Missy Elliott Honored as Originator Amid “Hawk Tuah” Viral Trend
3 min read
Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Amid the viral “Hawk Tuah” trend, Missy Elliott is celebrated for originating similar sounds in her 2001 hit song “Get Ur Freak On.”
Last week, the phrase “Hawk Tuah” took the internet by storm. This quirky onomatopoeia, mimicking the sound of gathering saliva and spitting it out, exploded in popularity after YouTuber duo Tim and Dee TV shared an Instagram Reel. During one of their late-night Q&A sessions on June 11 in Nashville, Tennessee, a woman responded to a question with, “Oh, you gotta give him that ‘hawk tuah’ and spit…” Her distinct Southern accent and playful delivery captured the attention of the interviewers and netizens alike.
As the phrase gained traction, fans began linking it to rapper and music icon Missy Elliott, crediting her for popularizing a similar sound in her 2001 hit song Get Ur Freak On. Though she didn’t use the exact phrase, Elliott’s lyrics, “Quiet (Shh), hush your mouth/ Silence when I spit it out/…/ (Holla) Ain’t no stoppin’ me,” resonated with many as the original inspiration.
Social media users quickly acknowledged this connection:
“One user paid homage to the originator,” noted a comment.
“Miss Elliott was the original Hawk Tuah girl BTW,” added another.
Missy Elliot was the original
— Anxiety Hour (@LewMan90) June 22, 2024
Hawk Tuah girl
BTW
🤣 pic.twitter.com/ykc3fbXpEN
“Missy Elliott deserves royalties for that Hawk Tuah stuff,” remarked a netizen.
“Missy Elliott coined ‘Hawk Tuah’ first,” claimed another.
missy elliott said “hawk tuah” first.
— megan.⚡️ (@megantisocial) June 21, 2024
“Missy Elliott was preaching Hawk Tuah back in 2001,” observed a fan.
Missy Elliott was telling us to hawk tuah back in 2001 🤷#justsaying #HawkTuah
— Gem (@gemmacaddell86) June 23, 2024
“Missy Elliott, the original Hawk Tuah,” highlighted an individual.
Missy Elliott the OG Hawk Tuah
— Vniko the Derp😵💫 (@triskaidekaaa) June 22, 2024
“This generation’s oversight in crediting the queen of ‘Hawk Tuah,’ Missy Elliott, is eye-roll inducing,” lamented another.
The Tim and Dee TV video amassed over 9 million views in less than a week, catapulting the woman in the clip to internet fame as the “Hawk Tuah girl” or “spit on the thang” girl. Speculation about her identity ran rampant online, with two main contenders emerging. X user LD Basler (@ArmaLite15OU812) identified her as Katie Vickers, a 25-year-old from Paducah, Kentucky. Meanwhile, Belfast, Tennessee-based apparel brand Fathead Threads claimed she was Hailey Welch, a local customer who even signed their hats. TikToker Elayna Robinson was another name suggested during the viral hunt.
Missy Elliott’s Get Ur Freak On remains an iconic track from her third studio album, Miss E… So Addictive. Released in March 2001, the song features a fusion of bhangra and dancehall pop, co-produced by Timbaland and Tim Mosley alongside Elliott. It reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Elliott a Grammy Award in 2002 for Best Rap Solo Performance.
The song’s enduring appeal was highlighted when it was remixed for the 2014 comedy Neighbors, starring Zac Efron and Seth Rogen. Various artists, including KT Tunstall, Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra, and Eels, have also released their versions of the track, cementing its legacy in pop culture.
As the “Hawk Tuah” craze continues to sweep the internet, fans and followers honor Missy Elliott’s lasting influence, reminding everyone of her pioneering role in popularizing the distinctive spit sound.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
