MUSIC

Missy Elliott Set to Be the First Female Rapper in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Hip-hop pioneer Missy Elliott is making history as she will be the woman in rap inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Atlantic Records

Hip-hop pioneer Missy Elliott is making history as she will be the woman in rap inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Earlier this year, Missy Elliott appeared on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s list of nominees for the 2023 induction. After voting closed late last month, seven artists are chosen to join the Rock Hall. Elliott is one of them, making her the first woman in rap inductee. This is a landmark change both for the Rock Hall and in Elliott’s career.

This induction follows Elliott’s first time even appearing as a nominee for the Hall of Fame. To be eligible, an artist has to have released their first track(s) at least 25 years prior to nomination. Elliott passed this minimum just a few years ago, with her first album, Supa Dupa Fly, coming out in 1997.

In her decades as an artist, Missy Elliott has established herself and shown her talent. She constantly overcomes obstacles to success in an industry that prioritizes spotlighting male, white creatives. In doing so, Elliott breaks records, makes history, and is changing the music world.

With over 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify, the love for Missy Elliott and her music isn’t going anywhere. The latest of her six albums, The Cookbook, was released in 2005, but Elliott stays active, releasing singles and EPs. Her most recent single, in collaboration with Skrillex and Mr. Oizo, “RATATA,” was released this year. It already surpassed 20 million Spotify streams.

The official date and venue for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction has yet to be announced but is set to take place this fall. In the meantime, people are celebrating Elliott’s accomplishment and applauding the hard work that got her here. She is truly an inspiration for artists and non-artists alike. Fans are incredibly proud of Elliott and her new milestone.

Listen to Missy Elliott’s discography, and enjoy her top tracks below.