This Is Not a Test!

This Is Not a Test!
Studio album by
Missy Elliott
ReleasedNovember 25, 2003 (2003-11-25)
RecordedApril–August 2003
Studios
Genres
Length56:05
Labels
Producers
Missy Elliott chronology
Under Construction
(2002)		 This Is Not a Test!
(2003)		 The Cookbook
(2005)
Singles from This Is Not a Test!
  1. "Pass That Dutch"
    Released: October 14, 2003
  2. "I'm Really Hot"
    Released: March 23, 2004

This Is Not a Test! is the fifth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records on November 25, 2003, in the United States. It was primarily produced by Timbaland, with additional production from Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart and Elliott herself.

The album received generally favorable reviews from critics. The album debuted at number thirteen on the US Billboard 200, selling 143,600 copies in the first week of release.[2] It has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has sold 705,000 copies in the United States.[3][4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic79/100[5]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[1]
Entertainment WeeklyB[6]
The GuardianStarStarStar[7]
Los Angeles TimesStarStarStarHalf star[8]
NME8/10[9]
Pitchfork8.5/10[10]
QStarStarStarStar[11]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarStar[12]
SpinA−[13]
The Village VoiceA[14]

This Is Not a Test! was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 79 out of 100, based on 21 reviews.[5] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone gave the album four out of five stars, saying, "Why anybody would choose to spend their life without a copy of This Is Not a Test! is a mystery."[12] Dan Martin of NME gave the album eight out of ten stars, saying the album was "all about the beats" and "not a right lot else", adding it was "Missy's most uncompromising work yet".[9] Nick Catucci of Blender gave the album three out of five stars, saying the album "lacks feeling" and asked, "besides beats, what else does she care about?"[15] John Bush of AllMusic gave the album three out of five stars, saying the album "is an effective argument for song-by-song downloads."[1] This Is Not a Test! placed on Slant Magazine's list of best albums of the 2000s at number 87.[16]

Year-end lists

Appearances on year-end lists for This Is Not a Test!
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
NPR Best CDs of 2003 26
The Observer Albums of 2003 8

Commercial performance

This Is Not a Test! debuted at number thirteen on the US Billboard 200, selling 143,600 copies in the first week of release.[2] The album stayed on the chart for a total of 19 weeks.[19] On December 17, 2003, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over one million copies in the United States.[3] As of November 2015, the album has sold 705,000 copies in the US.[4]

Track listing

This Is Not a Test! track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Baby Girl Interlude/Intro" (featuring Mary J. Blige)
2:13
2."Bomb Intro/Pass That Dutch"
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
  • Elliott
  • Timbaland
3:37
3."Wake Up" (featuring Jay-Z)
  • Elliott
  • Timbaland
4:06
4."Keep It Movin'" (featuring Elephant Man)
  • Elliott
  • Timbaland
3:39
5."Is This Our Last Time" (featuring Fabolous)
5:26
6."Ragtime Interlude/I'm Really Hot"
  • Elliott
  • Timbaland
3:30
7."Dats What I'm Talkin About" (featuring R. Kelly)
  • Elliott
  • Stewart
  • Brockman
  • Kelly
4:48
8."Don't Be Cruel" (featuring Monica & Beenie Man)
  • Elliott
  • Timbaland
4:33
9."Toyz Interlude/Toyz"
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
  • Brockman
  • Elliott
  • Timbaland
  • Brockman
2:52
10."Let It Bump"
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
  • Elliott
  • Timbaland
2:50
11."Pump It Up" (featuring Nelly)
  • Elliott
  • Timbaland
3:05
12."It's Real"
  • Elliott
  • Brockman
  • Elliott
  • Brockman
2:52
13."Let Me Fix My Weave"
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
  • Elliott
  • Timbaland
3:59
14."Spelling Bee Interlude/Spelling Bee"
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
  • Elliott
  • Timbaland
3:34
15."I'm Not Perfect" (featuring The Clark Sisters)
  • Elliott
  • Stewart
  • Brockman
  • Elliott
  • Stewart
  • Brockman
3:49
16."Outro" (featuring Mary J. Blige)
  • Elliott
  • Mosley
  • Elliott
  • Timbaland
1:21

Sample credits

  • "Pass That Dutch":
    • 'The Rapper' by The Jaggerz (1970)
    • 'Magic Mountain' by Eric Burdon and War (1970)
    • 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood' by Santa Esmeralda (1977)
    • 'Potholes in My Lawn' by De La Soul (1989)
    • 'Scenario' by A Tribe Called Quest feat. Leaders of the New School (1991)
  • "Keep It Movin":
    • 'I Know I've Been Wrong' by Mashmakhan (1970)
  • "Is This Our Last Time":
    • 'The Second Time Around' by Shalamar (1979)
  • "I'm Really Hot":
    • 'Buffalo Gals' by Malcolm McLaren (1982)
    • 'Release Yourself' by Aleem (1984)
    • 'Hot Music (Jazz Mix)' by Soho (1989)
    • 'Doin It' by LL Cool J (1995)
  • "Don't Be Cruel":
  • "Let It Bump":
    • 'I Cram to Understand U' by MC Lyte (1988)
  • "Pump It Up":
    • 'Please, Please, Please' by James Brown and The Famous Flames (1956)
  • "Let Me Fix My Weave":
    • 'Please Understand' by MC Lyte (1989)

