Pitchfork

Even though "Work It" came out in the fall, it felt like summer vacation. The confidence and cockiness in this track is infectious, and it better be-- if you're going to come out and announce that this is a "Missy Elliott one-time exclusive," you'd better give us a reason to give a rat's ass. And there are so many reasons all over this thin-- the "request line" intro, the "uh, duh" break, Missy turning Chinese, Missy reversing her thang, "get your hair did," Missy giving Prince and Kunta Kinte's owner the business, Missy just playing hopscotch and double-dutch all over this dizzying whippoorwill of a beat, and tossing in a nod to Run DMC near the end for kicks. Listening to this track for the first time was like slowly falling in love, complete with the delirious butterflies and the tongue-tied ardor and that undeniable need to tell everyone about it.

When I think of Nick Kilroy, I'll think of his generosity and his boundless new-love enthusiasm for music he shared with a bunch of strangers that soon became confidants, co-conspirators, and-- most importantly-- friends. Even though Nick and I never exchanged more than a few words via e-mail, if that, it feels like I lost a long-time friend with whom I never spent enough time. Though the spirit of camaraderie and discovery he helped foster has been diminished by his untimely passing, it's to his testament that it will persevere and thrive long after we're all gone. Godspeed, Nick, and thank you. [From Gabba/Amp, September '02]