An evening with Missy Elliott
Things don't always go according to plan.
LAS VEGAS — Four days before the surprise show that I’d been planning for three months, me and my lady friend, Triest, had a major misunderstanding.
It was about, of all things, a concert.
Essentially, a conversation between us went left, and it made me feel like my efforts were taken for granted.
Anyone who knows me knows I’ve never been a big planner. But when I actually try, I’m pretty good at it. And when the person is worth it, as Triest is, I spare no expense. She gets my best.
So to see months of planning come under attack was especially disappointing.
My job called for me to travel to Las Vegas this week. I’ll write more about how I spent six days in Sin City for Thursday. But much like last year, I used the opportunity to fly Triest out to join me for the final four days and three nights.
I just knew I had the perfect idea to make the first night of her trip special.
Legendary rapper, singer, songwriter and producer Missy Elliott was playing Las Vegas. Missy’s 24-city North American “Out of This World” tour is her first as the headliner.
The lineup also featured Ciara, Busta Rhymes and Timbaland — all legends in their own right.
I wouldn’t describe myself as a big fan of any of the artists. But all of them earned my respect long ago. Each made hits that composed the soundtrack of my life through college.
My six-year stint in Virginia gave me greater reverence for Missy’s career, as well as Timbaland’s. Both are Virginia natives. Both can be considered musical geniuses and have been labeled as such by many.
Ponying up for tickets wasn’t simply a way to provide entertainment. It also was a prime opportunity for me to pay homage after all these years. Each artist deserves their flowers.
And so on April 12, I forked over $243.80 for our seats.
By now you know how I get down. I only pay for reasonable seats at a reasonable price. Not the best. Not the worst. Being in the building is fine by me.
We sat in the 200 section of the 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena, the upper deck just left of the stage.
Triest didn’t know we were attending a concert until I spilled the beans out of frustration Tuesday. But she still didn’t know who we would be seeing.
As we made our way through the Park MGM and to the venue, I jokingly pointed to a Mexican band plastered on the wall and told her we were headed to see the act perform. Triest never flinched. If I planned it, she was willing to give it a shot.
But then the demographics of the crowd changed. It was a dead giveaway that the band I pointed to wasn’t the plan.
Upon entering the arena, we were handed glow bracelets that matched Missy’s setlist. The bracelets had Missy’s name and tour printed on them, but Triest never examined hers.
We made it all the way upstairs and began walking to our seats before Busta Rhymes’ simultaneous entrance let the cat out of the bag.
Triest immediately broke down crying. I think they were mostly tears of joy, perhaps with a mix of remorse for her role in our miscommunication.
By then, I was bouncing all over our section. Although not completely over our dust-up, there was no point in allowing it to ruin our night. Things don’t always go according to plan, and I’m learning to adjust whenever mine fall short of my standard of perfection. More importantly, despite my disappointment, our hiccup wasn’t worth holding on to.
Besides, I was there to party. And the always animated Busta Rhymes doesn’t rest until the crowd matches his energy. I gladly reciprocated.
Busta Rhymes, 52, performed with only his longtime hype man Spliff Star and longtime partner on the turntables, D.J. Scratch. Busta Rhymes played hits such as “I Know What You Want,” “Touch It,” “Break Ya Neck” and “Make It Clap.” He proudly boasted of not relying on special effects because, as he said, “we are the special effects.”
Before he departed the stage, Busta Rhymes gave away the rest of the lineup when he hollered for the crowd to make noise for Ciara and Missy.
Triest started crying some more.
Ciara then took the stage with at least a dozen dancers and commanded the stage with hits such as “1, 2 Step,” “Body Party,” “Ride,” “Goodies” and “Like a Boy.”
By the time Missy came on stage at 10 p.m, I honestly was pooped. Breaking my neck with Busta Rhymes wiped me out.
Still, I appreciated Missy’s set.
She gave us classics like “Get Ur Freak On,” “Work It,” “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” “One Minute Man” and “Hot Boyz.”
Everything about Missy’s production was purposeful. From her elaborate wardrobes, which included multiple outfit changes, to the choreography from her nearly two-dozen backup dancers.
I was more impressed by Missy, 53, keeping pace with the young men and women behind her who she lovingly referred to as “babies” who weren’t born when her debut album, Supa Dupa Fly, dropped in 1997.
That’s how long Missy has been doing her thing.
Thanks to her and a few legends, there was nothing remotely disappointing about our Saturday night.
“Ponying up for tickets wasn’t simply a way to provide entertainment. It also was a prime opportunity for me to pay homage after all these years. Each artist deserves their flowers.”
Such a great, kind, thoughtful sentiment/gesture!! Giving back! Saying Thank you!!