MISSY ELLIOTT PERFORMS AT ESSENCE FESTIVAL, PARTIES WITH BEYONCÉ & SOLANGE

Sparks were flying when Missy Elliott took the stage on Day 3 of the Essence Festival at New Orleans’ Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Saturday (July 4). In addition to performances from Usher, Mystikal, and Erykah Badu, the hip-hop trailblazer delivered one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend.

“I know y’all got your hair did and all that but we came to party,” said Missy (via Billboard). “I hope you brought your beautician with you.”

She ran through her hits including “Get Ur Freak On,” “One Minute Man,” “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” and “Hot Boyz.”

Missy Elliott and Tweet

But she had some technical difficulties when she got to “Pass That Dutch.” After asking the sound guy to repeat part of the song (to no avail), she was unable to continue her set for six minutes.

“See? These are the type of things that artists go through,” she told the crowd.

When the sound came back, she was barely able to get through “Holding You Down (Goin’ in Circles)” and “Need U Bad” with Jazmine Sullivan before the mics were cut off again, much to the displeasure of her fans.


Two hours later, at 1 a.m., she returned to the stage to apologize, accompanied by Essence Communications president Michelle Ebanks and Monica, who was slated to appear during Missy’s set. Ebanks attributed the abrupt end of Missy’s show to a “production issue.”

“I’m sorry I was cut off,” said Missy (via NOLA.com). “I came here to give 100 percent. I was cut off. I was disappointed. I thank you for coming out.”