Missy Elliott became the first female rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 13.
What We Know…
- Singer-rapper Lizzo performed a tribute bringing Elliott’s music videos to life with a performance from rapper and actress Da Brat.
- Queen Latifah inducted Elliott into the Hall of Fame celebrating her for her two decades of musical success and thanking Elliott for her friendship.
- Former first lady Michelle Obama payed homage to Elliott in a pre-recorded video that played during Elliott’s induction, celebrating Elliott’s trailblazing career and inspiration to young girls.
- Elliott delivered a tearful speech thanking the female singers before her who paved the way for her success.
- Elliott is only the third rapper to have entered the Songwriters Hall of Fame; JAY-Z was inducted in 2017 and Jermaine Dupri was inducted in 2018.
- The inductees were announced January 12, 2019. Other inductees include country music songwriter and singer Tom T. Hall and pop songwriter Dallas Austin who has collaborated with Pink, Boyz II Men and Madonna.
- Songwriters are only eligible to be inducted into the Hall of Fame once they have been writing popular music for 20 years.
- Elliott made history earlier this year as she became the first female rapper to ever receive an honorary Doctor of Music from Berklee College of Music. Elliott has won five Grammy’s and been nominated for 18.
- Elliott recently publicly fought Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid, which halted her career when she was diagnosed in 2008.
Elliott’s inspiring induction opens doors for rap stars and female artists around the globe.
