Missy Elliot: 'I still miss Aaliyah'

Missy Elliot has admitted that she still thinks about Aaliyah "every day".

Talking with MTV News on the ninth anniversary of the late singer's death, Elliot revealed that she would pay tribute to her friend and former collaborator by continuing with her daily routine.

"I plan to spend my day the same as any other day," she said.

"There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of [Aaliyah] or watch a video or play her music. I miss her every day."

She also reflected upon the first time she met with the 'Try Again' star.

"When me and [Timbaland] first went to work with her, we were so nervous. She was such a big star, and I was scared she was gonna be some diva, sipping on tea, with people fixing her hair and nails, and she would say, 'What is this music you got? It's wack!'" she recalled.

"But when we walked in the studio, her smile made the whole room glow! She was like 'Heyyyyy!' and gave us big hugs and made us feel like we were her cousins from down South. She was a very sweet spirit! Never seen her angry as long as I've known her, and in this business, that's unheard of!"

Elliot went on to describe Alliyah as "an inspiration" to younger artists who have followed in her footsteps.