Missy Elliott Makes History as First Female Hip Hop Artist to Be Nominated to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
On Wednesday, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) announced its 2023 nominees with rapper and honorary Norfolk State Univesity graduate, Missy Elliott becoming the first female Hip Hop Artist to achieve the honor.
“This is an incredible honor. I’m so humbled and grateful to be counted amongst all the incredible honorees,” Elliot said. “I’ve spent my career making the kind of music I love and it means so much to know that I have touched others as well. But to hear that I am the first female hip hop artist to EVER be nominated into the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame?!? Wow!! This one hits extra different as I hope it opens doors for other female emcees to be recognized!”
Missy Elliot is one of the most prolific rappers of all time with many accolades to her name.
Elliot was also the first female rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2019), the first to receive the MTV VMAs Video Vanguard Award (2019), and with more than 40 Million records sold worldwide, she is the best-selling female rapper in Luminate history, according to Billboard.
She has four Grammys, six solo albums, and has had five top 10 singles in her career, with her single “Work It” hitting No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2003. Elliott is also one of the most in-demand producers and songwriters in the business, working with a multitude of artists including Mary J. Blige, TLC, Beyoncé, Ciara, Fantasia, Jazmine Sullivan, and more.
“I have cried my eyes out,” the songstress shared when reacting to the news on Instagram. “I am so HUMBLY GRATEFUL for this nomination with also 14 other Amazing artist so grateful.”
“To All of you & my fans who been through this journey with me I Thank You also 4 helping me get here,” she continued in her post. “YOU ROCK.”
RRHOF inductees will be revealed in May, with the induction ceremony taking place this fall.
According to Billboard, the top five artists selected through fan voting will be tallied along with the ballots from the Rock Hall’s international voting body to determine the Class of 2023. Fans can vote online every day through April 28 at vote.rockhall.com or IRL at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland.
