It was a special moment for the two!
This past weekend, Missy Elliott made history as the first woman hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The moment was a special one for the Virginia rapper, the induction coming on the heels of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. During her three-plus decade career, Elliott has pioneered a lane all her own, known for her style and trailblazing sound. A 5x Grammy Award winner, 2x honorary doctorate recipient, and the first woman rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Elliott said the moment was a pivotal moment for the genre and women rappers everywhere.
“I want to say this is HUGE not for just me but all my sisters in Hip Hop. This door is now OPEN to showcase the hard work & what many of us contribute to MUSIC. I have cried all morning because I am GRATEFUL,” Elliott previously said.
Queen Latifah presented Elliott with the honor, describing her as “avant-garde without even trying.” She cheered her on from the stage as Elliott wrapped up an outstanding performance of her most popular hits, dressed in a golden sweatsuit and bucket hat.
“Trust me, nothing sounded the same after Missy Elliott came on the scene. Nothing. All the kick snares, 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’s always looking ahead,” said Latifah.
"Trust me, nothing sounded the same after @MissyElliott came on the scene…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's always looking ahead." – @IAMQUEENLATIFAH pic.twitter.com/728DT2H9DK
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) November 4, 2023
Elliott took the stage after her stellar performance and got emotional as she began to reflect on her career. As she thanked her peers and executives who believed in her from the start, she shared one unknown fact with the world. This induction ceremony was the first time her mother had ever seen her perform, making the night that much more special.
“My mother has never seen me perform in my whole entire career. It’s not my mother’s fault…I never wanted my mother to come to a show to hear me curse because she from the church. So, this night is so important, and I wouldn’t have it no other way. Mommy, I thank you,” said Elliott.
Funfact🤣My mom never seen me perform live be4 because I said Lord she gonna gag hearing some of these songs live🫣😩 but I couldn’t have her miss my induction in the Rock & Roll hall of fame I said momma close ya ears when I say sumn crazy😩🤣 This her at @rockhall 🤗💜 pic.twitter.com/HoSn5jKdHt
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) November 6, 2023
The “Supa Dupa Fly” rapper said she had to “pinch herself” when she thought about being inducted alongside some of her peers. Elliott remarked that awards like these sometimes seem “so far away” for hip-hop artists, noting that she was extremely honored. Elliott was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside the father of hip-hop, DJ Kool Herc, and icon Chaka Khan, who received her induction into the musical excellence category.
I got to the podium & my mind went blank it is a feeling that’s almost unimaginable as I listened to the Cheers & Claps of so many ppl I felt like a little girl again singing to my babydolls in my room. I felt like the child who told my teachers I’m gonna be a star🥹I hope I’ve… pic.twitter.com/E5JKaZ3p4M
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) November 4, 2023advertisement
According to Entertainment Weekly, the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set to air January 1st on ABC, or you can catch it available for streaming on January 2nd via Hulu and Disney +.
Cover photo: Missy Elliott Thanks Mom Who Had Never Seen Her Perform in Emotional Rock Hall Speech/Missy Elliott and her mother Patricia Elliott, Portsmouth, Virginia, October 17, 2023/Photo by Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot