‘We’re a Lot More Into Raising Our Self-Esteem’

“Da Real World,” the title of Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott’s second album, seems awfully grounded for an artist who has quickly become almost larger than life. But don’t be misled.

The 17-song set serves up another high-octane dose of the New Jersey-based performer’s sultry singing and playful rapping. It’s the follow-up to “Supa Dupa Fly,” the 1997 widely acclaimed debut collection that sold more than 1.1 million copies.

Working again with production maestro Timbaland, Elliott turns in harder-edged lyrics on several songs this time, a testament to her versatility. (See review, Page 52.)

On Tuesday, the same day the album is released, Misdemeanor Lipstick, Elliott’s charity collaboration with supermodel Iman, hits cosmetic counters across the country. Over the next few months, the Gold Mind Inc., Elliott’s Elektra-distributed record label, will release albums by TC, Moca and Nicole. The rapper-exec also keeps busy as a record producer.

If she succeeds in the executive suite as she has in the studio, Elliott could stand as a female counterpart to music mogul Sean “Puffy” Combs.

Question: TLC’s hit “No Scrubs” is just the latest in a string of successes for women in hip-hop. There’s your own records, Lauryn Hill, Lil’ Kim, Da Brat. How do you think female hip-hop artists are being perceived now, as opposed to five years ago?

Answer: We’re a lot stronger and a lot more outspoken. You wouldn’t get songs back in the day about scrubs. Rappers and R&B; artists then were a little nervous to come out with songs like that. Now with everybody saying what they want to say, I feel . . . we’re a lot more into raising our self-esteem.

Q: What is it like being one of the few female label executives?

A: People have had a lot of nice things to say, that I’ve opened a lot of doors. It’s a lot of fun and a lot of work. A lot of people have production companies, but to have your own label, to put your album out on your own label, to have artists that you call the shots for, it’s a blessing.

Q: What new doors have you seen open that weren’t available a few years ago?

A: A lot more people are getting their own production companies, and a lot of artists are getting their own labels. That is a major difference. I also see a lot of artists being more involved in the production half of their albums. From a business aspect, they are getting other things to support them, whether it be a clothing line or movies.

Q: How did your lipstick deal come about?

A: I went through watching my mother being battered for many years. I decided that I should do a lipstick and give the profits to a charity dealing with battered teens or women who have been battered by their husband or boyfriend. It needed somebody behind it. My makeup artist is good friends with Iman. He put in a call to Iman, and she was with it 100%. We decided to give the proceeds to an organization called Break the Cycle, which is for kids 12 to 22.

Q: One of the biggest stories in rap this year is the arrival of Eminem, who is a guest on your new album. What’s your feeling about his controversial phenomenon?

A: Eminem is in a whole ‘nother category. He’s a suspenseful rapper. Of course, I don’t want to say the color, but he is a white rapper. He’s a star whether anyone wants to accept his lyrics or not. He’s major.

Q: With the lyrics on your new album being harder-edged, are you worried about how fans may react?

A: No, I was a street person before. Not to say I had to be growing up in the ‘hood or anything, but I always rapped that way. It just happened that my album crossed over. I don’t believe that I had a mainstream album last album. I’m blessed that it went that way, but I believe that that album was futuristic, just like this one. My album was Missy, and that’s what people love me for. This album is Missy again.