"Throw It Back" is a song recorded by American rapper

Missy Elliott Melissa Arnette Elliott (born July 1, 1971), better known as Missy Elliott or Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She embarked on her music career with R&B girl group Sista in the earl ...

for her first

extended play An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record.

Iconology Iconology is a method of interpretation in cultural history and the history of the visual arts used by Aby Warburg, Erwin Panofsky and their followers that uncovers the cultural, social, and historical background of themes and subjects in the visu ...

'' (2019). The song was released as EP's lead single on August 23, 2019.

Composition

"Throw It Back" was written by Elliott, Quintin Ernest Talbet, Michael Aristotle, and William Jared Buggs, while production was handled by Willi Hendrix. Musically, "Throw It Back" has been described as a "woozy, futuristic romp" containing "distorted bass lines", frenetic production", and

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snares. Lyrically, "Throw It Back" contains references to Elliott's history, as well as previous collaborators Tweet and

Heavy D Dwight Arrington MyersCuda, Heidi Sigmund Keeping it reel. ''Vibe'' ("born Dwight Arrington Myers")Samuels, Anita M. (January 12' 1996)Heavy D, the C.E.O. ''New York Times'' (May 24, 1967 – November 8, 2011), known professionally as Heav ...

, and Elliott's 2002 single " Work It".

Critical reception

Jordan Darville of ''

The Fader ''The Fader'' (stylized as ''FADER'') is a magazine based in New York City that was launched in 1999 by Rob Stone and Jon Cohen. The magazine covers music, style and culture. It was the first print publication to be released on iTunes. It is o ...

'', named "Throw It Back" "the standout track" from ''

''.

Music video

A music video for "Throw It Back" was released alongside ''

''. It contains a guest appearance from

Teyana Taylor Teyana Me Shay Jacqueli Shumpert ( Taylor; born December 10, 1990) is an American singer, actress, dancer and choreographer. In 2005, she signed a record deal with Pharrell Williams' Star Trak Entertainment imprint. Afterwards, she choreographe ...

. The video begins with a young girl waking up in an museum with paintings of the rapper. After entering a foggy room, Elliott appears with several dancers and cheerleaders in colorful outfits and afros. The video also contains references to Elliott's career, similar to the lyrical content. Anika Reed of ''

USA Today ''USA Today'' (stylized in all uppercase) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth on September 15, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headquarters in Tysons, Virgini ...

'' described the video as " hwoingElliott's unwavering authenticity" and "celebrating blackness". Katherine J. Igoe, writing for ''

Marie Claire ''Marie Claire'' is a French international monthly magazine first published in France in 1937, followed by the United Kingdom in 1941. Since then various editions are published in many countries and languages. The feature editions focus on wo ...

'', called the video "a complete return to form" for Elliott.

Personnel

Adapted from ''Iconologys liner notes. *

– lead artist, songwriter *Michael Aristotle – songwriter *Quintin Ernest Talbert – songwriter *Wili Hendrix – production *Chris Godbey –

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*Glenn Schick – mastering *Finis "KY" White – mixing

Charts

Release history

References

{{Missy Elliott 2019 singles 2019 songs Missy Elliott songs Songs written by Missy Elliott Music videos directed by Dave Meyers (director)