Missy Elliott, the iconic artist known for her innovative contributions to hip-hop and pop culture, has made history as the first female rapper to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With a mesmerizing performance showcasing her hits, the hip-hop icon demonstrated why she has etched her place in music history.
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Missy Elliott has etched her name in history as the first female rapper to gain induction into the esteemed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Queen Latifah, paying tribute to Elliott, emphasized her remarkable skills as a producer, noting her collaborations with artists like Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, and Aaliyah. The duo of Missy Elliott and producer Timbaland revolutionized contemporary music with their genre-bending album Supa Dupa Fly, elevating hip-hop and leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Latifah praised the “Get Ur Freak On” singer stating:
“We had never heard anything like that in our lives. They opened the door to new possibilities in all aspects on contemporary music, very much including rock and roll, but trust me, nothing sounded the same after Missy came on the scene. All the kick snares and everything changed — the bass lines changed, the pockets changed, the cadence, the writing. And that’s because Missy has always been a futurist, someone who is always looking ahead. She is avant-garde without even trying.”
Queen Latifah continued by saying:
“Missy has never been afraid to speak out about the misconceptions, the stereotypes, and the straight-up misogyny that has been placed — and the obstacles — that have been put in place in the way of women,” Latifah said. “She has been a leader in blowing those obstacles away. But Missy’s message really is for everyone, and that message is, ‘It’s possible to do everything and to be great at it.’”
In a show-stopping performance that spanned several decades of her illustrious career, Elliott captivated the audience with a medley of her hits.
Dressed in a dazzling gold suit and accompanied by a talented troupe of dancers, she kicked off with the infectious energy of “Get Ur Freak On” before delving into the mesmerizing “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).” The medley continued with crowd favorites like “Work It,” “Pass That Dutch,” and “Lose Control,” with Elliott even venturing into the crowd, ensuring a truly unforgettable moment.
Updated By: Kynedei Iman Hobbs (11/6/23 at 6:23 pm)
Missy Elliott has made history as the first female rapper to be included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as one of seven acts voted in for induction. DJ Kool Herc was also among the inductees, while A Tribe Called Quest was nominated but did not make the cut.
Missy Elliott has shattered yet another glass ceiling, as the first woman in rap to be included in the Rock Hall. She joins the ranks of previous rap inductees, including Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, N.W.A, Public Enemy, and Jay-Z. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony is set to take place on November 3, 2023, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
It’s times I have gotten on line & seen your irrelevant your a flop your washed up & it would crush me at times🥺BUT God you made me STRONG I kept going & you allowed my decades of WORK to SPEAK 4 itself🙏🏾 I am HUMBLED thank you all my Supporters💜 I LOVE YOU💜 pic.twitter.com/gkHUttWoU5
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) May 3, 2023
Elliott has also made history as the first female rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, won four Grammy Awards, and received the MTV Video Vanguard Award. In addition, she was recently honored at the Black Music Collective alongside Lil Wayne and Dr. Dre.
Despite facing criticism and doubters, Elliott remained steadfast in her commitment to her craft, with her decades of hard work speaking for themselves.
DJ Kool Herc, widely considered the father of hip-hop, was also among the inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Jamaican-born DJ, whose real name is Clive Campbell, originated the breakbeat technique, a style of manipulating vinyl records that laid the foundation for hip-hop music.
While Elliott and DJ Kool Herc have reason to celebrate, A Tribe Called Quest’s fans and supporters were disappointed by the news that the group was not inducted. The rap group, known for hits such as “Can I Kick It?” and “Electric Relaxation,” has been eligible for induction since 2016 but has yet to make the cut.
Missy Elliott’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is yet another milestone in a career full of achievements. Her hometown has also honored her, with a street named after her, and she was recently awarded her second doctorate from an HBCU. Despite setbacks and criticisms, Elliott has persevered, paving the way for future generations of female rappers and cementing her place as a legend in the industry.
Hip-hop legends Missy Elliott and A Tribe Called Quest are nominated for the 2023 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Both, respectively, are among over a dozen names with hopes of notable induction.
Iconic rapper Missy Elliott and legendary rap group A Tribe Called Quest are among the 14 acts nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The list of nominees was announced on Wednesday, Feb. 1, with Missy and A Tribe Called Quest the only hip-hop acts to be nominated this year.
If they are inducted, they will join the small group of rappers that have been inducted, such as Jay-Z, Run-DMC, Biggie Smalls, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, N.W.A, Tupac Shakur, Public Enemy, Eminem, Grandmaster Flash, and The Furious Five.
Missy Elliott and A Tribe Called Quest, respectively, have a chance to be inducted after long-standing careers lasting over three decades.
Elliott, who just previewed a Super Bowl commercial, is being honored for her lyricism, choreography, and production. Recently, she received an honorary degree from Norfolk State University, and a street was named after her in her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia.
A Tribe Called Quest, or ATCQ, rose to fame in the 1990s and featured members Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Jarobi White, and the late Phife Dawg. The group was also known for their lyricism and jazz-infused production. In addition, they are also well-known for iconic albums such as 1991’s The Low-End Theory and 1993’s Midnight Marauders.
Other recently honored hip-hop acts include West Coast rap legend Snoop Dogg, iconic singer Sade, and legendary producer Teddy Riley, who was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
On Feb. 2, Missy Elliott will also be honored at the Black Music Collective along with rap icons Lil Wayne and Dr. Dre. All for their contributions to music. Each artist will be honored during Grammy weekend with the Global Impact Award.
Originally Written By: Nicole Bartley