Personnel

  • June Ambrose – stylist
  • Carlos "El Loco" Bedoya – engineer
  • Beenie Man – vocals, guest appearance
  • Ian Blanch – engineer
  • Bless – scratching, group member
  • Mary J. Blige – vocals, guest appearance
  • Stacy Boge – photo production
  • Anita Marisa Boriboon – art direction, design
  • Craig "Boogie" Brockman – keyboards, producer
  • Jay Brown – executive producer
  • Suzanne Burge – product manager
  • Demacio Castellon – mixing assistant
  • Vadim Chislov – mixing assistant
  • The Clark Sisters – vocals, guest appearance
  • Annette Coleman – hair stylist
  • Jimmy Douglass – engineer
  • Elephant Man – vocals, guest appearance
  • Missy Elliott – vocals, producer, executive producer
  • Fabolous – vocals, guest appearance
  • Roberto Fantauzzi – photo production
  • Linda Fields – background vocals
  • Andre Johnson – coordination
  • Claudine Joseph – product manager
  • R. Kelly – vocals, guest appearance
  • Michael Kennedy – prop design
  • Scott Kieklak – mixing
  • Safiya Lewis – coordination
  • Nelly – vocals, guest appearance
  • Lili Picou – design
  • Herb Powers – mastering
  • Chris Puram – engineer
  • Senator Jimmy D – mixing
  • Nisan Stewart – producer
  • Timbaland – producer, executive producer
  • Alonzo Vargas – assistant engineer

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for This Is Not a Test!
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[43] Gold 35,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[44] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[45] Gold 7,500^
United Kingdom (BPI)[46] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[47] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

This Is Not a Test! release history
Region Date
Germany November 24, 2003
United Kingdom
Canada November 25, 2003
France
Japan
United States

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bush, John. "This Is Not a Test! – Missy Elliott". AllMusic. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Martens, Todd. "Jay-Z Back Atop The Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved November 25, 2008.
  3. 1 2 "RIAA Certifications - Missy Elliott". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Trust, Gary (November 22, 2015). "Ask Billboard: Missy Elliott's Career Album Sales". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Reviews for This Is Not A Test! by Missy Elliott". Metacritic. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  6. ↑ Sinclair, Tom (November 24, 2003). "This Is Not a Test!". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  7. ↑ Lynskey, Dorian (November 21, 2003). "Missy Elliott: This Is Not A Test". The Guardian. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  8. ↑ Nichols, Natalie (November 23, 2003). "Elliott at the top of her class with 'Test'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  9. 1 2 Martin, Dan (December 3, 2003). "Elliott, Missy : This Is Not A Test!". NME. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  10. ↑ DiCrescenzo, Brent (December 3, 2003). "Missy Elliott: This Is Not a Test". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Missy Elliott: This Is Not a Test!". Q (211): 100. February 2004.
  12. 1 2 Sheffield, Rob (December 2, 2003). "Missy Elliott: This Is Not A Test!". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  13. ↑ Pappademas, Alex (January 2004). "Booty call—for help?". Spin. 20 (1): 95–96. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  14. ↑ Christgau, Robert (January 13, 2004). "Consumer Guide: MLK Fever". The Village Voice. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  15. ↑ Catucci, Nick. "Missy Elliott: This Is Not A Test Review". Blender. Dennis Publishing. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2008.
  16. ↑ "Best of the Aughts: Albums". Slant Magazine. February 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Christian Bordal on Music: Best CDs of 2003". NPR. December 31, 2003. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Albums of 2003". The Observer. December 14, 2003. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Billboard Chart History - Missy Elliott". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test!". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  21. ↑ "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 2nd August 2004" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (753): 16. August 2, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2023 – via Pandora Archive.
  22. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test!" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test!" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test!" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Albums : Top 100". Jam!. December 18, 2004. Archived from the original on November 21, 2004. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  26. ↑ "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. December 18, 2003. Archived from the original on December 23, 2003. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test!" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test!". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test!" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test!". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  31. ↑ "ディス・イズ・ノット・ア・テスト!" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Charts.nz – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test!". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 3/12/2003 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test!". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test!". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Missy Elliott Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart on 3/12/2003 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  38. ↑ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  40. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Urban Albums 2003". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 17, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2004". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  42. ↑ "2003 Year-End Chart – Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  43. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2004 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test". Music Canada. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  45. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test". Radioscope. Archived from the original on May 18, 2004. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  46. ↑ "British album certifications – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 28, 2018. Select albums in the Formats field. Type This Is Not a Test Missy Elliott in the "Search:" field.
  47. ↑ "American album certifications – Missy Elliott – This Is Not a Test". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
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