Missy Elliott Offers Advice to Artists Working on Sophomore Albums

All artists working on their second album got an important new resource today: free advice from Missy Elliott. Today, Elliott tweeted a bit of advice specifically for anyone figuring out how to follow up on their debut full-length, urging artists not to play it safe for their sophomore effort.

“Sophomore Albums are a very PIVOTAL time for artist,” she wrote. “Here is a gem from MISSY! Your sophomore album be stressful but it’s the BEST ALBUM to EXPERIMENT on! Don’t be AFRAID! Becuz If u play safe you will be BOXED in & its hard to get out because your fans get used to that 1 sound.”

She continued: “Go with the songs you feel you should drop not what everyone else suggest! You the Artist must FEEL it YASELF because YOU are the one that have have to SELL it & CONVINCE ppl it’s HOT Go with your GUT!” She added: “People normally charge for this kind of info but I’m giving this to the artist for FREE now let’s see who will be WISE enough to absorb this knowledge like a sponge and APPLY it to their work!” 

Elliott’s second album, the follow-up to 1997’s Supa Dupa Fly, was 1999’s Da Real World. The album featured the singles “She’s a Bitch” and “All N My Grill.” Last year, Elliott got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and joined the inaugural class of the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame. She also directed City Girls’ “Twerkulator” video.