Missy Elliott's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction: A Dream Come True
Missy Elliott's disbelief at her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction as the first female hip-hop artist showcases the magnitude of her groundbreaking achievement
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Unable to fully grasp the magnitude of this milestone commendation, Missy Elliott is astounded to be recognized as the inaugural female hip-hop artist inductee into the esteemed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The rapper, known for her hit song "Get Ur Freak On," expressed her inability to put into words her feelings about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. During an interview on Good Morning America with Robin Roberts, the 52-year-old rapper stated that it still hasn't fully sunk in for her. She further explained that being in the hip-hop world made it feel like achieving such recognition was a distant dream. It took more than 20 years after the first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1986 for any hip-hop artists to be elected.
Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five were the first hip-hop act to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. Since then, nine more male artists have been honored with this prestigious recognition, including Jay-Z, LL Cool J, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, N.W.A., Public Enemy, Eminem, Beastie Boys, and Run-DMC. Elliott will soon become the eleventh hip-hop artist to receive this distinction.
During an interview with Roberts, Elliott explained, "Rock & roll is a melting pot of various music styles. Sometimes people assume that rock & roll must include a guitar, just as some perceive hip-hop to be solely about rap. However, hip-hop actually incorporates elements of jazz and blues as well."
Elliott has gained recognition as a trailblazer for women in the music industry. In 2019, she achieved two significant milestones. Firstly, she became the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of Jay-Z and Jermaine Dupri. Additionally, she made history as the first female MC to win the prestigious MTV Video Vanguard Award. Notably, Elliott emphasized the significance of her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognition, particularly as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
"No matter what others may say, the hip-hop realm is truly extraordinary," added Elliott.
Hailing from Portsmouth, Virginia, she had the privilege of being raised alongside renowned producer Timbaland. Collaboratively, they crafted chart-topping tracks for numerous artists, including the late Aaliyah. Elliott's exceptional contributions as a writer and producer span across acclaimed names such as Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Eminem, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and many others.
Missy Elliott in December, 2002 Gregory Bojorquez/Getty Images
She has released six albums, all of which have achieved platinum or multi-platinum status. Her most recent album, The Cookout, was released in 2005.
In June 2011, she revealed to People that her break from music was attributed to Graves' disease, a thyroid condition that leads to symptoms such as irregular heartbeats, fatigue, anxiety, vision loss, as stated by the Mayo Clinic.
Elliott received a diagnosis after experiencing intense leg spasms while driving, which almost led to a car accident. Despite four years passing, the disease continued to affect Elliott, notably during her performance alongside Katy Perry at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona.
Reflecting on the experience, Elliott shared in her interview with Roberts, "I was overwhelmed by anxiety... I started panicking. So, before the Super Bowl and before my performance, I found myself in the emergency room in the early hours of the morning." She expressed gratitude for the current societal climate that allows for open discussions about anxiety, as she knows that many others suffer from the same condition.
Elliott has conquered her anxiety and eagerly anticipates the presence of a particular individual at her induction ceremony into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The renowned rapper openly acknowledged her previous reluctance for her mother, Patricia Elliott, to witness her performances due to potentially offensive lyrics. However, she now desires her mother's attendance to celebrate her prestigious achievement and finds joy in knowing her presence will grace the Barclays Center for this momentous occasion.
“My mother has never seen me perform before … she’s seen me on TV,” Elliott said. “She has never been to a show. So, she’s coming for the first time.”
