Elliott is one of the first female hip hop superstars, known for a long series of hits including "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)", "Hit 'Em Wit Da Hee", "Get Ur Freak On", "One Minute Man", "Work It", and "Lose Control". In addition she has received recognition as one of the most successful songwriters of the modern music era, having crafted a number of hit records for artists such as Aaliyah, 702, Total, Ciara, Nicole Wray and Tweet, often with production-partner and childhood friend Timbaland. She was the third female rapper to ever go Platinum, behind Lil' Kim and Da Brat.
Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, she began her career in the all-girl R&B group, Sista in 1993. Eventually, the band folded and Elliott began her career as a solo rapper. Since the early 1990's, Elliott has won six Grammys, recently scoring one for her video of "Lose Control."
Other releases are 'Teary Eyed' and 'We Run This', and the last of these two songs will be the main single of the new greatest hits album titled 'Respect M.E.: Best Of' featuring 17 tracks from her six albums.
Spelling Bee
Missy Elliott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hope you can s-p-e-l-l
Nigga please you don't know me that well
I got a truck sittin on sprewells
My flow tight as h-e-l-l
[Verse One]
If you is a h-o-e get a j-o-b
Mister Mosely get the b-a-t
Dont copy this here cause I done d-i-d
It could get h-e-c-t-i-c
f-i-s-t in your f-a-c-e
Y'all don't know how crazy Missy be
Don't toy me I'm outta y'all leauge
Yes I'm bulletproof
Bitches I ain't foolin' you
You better learn a thing or two
You don't really want it boo
[Chorus]
I hope you can s-p-e-l-l
Nigga please you don't know me that well
I got a truck sittin on sprewells
My flow tight as h-e-l-l
S-p-e-l-l
Nigga please you don't know me that well
I got a truck sittin on sprewells
My flow tight as h-e-l-l
[Verse Two]
You just crazy if you think you Jay-Z
Sure ain't me cause I r-a-p
I'm v-i-p not we that's me
Timmy this beat is a h-i-t
Listen to the t-r-a-c-k
On the M-i-say from the motherfuckin VA
Y'all know k-i-g-e-r-ty
If y'all ask me y'all style booty
I hope you can s-p-e double L
I'm double XL y'all can all kiss tail
Y'all motherfuckers don't know me that well
My level came next and I'm not RL
And yes I'm bulletproof
Bitches I ain't foolin you
You better learn a thing or two
You dont really want it boo
[Chorus]
I hope you can s-p-e-l-l
Nigga please you don't know me that well
I got a truck sittin on sprewells
My flow tight as h-e-l-l
S-p-e-l-l
Nigga please you don't know me that well
I got a truck sittin on sprewells
My flow tight as h-e-l-l
[Verse Three]
I run yo block
I run them block
(Hah) Crack your windows cause I'm just that hot
That you forgot I got a big knot
(Cha-Ching) I must of hit the jackpot
I must of hit the jackpot cause my purse dont lie
The checks don't stop 'till they get writers block
Besta call the cops cause it'll put you in shock
Like the mind of Tupac I'ma rock 'till I drop
A-B-C-D-E-F-G
H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P u-s-s-y thats pussy
for the fake MC who test ME
And yes I'm bulletproof
Bitches I ain't foolin you
You better learn a thing or two
You dont really want it boo
[Chorus]
I hope you can s-p-e-l-l
Nigga please you don't know me that well
I got a truck sittin on sprewells
My flow tight as h-e double l
In the Spelling Bee Interlude by Missy Elliott, the chorus starts by stating that she hopes people can spell and mocks the people who claim to know her well. She mentions that she has a truck sitting on Sprewells (a brand of luxury wheels for cars) and her flow is tight as hell. She then goes on to declare that if someone is a "hoe," they should get a job because she is hot on the top, and Mr. Mosely comes with a bat to handle things. She warns not to copy her, as it could get hectic, and then goes on to say she is crazy and out of everyone's league.
