Missy Elliott, a versatile artist, is currently performing at various venues nationwide as part of her inaugural headlining tour, “OUT OF THIS WORLD—THE EXPERIENCE.” I had the opportunity to attend a preview of the tour last year, and I’m eagerly anticipating the upcoming show scheduled for this Thursday in Baltimore, Maryland.

In light of the occasion, I found it appropriate to bring attention to Missy for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. The most prominent selections include “Beep Me 911” or “Take Away” from her debut and third studio albums. Likewise, her contribution to LSG’s “All The Times,” where she provided vocals alongside Coko and Faith Evans, is noteworthy. However, my readers know how I get down, so I wanted to showcase “Friendly Skies” from her iconic debut album, “Supa Dupa Fly.”

The song “Friendly Skies” is a collaborative masterpiece by Missy Elliott and her longtime friend and collaborator Tim “Timbaland” Mosley, featuring the talented Ginuwine. The song ingeniously samples Earth, Wind & Fire’s “New World Symphony” and starts with Missy Elliott’s iconic line, “Yeah, a little slow jam.” At its core, “Friendly Skies” is a sensually charged track that skillfully employs airplane metaphors to convey themes of sexual intimacy.

Missy Elliott takes the lead in the first verse. In contrast, Ginuwine seamlessly joins in for the second verse, chorus, and bridge, creating a harmonious and enchanting performance that will surely captivate the audience. The compelling lyrics of “Friendly Skies” extend an alluring invitation to the listener, painting a vivid picture of a sexual journey with Missy and Ginuwine as the pilot and stewardess of the plane, guiding and tempting the listener to join them in the skies.

Throughout the song, the evocative airplane metaphors are skillfully woven into the lyrics, depicting the concept of sexual intimacy with remarkable creativity. Lines such as “Let’s make love across the friendly skies” and “Is there anything that you crave? Call on me, ’cause I’m a passenger of your plane” carry a potent and captivating allure that will indeed engage the audience. The palpable sexual tension between Missy Elliott and Ginuwine interlaces with the music, culminating in an electrifying bridge where Ginuwine passionately repeats “I want you,” adding an intense and captivating dimension to the song.

“Friendly Skies” is a compelling and seductive musical masterpiece that expertly uses the airplane setting to set the stage for a mesmerizing and sensual journey. While the song was never a single, it remains one of my favorite Missy Eillot tracks.

Final Grade: B+

“Friendly Skies” is available on all streaming platforms.