Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott
Elliott in 2015
Elliott in 2015
Background information
Birth nameMelissa Arnette Elliott
Also known asMisdemeanor
Born (1971-07-01) July 1, 1971 (age 53)
Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Discography
Years active1988–present
Labels
Formerly ofSwing Mob · Sista
Websitemissy-elliott.com

Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott (born July 1, 1971), sometimes nicknamed as Misdemeanor,[3][4] is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She began on her musical career as a member of the R&B girl group Sista during the 1990s, who were part of the larger musical collective Swing Mob—led by DeVante Swing of Jodeci. The former group's commercially unsuccessful debut album, 4 All the Sistas Around da World (1994), was released by Elektra Records and met with positive critical reception. She collaborated with album's producer and Swing Mob cohort Timbaland to work in songwriting and production for other acts, yielding commercially successful releases for 702, Aaliyah, SWV, and Total.

Elliott re-emerged as a solo act with numerous collaborations and guest appearances by 1996, and in July of the following year, she released her debut studio album, Supa Dupa Fly (1997). As her mainstream breakthrough, the album was met with critical and commercial success, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200 and spawning the Billboard Hot 100-top 20 single "Sock It 2 Me" (featuring Da Brat).[5] Her second album, Da Real World (1999) produced the singles "She's a Bitch", "All n My Grill" (featuring Big Boi and Nicole Wray), and "Hot Boyz" (remixed featuring Lil' Mo, Nas, Eve and Q-Tip). The latter song set a 19-year record for most weeks atop the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs by January 2000 (until Lil Nas X's 2019 single "Old Town Road"), and spent 18 weeks atop the Hot Rap Songs chart from December 1999 to March 2000.

Elliott's third and fourth albums, Miss E... So Addictive (2001) and Under Construction (2002) made her the sole recipient of both Grammy Awards for Best Female Rap Solo Performance with their respective songs "Scream a.k.a. Itchin" (featuring Timbaland) and "Work It". Furthermore, the albums peaked at numbers two and three on the Billboard 200, respectively, while "Work It" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Her fifth album, This Is Not a Test! (2003) was followed by The Cookbook (2005), her sixth album which matched Under Construction as her highest charting release while spawning the Hot 100 top three single, "Lose Control" (featuring Ciara and Fatman Scoop).[6] Following a long-term hiatus, her debut extended play, Iconology (2019) marked her first release in 14 years.

Elliott has received numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards.[7][8][9] Her overall discography has sold 40 million records worldwide,[10] making her the best-selling female rapper in Nielsen Music history according to Billboard.[11] She was the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and received the MTV VMAs Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for her impact on the music video landscape.[12][13] In 2020, Billboard ranked her at No. 5 on their list of the 100 greatest music video artists of all time.[14] In 2021, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2023, she became the first female rapper to be nominated and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[15][16][17] In 2024, Elliot was honored as the 2022 recipient of the National Medal of Arts.[18]

  1. ^ Barlow, Eve (April 24, 2015). "Remembering TLC's Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes, The Trail-Blazing R&B Badass Who Should Never Be Forgotten". NME. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  2. ^ Chang, Jeff (2005). Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 445–446. ISBN 0-312-30143-X.
  3. ^ "Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott". GRAMMY.com. November 23, 2020.
  4. ^ Johnson, Nicole (February 21, 2003). "Missy Elliott The Goddess of Rap". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Richmond, Virginia. p. C1.
  5. ^ Hunter, Karen (July 28, 1997). "Missy to the Max How a Regular Homegirl Became Hip Hop's Freshest Princess". New York Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott". Grammy Awards. Archived from the original on January 16, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
  7. ^ "Missy Elliott". Grammy Awards. Archived from the original on January 16, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
  8. ^ Khari (February 2, 2015). "Missy Elliott Crushed The Superbowl & Now Everyone Is Ready for Her Comeback". The Source. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  9. ^ Ewart, Alan (October 27, 2015). "Missy Elliott Teases Comeback Track After A Decade Away". Inquisitr. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  10. ^ "Missy Elliott Calls 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nomination 'An Incredible Honor'". Billboard. February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  11. ^ Sun, Rebecca (August 9, 2017). "Missy Elliott Signs With WME: Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  12. ^ "Missy Elliott Inducted Into Songwriters Hall of Fame". Billboard. June 14, 2019. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  13. ^ Grein, Paul (August 12, 2019). "Missy Elliott to Become First Woman Rapper to Receive MTV's Video Vanguard Award". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  14. ^ "The 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time: Staff List". Billboard. August 27, 2020. Archived from the original on August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  15. ^ "2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee: Missy Elliot". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. May 3, 2023.
  16. ^ "Missy Elliott and DJ Kool Herc are among the artists included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2023". HotNewHipHop. May 3, 2023.
  17. ^ "Missy Elliot and DJ Kool Herc Chosen to be Inducted Into 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". XXL. May 3, 2023.
  18. ^ Mier, Tomás (October 21, 2024). "Missy Elliott, Selena, Queen Latifah to Receive National Arts Prize". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 22, 2024.