Missy Elliot Makes History As First Female Rapper Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

Published on May 3, 2023

Missy Elliot is making history as the first female rapper to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

On Wednesday it was announced that Missy is a part of the 2023 class of inductees alongside Willie Nelson, Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, George Michael, and more, Variety reports. The “Work It” hitmaker will be inducted in a ceremony taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York in November.

Her induction comes the same year as the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and serves as a nod to the genre’s prominence in the music industry. Elliott is the only artist to be inducted into the renowned list in her first year of eligibility. It’s been 25 years since Missy made her commercial debut with her 1997 album “Supa Dupa Fly.”

“Missy Elliott got in first ballot, just like Eminem got in first ballot last year and Jay-Z the year before,” John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame said.

“So if there’s a throughline we’re seeing, it shows the power of hip-hop music culture now, as if we didn’t know it already, as far as how quickly these artists are being recognized on the first ballot.”

The “Get Ur Freak On” rapper has worn many hats in her years in the business having served as an executive producer, songwriter and talent scout, as noted by Cleveland. Elliot is already included in the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, has four Grammys, two American Music Awards, and a Billboard Women in Music Innovator award.

The Virginia native took to Twitter to express her gratitude ahead of the induction ceremony later this year.

“It’s times I have gotten on line & seen your irrelevant your a flop your washed up & it would crush me at timesBUT God you made me STRONG I kept going & you allowed my decades of WORK to SPEAK 4 itself,” she wrote.

“I am HUMBLED thank you all my Supporters I LOVE YOU”

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