In the second verse, Missy calls out people who think they are Jay-Z and says that it is not her because she is V-I-P, not we, and then praises the beat as a hit. She mentions her home state (Virginia) and calls out someone's bad style or that it is "booty." Missy then asserts that she is double XL and that everyone should kiss her tail because they don't know anything about her. In the final verse, Missy again brags that she runs the block and has a lot of money. She repeats that she is bulletproof before concluding that no one really wants a fight with her.
The song's overall theme appears to be self-confidence and boasting. Missy Elliott is flexing her lyrical muscles and telling those who would come against her that she is essentially unbeatable. Her rhymes and flow are tight, and she makes it clear that she is not to be messed with.
Line by Line Meaning
I hope you can s-p-e-l-l
I challenge you to prove your intelligence by spelling words correctly
Nigga please you don't know me that well
Don't make assumptions about me if we don't really know each other
I got a truck sittin on sprewells
I am financially successful and have a luxurious vehicle
My flow tight as h-e-l-l
I am a talented rapper with amazing skills on the microphone
If you is a h-o-e get a j-o-b
If you're promiscuous, you should be working rather than sleeping around
I'm h-o-t on the t-o-p
I am highly respected in the music industry and have a great career
Mister Mosely get the b-a-t
Refers to her producer and suggests to get ready to create a hit song
Dont copy this here cause I done d-i-d
Don't try to copy my style because I've already done it
It could get h-e-c-t-i-c
It can get crazy and wild when I perform and create music
f-i-s-t in your f-a-c-e
Physical violence may erupt if someone challenges her
Y'all don't know how crazy Missy be
People underestimate how wild and talented Missy Elliott is
Don't toy me I'm outta y'all leauge
Don't underestimate me, I am way better than you think
Yes I'm bulletproof
I am resilient and won't let criticism or negativity bring me down
Bitches I ain't foolin' you
I am serious and won't tolerate disrespect
You better learn a thing or two
You should learn from me, I have a lot to teach
You don't really want it boo
You don't actually want to challenge me, you will lose
You just crazy if you think you Jay-Z
Comparing oneself to Jay-Z is unrealistic and delusional
Sure ain't me cause I r-a-p
She is her own unique artist and not just trying to imitate Jay-Z
I'm v-i-p not we that's me
She is a VIP and superior to the rest, she works alone
Timmy this beat is a h-i-t
Her producer made this song that is destined to be a hit
Listen to the t-r-a-c-k
Pay attention to the music and enjoy the song
On the M-i-say from the motherfuckin VA
Referring to the state of Virginia where she's from
Y'all know k-i-g-e-r-ty
Her support is locally known and respected
If y'all ask me y'all style booty
She thinks your style and skills are inferior to hers
I hope you can s-p-e double L
She really wants to challenge you to spell well
I'm double XL y'all can all kiss tail
She is large and in charge, everyone else has to respect her authority
Y'all motherfuckers don't know me that well
Repeated from earlier indicating that people shouldn't underestimate her
My level came next and I'm not RL
She has surpassed other artists like RL and is at the top
I run yo block
She has taken over your neighborhood musically
I run them block
Just to establish the fact that she is on top
Crack your windows cause I'm just that hot
Her music is fire, she's boasting again
That you forgot I got a big knot
She has a lot of money and is reminding you of that fact
I must of hit the jackpot
She has been very lucky as well as talented
The checks don't stop 'till they get writers block
She will keep making money forever until she runs out of ideas
Besta call the cops cause it'll put you in shock
Her music is so amazing it would shock you
Like the mind of Tupac I'ma rock 'till I drop
She'll never stop creating music, just like Tupac
A-B-C-D-E-F-G
Reciting the alphabet
H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P u-s-s-y thats pussy
Spelling out the word 'pussy' to insult a fake MC
for the fake MC who test ME
Challenging a fake rapper to come at her
And yes I'm bulletproof
Reiterating again that she can't be brought down
Bitches I ain't foolin you
Same as before, she's serious
You better learn a thing or two
Same as before, listen to her wise words
You dont really want it boo
Same as before, challenging you to a rap battle but warning you not to do it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TIMOTHY MOSLEY, MISSY ELLIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind