missy Elliott's "Get Your Freak On".  I'd just arrived at Osan Air Base, Republic of South Korea.  I had shiny butter bars on my uniform, a freshly-minted 2Lt.  My sponsor , J., was driving me around the base for passes, etc., and this song was on the radio.

It was new to me, and I hadn't heard anything quite like it.  I liked a wide variety of music (and still do) but hadn't had much exposure to hip hop.  I was familiar with Missy from having watched the first MTV "Real World", waaaaaay back in the day...but I had no idea that she had become famous.  I thought that the song was interesting, but I felt uncomfortable with it blaring out the Jeep's open windows.  Looking back, I smile at my young self's naivete as I admit to you that I was uncomfortable because I felt that the song was incongruous with what I believed to be the dignity of my new career/situation.

I heard this song on the radio today, and my oh my how things have changed.  Now, I appreciate Missy's artistry and courage.  She did something pretty new and presented a new version of the female performer.  She isn't on my ipod, but after this afternoon's fun I may just have to change that.

Comments

[Brian]

Missy, dear sister, is from Portsmouth, VA. I love this weekly installation.