Take Away

The story behind

When Missy Elliott set out to create Miss E... So Addictive, she sought to explore different facets of her sound. From that search emerged Take Away, an R&B ballad that was released as the album's third single in October 2001. The song, co-written by Elliott herself and Timbaland, who also handled the main production, features the vocal collaboration of Ginuwine. On the album version, the voice of Kameelah Williams from 702 can be heard on the choruses, while for the single release, these were replaced by those of Tweet, an emerging artist whom Missy Elliott had mentored. The music video for Take Away, directed by Dave Meyers, became a heartfelt tribute to Aaliyah, a close friend of Missy Elliott, who passed away in August 2001. The clip unfolds in a dreamlike setting, with Elliott and Tweet sharing scenes in a palace adorned with angelic statues and flowers, while Ginuwine performs his verses in contrasting settings such as a cave and the palace steps. During their parts, both artists look at waterfalls where images of Aaliyah are reflected. The video also includes a snippet of the song 4 My People, presented as an optimistic dedication to the victims of the September 11th attacks and the citizens of the United States. Despite its emotional background, the critical reception of Take Away was varied, with some publications noting that it strayed from Missy Elliott's more energetic and experimental style.