Missy Elliott: The Billboard Cover Shoot

“Missy Elliott is badass,” says Demi Lovato, who featured Elliott on the 2011 track “All Night Long.” “She is so creative, groundbreaking and talented. Collaborating with her was a highlight of my career.”

“If I wanted to do The Missing Files of Missy Elliott, I have probably six albums just sitting there,” she says. She’s the first to admit that she didn’t think the break was going to be this long. “But it was much needed,” she says. “People hadn’t realized that I haven’t just been an artist, I’ve been a writer and a producer for other artists. When you’re writing that much, your brain is like a computer. You have refresh it.”

“I never record in front of anybody,” she says. “[Even] Tim has never seen me record a day in his life.” Early on she worked with an engineer, but for many years now she has recorded her parts alone -- with two exceptions. “It’s just me and my little Yorkies, Poncho and Hoodie.”

“I’ve done mad shows, but my last amazing tour was me, Beyoncé and Alicia [Keys, in 2004]. I’d love to do one with B.” And when will the album be out? “I want to say 2016 but I don’t want to give a time. Nowadays you say a time, they’ll stone you.”