Gossip Folks
single
CoverMissy_elliott-gossip_folks.jpg
ArtistMissy Elliott featuring Ludacris
AlbumUnder Construction
ReleasedDecember 9, 2002
Studio
Length3:54
Label
Writer
ProducerTimbaland
ChronologyMissy Elliott
Prev year2002
Next year2003

"Gossip Folks" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott featuring fellow American rapper Ludacris, released as the second single from her fourth studio album, Under Construction (2002), on December 9, 2002. Written alongside producer Timbaland, it peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100, topped the Billboard Dance Club Play chart, and reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart.

Background

The song is Missy's response to different rumors about her (e.g., her sexual orientation, her weight), and essentially tells those who spread these rumors to mind their own business. The refrain of "Gossip Folks" samples the 1981 song "Double Dutch Bus" by Frankie Smith.

Music video

The music video for "Gossip Folks" was directed by Dave Meyers, with principal photography taking place in late 2002 and premiered on Total Request Live on January 2, 2003.[1] Recaps In the beginning Elliott is walking through the hallway when students start announcing her entrance and begin to start rumors about her.

As Missy's verse starts, Missy and the students begin dancing through the chorus. The second verse starts in the cafeteria where Missy has her group of students have a food fight with another group. Also in the cafeteria are Tweet, Eve, and Trina impressing while sitting on a cafeteria table.

In the middle of the video a clip of "Funky Fresh Dressed" featuring Ms. Jade was played. The "Funky Fresh Dressed" segment of the video features Elliott and Ms. Jade with their green shades in a classroom. Missy begins to aggravate the teacher Faizon Love while Ms. Jade takes over the class with a yardstick as a symbol of power. Ludacris's verse begins directly after the "Funky Fresh Dressed" segment. He appears to be the principal.

The bus driver who appears in the last 10 seconds is Darryl McDaniels (DMC of Run-DMC). Toward the end of the video a mural dedicated to the late R&B/hip hop stars Aaliyah (1979–2001), Lisa Lopes (1971–2002), and Jam Master Jay (1965–2002) is shown. The video features several young dancers, including Monica Parales of former girl group School Gyrls and Alyson Stoner of The JammX Kids. Monica Parales auditioned for the role of Lead Kid Dancer in "Work It", but lost the role to Alyson Stoner. Monica eventually co-starred with Alyson in "Gossip Folks" and "I'm Really Hot". The music video also stars dancer and actress Jenna Dewan from Step Up.[2]

Tributes in the end of the video

Track listings

US 12-inch single[3]

A1. "Gossip Folks" (amended version)
A2. "Gossip Folks" (album version)
B1. "Gossip Folks" (instrumental)
B2. "Gossip Folks" (a cappella)
B3. "Gossip Folks" (TV track)

UK CD single[4]

  1. "Gossip Folks" (Fatboy Slim radio remix) – 3:31
  2. "Gossip Folks" (Fatboy Slim remix) – 6:42
  3. "Gossip Folks" (original version) – 3:54
  4. "Gossip Folks" (Fatboy Slim remix video)

UK 12-inch single[5]

A. "Gossip Folks" (Fatboy Slim remix) – 6:42
B. "Gossip Folks" (original version) – 3:54

European CD single 1[6]

  1. "Gossip Folks" (Fatboy Slim remix) – 6:42
  2. "Gossip Folks" (original version) – 3:54

European CD single 2[7]

  1. "Gossip Folks" (Mousse T. & Royal Garden remix radio) – 3:37
  2. "Gossip Folks" (Fatboy Slim remix) – 6:42

Australian CD single[8]

  1. "Gossip Folks" (Fatboy Slim radio remix) – 3:31
  2. "Gossip Folks" (Fatboy Slim remix) – 6:42
  3. "Gossip Folks" (original version) – 3:54
  4. "Gossip Folks" (Mousse T.'s original alternative) – 3:47
  5. "Gossip Folks" (Mousse T.'s Pogo remix extended) – 5:04
  6. "Gossip Folks" (Mousse T. & Royal Garden remix extended) – 5:19
  7. "Gossip Folks" (original video)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2002–2003)Peak
position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[9]39
Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)[10]10
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[11]20

Year-end charts

Chart (2003)Position
UK Singles (OCC)[12]107
US Billboard Hot 100[13]43
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[14]44
US Hot Rap Tracks (Billboard)[15]19
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[16]67
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[17]27

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesDecember 9, 2002Rhythmic contemporary · urban radioGoldmind · Elektra[18]
January 27, 2003Contemporary hit radio[19]
United KingdomMarch 10, 200312-inch vinyl · CD[20]
AustraliaMarch 24, 2003CD[21]

References

  1. ^ "Edward's TRL - January 2003". stratusfaction725.tripod. October 4, 2025.
  2. ^ Whatever Happened to the Little Girls From Missy Elliott's Music Videos?
  3. ^ Gossip Folks (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). The Goldmind Inc., Elektra Records. 2003. 67356-0.
  4. ^ Gossip Folks (UK CD single liner notes). The Goldmind Inc., Elektra Records. 2003. E7380CD, 7559-67380-2.
  5. ^ Gossip Folks (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). The Goldmind Inc., Elektra Records. 2003. E7380T.
  6. ^ Gossip Folks (European CD single liner notes). The Goldmind Inc., Elektra Records. 2003. 7559-67381-2.
  7. ^ Gossip Folks (European CD single liner notes). The Goldmind Inc., Elektra Records. 2003. 7559-67389-2.
  8. ^ Gossip Folks (Australian CD single liner notes). The Goldmind Inc., Elektra Records. 2003. 7559-67385-2.
  9. ^ "Top 50 Singles". Jam!. Archived April 24, 2003 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  10. ^ "Canadian Top 20 in 2003". Cross Canada Countdown. Archived April 7, 2005 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  11. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 14. March 29, 2003. p. 10. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  12. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2003". UKChartsPlus. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  13. ^ "2003 Year End Charts – The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on January 16, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  14. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2003". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  15. ^ "Year in Music: Hot Rap Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. December 27, 2003. p. YE-65.
  16. ^ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 14.
  17. ^ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 26.
  18. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1482. December 6, 2002. p. 18. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  19. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1488. January 24, 2003. p. 30. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  20. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 10 March 2003: Singles". Music Week. March 8, 2003. p. 21. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  21. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 24th March 2003". ARIA. March 24, 2003. p. 28. Archived from the original on April 6, 2003. Retrieved May 9, 2021.