аÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û

Top 15 Facts about Missy Elliott

Originally Published by Ian S in November 2022 and Updated by Pamela in January 2024

Melissa Arnette Elliott, best known as Missy Elliott, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Missy Elliott is a one-of-a-kind in the hip-hop world. Elliott is a proud one-woman band, singing, composer, rapper, and producer on the majority of her tunes. She’s also contributed her producing and songwriting talents to a long number of incredible singers, like Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and others.

Few musicians have had the cultural influence that Missy Elliott has had; her visionary presence as both a producer and an artist changed the whole rap and R&B genres that came after her. From international breakthrough-producing smashes for artists like Aaliyah and Tweet to Grammy Award-winning solo albums, Elliott made her mark on the recording industry in the late ’90s and early ’00s cementing her position among the best female rappers in history.

Even as her solo production slowed in the 2010s, Elliott continued to work as a producer, changing the trajectory of commercial rap and R&B for years to come. Here are the top 15 facts about the talented MC.

1. Missy Elliott was born on July 1, 1971, in Virginia

Missy Elliott was born on July 1, 1971, in Portsmouth, Virginia, at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. Her mother, Patricia Elliott, was a power company dispatcher, and her father, Ronnie, was a former US Marine. Her father was an active Marine, and the family lived in a manufactured home development in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Even though she had little interest in studies, she loved school because of the friendships she made. She later scored substantially above average on cognitive testing and was moved two years ahead of her previous class. Her grade change caused her to become isolated, and she purposefully failed, finally returning to her prior class.

2. She began her musical career in the church choir

Photo by Michael Maasen on

She began her musical career in the church choir. Elliott was up in a church choir household, so singing was a natural part of her life. She desired to be a singer since she was four years old, and according to historian Veronica A. Davis, she “would sing and perform for her family.” She later worried that no one would take her seriously because she was usually the class clown.

3. Missy had an abusive and impoverished life while growing up

When her father returned from service in the Marine Corps, the family relocated to Virginia, where they lived in abject poverty. Life in Virginia was fraught with difficulties. Elliott discusses her father’s domestic violence. She refused to stay at friends’ houses for fear of returning home to discover her mother dead.

Elliott was molested by a cousin when she was eight years old. Ronnie Elliott dislocated his wife’s shoulders in one violent encounter, and Missy was threatened with a pistol in another. Elliott’s mother decided to terminate the situation when she was fourteen and departed with her daughter under the guise of having a joyride on a local bus.

In truth, the couple had sought safety at the house of a family member, where their belongings were kept in a full U-Haul truck. Elliott expressed her concern that her father would murder them both for fleeing. Elliott and her mother resided in Portsmouth, Virginia’s Hodges Ferry neighbourhood.

4. Elliott formed an all-female R&B group, called Fayze in 1991

Elliott established Fayze, an all-female R&B group, with pals La’Shawn Shellman, Chonita Coleman, and Radiah Scott in 1991. She enlisted her friend Timothy Mosley (Timbaland) as the group’s producer and began recording demos, including the 1991 promo “First Move.” Later that year, Fayze piqued the interest of Jodeci member and producer DeVante Swing by singing Cappella versions of Jodeci songs for him backstage after one of his group’s gigs.

Fayze relocated to New York City and signed with Elektra Records under DeVante’s Swing Mob subsidiary, renaming the group Sista. Sista’s first single, “Brand New,” was released in 1993. Elliott accompanied Mosley, whom DeVante renamed Timbaland, and their friend Melvin “Magoo” Barcliff.

5. Elliott quit swing mob to focus on songwriting/production alongside Timbaland

Timbaland, Producer & Artist, Mosley Music Group, on the Q&A stage photo by Collision Conf –

Following their departure from Swing Mob, Elliott and Timbaland collaborated as a songwriting/production duo, penning songs for artists like SWV, 702, and, most notably, Aaliyah. They collaborated on nine songs on Aaliyah’s second album, One in a Million (1996), including the big singles “If Your Girl Only Knew,” “One in a Million,” “Hot Like Fire,” and “4 Page Letter.” Elliott provided backing vocals and/or guest raps on practically every tune on which she and Timbaland collaborated.

One in a Million hit double platinum, making the producing pair stars. Elliott and Timbaland proceeded to collaborate on songs for other singers, eventually producing singles for Total (“What About Us?”), Nicole Wray (“Make It Hot“), Destiny’s Child (“Get on the Bus“), and Aaliyah (“I Care 4 U“) before the singer’s death in 2001.

6. She has released six studio albums

Missy Elliott 2006 photo by Romana Pierzga –

Missy Elliott, an American rapper, singer, and record producer, has released seventy-four singles (including forty-four as a featured performer), twenty solo music videos, six studio albums, three compilation albums, one extended play, and seventy-four singles overall.

