Under Construction is the fourth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records on November 12, 2002, in the United States. The album was primarily produced by Timbaland, with additional production by Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart, Errol "Poppi" McCalla and Elliott herself. The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 259,000 copies in its first week. It was also certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album received Grammy Award nominations for Best Rap Album and Album of the Year. Elliott dedicated the album to Aaliyah (who had died on August 25, 2001) and to missyelloitskibidiskibdiiskibidiiii of the September 11 attacks.

Singles

"Work It" was released as the album's lead single on September 16, 2002. The single peaked at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, staying at that position for for ten weeks. As of 2023, "Work It" has sold over 3 million copies in the US alone. The official music video was directed by Dave Meyers. Under Construction's second and final official single was "Gossip Folks", which was released on December 9, 2002. Dave Meyers directed the video. "Gossip Folks" charted in 14 countries worldwide. "Back in the Day", featuring Jay-Z, was intended to be the album's third single. It was released in February 8, 2003, peaking at number 86 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, but was scrapped as a single. Additionally, another contender to be the album's official third single, was a newly recorded remix of "Pussycat" with guest vocals by Janet Jackson and featuring Lil' Kim. Elliott's label felt the song was too explicit to release and plans were withdrawn.

Reception

Under Construction received general acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, it earned an average score of 81 out of 100, based on 19 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. "It still sounds incredibly fresh, in all meanings of the word," observed the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' guitarist, Nick Zinner. "Karen [O, Yeah Yeah Yeahs' singer] and I listened to it all the time. We used to play it before we'd go onstage... 'Funky Fresh Dressed' is my favourite track. I don't know what else to say other than it's amazing."

Year-end lists

Commercial performance

Under Construction debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 259,000 copies in its first week. The album stayed on the chart for a total of 36 weeks. On July 14, 2003, the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over two million copies in the United States. By November 2015, the album had sold 2,142,000 copies in the US.

Track listing

Notes

Production

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications