Missy Elliot gets a star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Image Source: Pitchfork
Missy Elliot, an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer who has won four Grammy Awards, has been recognized as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Missy Elliot's star will be placed outside the new Amoeba Music location on Hollywood Boulevard, along with other stars for musicians, according to Ana Martinez, the Walk of Fame's producer.
Ana Martinez said, "After the pandemic is resolved, we will hopefully go back to normalcy for our ceremonies with fan pits”. Missy Elliot's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is the 2,708th since the Walk was inaugurated in 1961.
During the Walk of Fame ceremony, Missy Elliot said, "I came here 20-something years ago and just used to walk past all these stars and just imagine." It’s just a blessing to dream big and have it truly happen. I am truly standing here. I kind of give this to my female MCs in hip-hop, to my sisters in hip-hop. Furthermore, I want to say I love each one of you. The ones that are popping now, the ones that are about to pop, But I want to give a big, big shout out to the godmothers of this, and that are Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Sha-Rock, Angie Stone, Roxanne Shanté, Yo-Yo, MC Lyte, and Salt-N-Pepa. I know I’m probably missing some, but all of you that started before me, because you are the backs that we stand on. You are the foundation. You all ran, so we could walk, you all stood up for something, so we could sit comfortably, so I thank you all for this moment. "
Her manager, Mona Scott-Young, as well as her collaborators, Ciara and Lizzo, who expressed their joy at their friend receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, introduced Missy Elliot at the ceremony.
Ciara said, "She paved the way for me and so many others who followed. There is no one like Missy. She oozes with boundless creativity, is a visionary and the epitome of true artistry. Strength, integrity, and grit She created the genre-blurring sounds of modern hit makers that continue to define space and time.”
Mona Scott-Young, Lizzo, Missy Elliot, and Ciara at the ceremony. Image Source: 247 news around the world
Tearful Lizzo during her speech to Missy Elliot said, "The brightest star in the universe." I watched you my entire life, and I saw a superstar in you, but I also saw myself. I’d never seen myself before. You live so boldly, so beautifully, so unapologetically, so out loud. You have no idea what you have done for so many black girls. We don’t deserve you. We don’t deserve Missy Elliott, but you continue to give to us and give with your heart. You are a genius, Let me just drop some words: Genius! Icon! Queen — hip-hop's queen! Visionary! I want to thank you so much for helping me in my career. I never in a million years thought I’d get to meet you, and not only did I get to meet you, but we worked in the studio together! Thank you for making my dreams come true. You have no idea what you mean to all of us, Missy. We love you. We celebrate you. God Bless You. This is more than deserved. Let us continue to celebrate all of your accomplishments and your influence forever. We love you so much, Missy. Congratulations. "
Ana Martinez, Hollywood Walk of Fame producer, said, "Missy Elliott has broken through the barriers of the male-dominated hip-hop world and the music industry as a whole, as she has led the way for many women who have followed in her footsteps. She continues to break barriers year after year, and we’re thrilled to be able to honor her on the Walk of Fame. "
In 1991, the rapper debuted in the industry by forming the all-female R&B combo 'Fayze' with her neighborhood friend Timothy Mosley, who is now known as the rapper and singer Timbaland, who served as the group's producer. The late R&B, pop, and hip-hop artist Aaliyah's collaborators Elliot and Timbaland created an innovative, idiosyncratic sound that was heard on a slew of hits for the late R&B, pop, and hip-hop artist Aaliyah, including "One In A Million," "If Only Your Girl Knew," and "Hot Like Fire," as well as chart-topping favorites like SWV's "Can We," 702's, "Where My Girls At?" Destiny's Child's, "Confessions", and Whitney Houston's "In My Business".
Missy Elliot released her first solo album, 'Supa Dupa Fly,' in 1997, and the Recording Industry Association of America certified it platinum. Her five albums went on to be certified platinum later on. Missy Elliot went on to win four Grammys, including best rap solo performance in 2002 for "Get Ur Freak On," best female rap solo performance in 2003 for "Scream a.k.a. Itchin," "Work It" in 2004, and best short-form music video in 2006 for "Lose Control." The singer also sang her Grammy-winning singles "Get Ur Freak On" and "Work It" at the Super Bowl 49 halftime show in 2015.
Katy Perry and Missy Elliot at the Super Bowl 49 halftime in 2015. Image Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Talking to Variety, Missy Elliot mentioned that her mother was a singer, and she used to be in a group that would travel locally around Virginia, and ever since Missy was young, she used to sing about everything possible. The singer also mentioned that if she wasn’t singing, she was usually dancing, and during family functions, her family would ask her to get on the table and start singing and once she was on the table singing, she would never stop.
Missy Elliot continued in her interview, "When I first started, I would just make up melodies in my head and write them down, then when I started getting with producers, I would take those songs and put them over their beats; my freshman year of high school, I met a guy named Eric and I would record at his house. Later, I used a dicta phone, but now I sing into my phone”. When asked about her female role models, Missy Elliot mentioned Patrice Rushen and Angela Winbush, but she also mentioned that there are a lot of women who put in their effort without even lifting an equipment. These women put in the same amount of hard work and dedication towards their respective jobs but are not given enough credit, such women are her inspiration. She also added when people hear about these women and her, it allows the society to open a door for more women who want to work and do something with their lives.
Missy Elliot always credits her mother as her mentor, along with Gina Thompson, Sylvia Rhone, Mona Scott-Young, and the late Chris Lightly. When she was asked about the reason behind her slowing down recently, Missy Elliot mentioned that it was definitely because of her health, and she shared that people don’t understand how hard it is to maintain so many hats; artist, writer, producer, managing other artists and making sure that the two roles shouldn’t clash. She shared, "I just felt like I needed to refresh, like a computer, before I crashed. Thankfully, the music we’ve done was so futuristic that it doesn’t feel dated, it has stood the test of time, and those records continue to be out there".
When she was asked about how she feels about getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Missy Elliot said that she is grateful for the honor. She shared that when you get to be amongst so many stars, it's a blessing, especially when people think that she has taken off. She was constantly working and never had the chance to realize how much work and dedication she had put into getting to this place. Furthermore, she finally added, "So I am thankful that I’m here, and to everyone who thought I could be amongst these stars, I am grateful for sure."
Congratulations to Missy Elliot!