7. Elliott performed at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show in 2015

Katy Perry performing “Firework” in the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show photo by Joe Parks –

Elliott appeared alongside Katy Perry at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show in 2015. Elliott sang “Get Ur Freak On,” “Work It,” and “Lose Control” in a medley. The performance was well-received, and it resulted in a twenty-five-fold rise in album sales (to 2,000 copies) and a ten-fold increase in sales of the three songs she sang (to 71,000 units) compared to the previous week. It was also the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in NFL history, with 118.5 million Americans tuning in.

8. She’s the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

Missy Elliott live in Wireless Festival 2010 photo by Joanne Conlon –

She was the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame being the third overall, following Jay-Z and Jermaine Dupri. She is the first female recipient of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV VMAs for her influence on the world of music videos. The Berklee College of Music conferred an honorary Doctor of Music degree on Elliott.

9. She has won numerous awards in her entertainment career

Elliott has won eight MTV Video Music Awards, two American Music Awards, six BET Awards, four Grammy Awards and a Billboard Women in Music Award for Innovator. Elliott won the Black Women in Music award from Essence magazine in 2018 and was given the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Music Pioneer Award at the UN in 2019.

Urban One gave her the Music Innovation Award in 2020. Elliott was one of the first honorees into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in May 2021.

10. Elliott has been referred to as the “Queen of Rap”

Missy Elliot Main December 2015 photo by Atlantic Records –

Media publications have referred to Elliott as the “Queen of Rap,” “Queen of Hip Hop,” and the “First Lady of Hip Hop.” In the US, she has sold over 30 million records. According to Billboard in 2017, she is the best-selling female rapper in Nielsen Music history. She was named fifth on Billboard’s list of the 100 greatest music video artists of all time in 2020. She received recognition in 2021 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Elliott’s innovative ideas in her music videos redefined the parameters of what a hip-hop video’s current focus was. Since the beginning of her career, her portfolio of songs has contained themes of feminism, gender equality, body positivity, and sex positivity, making her one of the first hip-hop and R&B musicians to focus on these subjects.

11. Elliott is known for her unique style and eccentric music videos

Missy Elliott is known for her unique style and eccentric music videos, which often feature futuristic themes and elaborate choreography. Her music videos, such as “Get Ur Freak On” and “Work It”, are widely praised for their creativity and visual appeal. She often incorporates bold fashion choices and innovative graphics, pushing boundaries in the music industry.

12. She has collaborated with many top artists in the music industry

Missy Elliott has collaborated with many top artists in the music industry. Her collaborations with Beyoncé on the hit song “Ladies Night (Remix)” and with Janet Jackson on “Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)” have been particularly well-received. She’s also worked with Justin Timberlake on “Work It” and “Loose Control“, showcasing her versatility and ability to adapt to different styles.

13. Elliott was the first female rapper to achieve six platinum-certified studio albums

Missy Elliott was the first female rapper to achieve six platinum-certified studio albums. Her albums, such as “Supa Dupa Fly”, “Miss E… So Addictive”, and “Under Construction”, have received critical acclaim and commercial success. Her unique sound, which blends hip-hop, R&B, and electronic elements, has contributed to her enduring popularity.

14. Elliott has written and produced songs for other artists

Missy Elliott has not only been a successful artist herself but has also made significant contributions to other artists’ careers. She is a prolific songwriter and producer, having written and produced hits for artists like Aaliyah (“One in a Million“) and Ciara (“1, 2 Step“). Her creative input and distinct sound have helped shape the success of these songs and have further solidified her reputation as a talented and influential figure in the music industry.

15. She took a break from the music industry to focus on her health

Missy Elliott’s battle with Graves’ disease is a significant part of her story. In 2008, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, which affects the thyroid gland. As a result of her health struggles, she took a break from the music industry between 2005 and 2014. During this time, she focused on her treatment and prioritized her well-being. Her triumphant return in 2014 with the release of her single “WTF (Where They From)” marked a comeback for the artist and further demonstrated her resilience and determination. Her openness about her health journey has been inspiring to many fans and has helped raise awareness about Graves’ disease.

Missy Elliott’s career has been nothing short of iconic. With her unique style, undeniable talent, and groundbreaking contributions to the music industry, she has cemented her place as one of the greatest artists of our time. From her innovative production techniques to her empowering and socially conscious lyrics, Missy has not only entertained us but also challenged societal norms and paved the way for future generations of artists.

Her numerous accolades, chart-topping hits, and lasting impact on popular culture are a testament to her immense influence and lasting legacy. As we continue to celebrate Missy Elliott’s incredible career, it is clear that she is a true trailblazer and musical visionary who will forever be remembered and revered for her unparalleled contributions to the world of music.

Check out 15 of the best US rappers of all time.