Rap pioneer Missy Elliott and R&B songstress Monica have been friends for a long time. Ever since the pair brought their forces together to deliver Monica’s After The Storm release, the chemistry and creative energy has done nothing but flourish. On Elliott’s Under Construction, Mo’ was featured on the Salt N Pepa sampled “Don’t Be Cruel (featuring Beenie Man)”.

The thing that made these collaborations work so well? Missy’s unique production skill that takes standard time signatures and samples that creatively come together to form obscure sounding, but consistent experimental tracks with Monica’s traditional R&B styling.

Now, the two come together to pair up once more for a track called “Until It’s Gone” off Monica’s New Life album. But, what’s more interesting is Mo’s thoughts on the new Missy album, which she spoke upon during an interview with Rap-Up.com.

“Missy is missing from music and hip-hop because there’s no one as creative, as dedicated,” said the R&B songstress, who collaborated with Missy on her latest album New Life. “She thinks outside the box, but at the same time, draws you in the box that she’s in. She’s able to make visuals of things that I’ve never even dreamed of. I think hip-hop really needs her right now.”

“I’ve heard some new music and all I can tell you is that Missy is at her absolute best when she’s at peace with herself and there’s no pressure,” she shared. “She’s been able to work on her record with a host of real talented people and reinvent herself all over again.”

Considering we’ve waited seven years since Missy’s last album The Cookbook (which found Elliott exploring different producers as opposed to mainly working with Timbaland productions as she’s done in the past). We find her teaming up with Timbo again and after a slew of one off releases from “Ching A Ling” [youtube] to the Danja produced “Best, Best” [YouTube], which was released to promote her Block Party album (that we’re waiting for, despite a probable name change)  it’s clear to see that these indications show that Missy has gone absolutely nowhere.

“Hold up, hell naw, like Britney Spears I wear no drawers,” she proclaims on the glorious 2007 collaboration with Dr. Dre and Justin Timberlake on the Timbaland record “Bounce” [Youtube] and we’re anxiously here unable to hold onto our knickers anymore.

Give us the tunes!