Hot Boyz
by Missy Elliott (featuring Nas & Eve & Q-Tip)

Album: Da Real World (1999)
Charted: 18 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Originally recorded by Missy Elliott with American singer and songwriter Lil' Mo, the remix version featuring Nas, Eve and Q-Tip was a huge urban hit. The remix spent 18 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, which is still the longest reign at number one to date on that tally.

    "I remember one of the stations in LA was the first to pull it," Elliott recalled to Billboard. "And something happened, I can't tell you what happened, but whatever happened, it ended up back at the stations... and it ended up in the Guinness Book of World Records."
  • The hard-hitting song was produced by Missy's frequent collaborator Timbaland. It appealed not only to Missy's diehard female fans, but her male fans, too.

    "I want guys to feel like they could ride around and listen to this because the beat was so hard," she said. "This beat feel like all the male rappers would want to get on this joint right here."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."