"She's a Bitch" isn't just the first single from Missy Elliott's much-awaited sophomore album, it's a statement of pride that repurposes that five-letter malediction for our heroine's own uses. The spirit of freedom and strength it represents reverberates throughout her tough-minded Da Real World. Elliott and creative cohort Timbaland shine again, hijacking song forms and beats, shifting tempos in the middle of tracks, and incorporating guests such as Outkast's Big Boi, Aaliyah, and Eminem to heighten intensity and drama as in a good film. Elliott and Timbaland are still in their early 20s, and it's a smart bet that they'll be around when their 30s roll up. --Rickey Wright