"I'm Better" is a song by American recording artist Missy Elliott, and features accompanying vocals by frequent production partner Lamb.[1]

"I'm Better"
Single by Missy Elliott featuring Lamb
ReleasedJanuary 27, 2017 (2017-01-27)
GenreHip hop
Length3:40
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Melissa Elliott
  • Cainon Lamb
Producer(s)Lamb x Yonni
Missy Elliott singles chronology
"Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)"
(2016)
"I'm Better"
(2017)
"Throw It Back"
(2019)

Critical reception edit

In a retrospective review of the song, Steven J. Horowitz from Vulture found that with "I'm Better" Elliott "reemerged with what could have been a triumphant single, but it didn’t feel entirely natural to her style. Flush with sirens and tip-toeing synths, "I’m Better" loses its footing with its trap-inspired meter – more Migos than Missy."[2]

Music video edit

The video was co-directed by Elliott and Dave Meyers.[3] Elliot noted that she had the video in mind upon listening to the track.[4] The video took a month to rehearse owing to Elliott's wish to make it "look like art instead of just a video"[4] and for the choreography to be "challenging".[4] Rolling Stone noted the video "builds on Elliott's future-forward off-kilter aesthetic",[3] also stating that it "nods as much to sci-fi as classic, Hype Williams-era hip-hop videos".[3] Further praise from Billboard, stating the music video is a "stylized, can’t-look-away clip", and noted the "aquatic sequence is an unexpected trip".[5]

Remix edit

An official remix of "I'm Better" was released in May 2017. The remix featured Eve, Lil' Kim, and Trina.[6]

Track listings edit

  1. "I'm Better" (featuring Lamb) – 3:33
  2. "I'm Better" (Remix) (featuring Eve, Lil Kim and Trina) – 4:29

Charts edit

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[7] 74
France (SNEP)[8] 120
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 71
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] 28

Release history edit

List of release dates, showing region, formats, label, and reference
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
United States January 27, 2017 Digital download [11]
March 14, 2017 Urban radio Atlantic [12]

References edit

  1. ^ Bundy, Will (January 27, 2017). "Missy Elliott Debuts New Single and Video 'I'm Better'". The FADER. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  2. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (September 4, 2019). "Every Missy Elliott Song, Ranked Missy has not just redefined pop music — she's consistently reinvented it". Vulture.com. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Legaspi, Althea. "See Missy Elliott's Colorful Video for Slow-Burning New Song 'I'm Better'". Rolling Ston.
  4. ^ a b c Lobenfeld, Claire (27 January 2017). "Missy Elliott on 'I'm Better', FKA twigs and the "five or six albums" she'll never release". Fact Magazine. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  5. ^ "Missy Elliott Debuts Electric New Song and Video 'I'm Better': Watch". Billboard. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  6. ^ Lamarre, Carl (May 24, 2017). "Missy Elliott Delivers Ladies' Anthem 'I'm Better (Remix)' With Lil' Kim, Eve & Trina". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  7. ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  8. ^ "Missy Elliott feat. Lamb – I'm Better" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  9. ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  10. ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  11. ^ "Missy Elliott – I'm Better (feat. Lamb)". iTunes. 27 January 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  12. ^ "Urban/UAC > Future Releases". AllAccess Music Group. March 14, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.

External links edit