Rolling Stone's Best Song of the 21st Century Went to Missy Elliott
Late last year, Rolling Stone Magazine released its list of the 250 "Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far." And according to the music publication, the best song of the century arrived in just its second year.
Rolling Stone bestowed No. 1 honors upon hip-hop legend Missy Elliott for her 2001 hit, "Get Ur Freak On."
The Grammy award winning track, produced by Elliott and Timbaland, claimed the top spot over "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Crazy in Love" by Beyonce feat. Jay Z, "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes and "All Too Well" by Taylor Swift.
Rolling Stone lauded the song's innovation and futuristic sound.
"Missy Elliott dropped "Get Ur Freak On" just in time to rule the radio in the long, hot summer of 2001 - and nothing was ever the same," the publication wrote in its description. "It was more than just the latest mind-bending Missy smash - it was a challenge, a dare, the sound of Miss E and Timbaland defying everyone else to keep up with the future or get left behind."
"It was a nonstop freak manifesto that made the musical future sound limitless," Rolling Stone concluded. "And after more than two decades, 'Get Ur Freak On' still sounds like the future - everything vibrant and inventive and cool about 21st-century pop is in here somewhere."
Rolling Stone crowns @MissyElliott's "Get Ur Freak On" as the #1 GREATEST SONG OF THE 21ST CENTURY SO FAR
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) October 8, 2025
"It was a nonstop freak manifesto that made the musical future sound limitless."
Ranked list: https://t.co/ia91kDx59Qhttps://t.co/OlCLq0tnVqpic.twitter.com/ELqCH28h9T
Of course, like any list of greatest songs, this No. 1 selection drew a mixed-bag of reactions from music fans.
"Choosing 'the best' of thousands of songs across genres is so impossible, it's kind of an arbitrary choice anyway, so why not this one? It's an excellent song and Missy deserves honors for sure," one Reddit user wrote.
"I probably wouldn't have made it number ONE but Missy definitely deserves a spot or two on the list," another added.
"Awfully early in the 21st century to be making that claim. And also, no," another said.
"They finally got something right," another said.
Elliott, the first female hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, told Rolling Stone that she's "super excited and thankful" to be included at the top of the list.
What song would you pick as the best of the 21st century so far?
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 3:30 AM.