Missy Elliott addresses hiatus from music

Nearly nine years have passed since Missy Elliott released her last album, and the groundbreaking rapper-producer is opening up on why it’s taken her so long to offer up new music.

In a chat with Yahoo’s “The Yo Show,” Elliott addressed her lengthy hiatus from the spotlight -- and admitted that fans will probably keep waiting.

“When I create something, it’s gotta be special, and it can’t just be to throw something out there because I feel like I’m Missy,” said told show host Michael Yo via video chat.

“I gotta feel like what I’m giving the fans is 100% and that it’s game-changing. I don’t just throw out microwave records.”

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After 2005’s “The Cookbook,” the hitmaker seemingly vanished from the pop landscape, choosing to slide into the background, producing and lending her voice to singles from Monica, Keyshia Cole, Jazmine Sullivan, Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia.

Elliott eventually began teasing her seventh album, “Block Party,” with a handful of singles throughout the late aughts -- “Best, Best,” “Ching-a-Ling,” “Shake Your Pom Pom” -- but no album ever materialized. Then, in late 2012, she dropped a pair of singles, “9th Inning” and “Triple Threat,” that reunited her with longtime collaborator Timbaland. But still, no release date for the album.

She assured fans that a comeback album is imminent. “I just ain’t telling nobody when,” she said.

While we continue awaiting Elliott’s long overdue comeback, relive “Ching-a-Ling” below: