Missy Elliott is renowned for her innovative videos — from 1997’s “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” to 2002’s “Work It,” the Songwriters Hall of Famer has a knack for enthralling choreography, colorful costumes and eye-popping effects.
On Wednesday (July 7), Ms. Misdemeanor put on her videographer hat for the City Girls’ “Twerkulator” video, another elaborate affair featuring dozens of dancers and yes, lots of booty.
Entirely directed by Elliott, the video follows the chaos that ensues after Elliott delivers a city-wide alert: “The Twerkulators have already invaded Twerk-City and you don’t have much time.”
Over Afrika Bambaataa’s iconic “Planet Rock” anthem (by way of Kraftwerk), the City Girls’ Yung Miami and JT then get to work rapping about their twerking skills against a vibrant graffiti backdrop and fake city skyline.
Elliott’s touch can be felt throughout the roughly three-minute affair. At one point, JT, Yung Miami and company become nothing but talking heads among several other wig mannequins while the choreography stays stellar.
But anyone looking for deep lyrical content won’t find that in the “Twerkulator” video.
JT and Yung Miami keep it light with lines such as, “Yung Miami, yeah, bitch, I’m from the city (Miami)/I’m litty, diamonds drippy, eat my pussy, that’s a quickie (ah)/I’m twerkin’, pussy poppin’ like a Cuban bitch at tootsies (oww)/I’m a City Girl, y’all bitches is some hoochies.”
The “Twerkulator” single originally arrived in May and peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 19 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. The duo performed a live rendition of the track at the 2021 BET Awards last month that was just as explosive as the new video.