"Throw It Back" is a song recorded by American rapper Missy Elliott for her first extended play Iconology (2019). The song was released as EP's lead single on August 23, 2019.[1][2]
| "Throw It Back" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Missy Elliott | ||||
| from the EP Iconology | ||||
| Released | August 23, 2019 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 3:13 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Willi Hendrix | |||
| Missy Elliott singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Composition edit
"Throw It Back" was written by Elliott, Quintin Ernest Talbet, Michael Aristotle, and William Jared Buggs, while production was handled by Willi Hendrix.[3] Musically, "Throw It Back" has been described as a "woozy, futuristic romp" containing "distorted bass lines", frenetic production",[4] and trap snares.[5] Lyrically, "Throw It Back" contains references to Elliott's history, as well as previous collaborators Tweet and Heavy D,[5] and Elliott's 2002 single "Work It".[6]
Critical reception edit
Jordan Darville of The Fader, named "Throw It Back" "the standout track" from Iconology.[7]
Music video edit
A music video for "Throw It Back" was released alongside Iconology. It contains a guest appearance from Teyana Taylor.[8] The video begins with a young girl waking up in a museum with paintings of the rapper. After entering a foggy room, Elliott appears with several dancers and cheerleaders in colorful outfits and afros.[6] The video also contains references to Elliott's career, similar to the lyrical content.[9] Anika Reed of USA Today described the video as "[showing] Elliott's unwavering authenticity" and "celebrating blackness".[10] Katherine J. Igoe, writing for Marie Claire, called the video "a complete return to form" for Elliott.[9]
Personnel edit
Adapted from Iconology's liner notes.[3]
- Missy Elliott – lead artist, songwriter
- Michael Aristotle – songwriter
- Quintin Ernest Talbert – songwriter
- Wili Hendrix – production
- Chris Godbey – engineering
- Glenn Schick – mastering
- Finis "KY" White – mixing
Charts edit
| Chart (2019) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Hot Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[11] | 34 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[12] | 37 |
| Scotland (OCC)[13] | 83 |
| UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[14] | 57 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[15] | 1 |
| US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[16] | 24 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] | 37 |
Release history edit
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | August 23, 2019 | Digital download | Atlantic | [1][2] |
References edit
- ^ a b "First Stream: New Music From Taylor Swift, Missy Elliott, Brockhampton & More". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
- ^ a b "Missy Elliott drops surprise 'Iconology' EP and new single 'Throw It Back'". ABC News. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
- ^ a b Iconology (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 2019.
- ^ Kennedy, Gerrick D. (August 22, 2019). "Missy Elliott's Iconology Marks the Triumphant Return of a Hip-Hop Visionary". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ a b Johnson, Maura (August 23, 2019). "On Iconography, Missy Elliott Is Still Blazing a Trail for Pop Weirdness". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ a b Penrose, Nerisha. "Cancel All Music Videos Today Because Missy Elliott's 'Throw It Back' Is the Only One That Matters". Elle. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ Darville, Jordan. "Missy Elliott's "Throw It Back" video is instantly iconic, obviously". The Fader. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ Espinoza, Joshua (August 23, 2019). "Missy Elliott Drops 'ICONOLOGY' Project and 'Throw It Back' Video". Yahoo! News. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ a b Igoe, Katherine. "Missy Elliott's New Music Video for "Throw It Back" Is a Visual Feast". Marie Claire. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ Reed, Anika. "Missy Elliott claims her icon status with new 'Iconology' EP, 'Throw It Back' music video". USA Today. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 2, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.