(Photo Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Missy Elliott came onto the scene in the mid-1990’s and immediately became one of the most iconic artists of the generation with her creative videos, while writing and performing hit after hit.
She didn’t only write music for herself though. For over 20 years, Elliott has helped pen some of the biggest hits for some of your favorite artists careers including Aaliyah, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, SWV, 702, Tweet, and many more!
Yesterday (Jun 13), Elliott became the third hip hop artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, joining Jay-Z and Jermaine Dupri.
Queen Latifah introduced the multi-talented artist before a special message from former First Lady Michelle Obama was played on the screen. Elliott then took the podium to accept her honor in tears.
“Every time I come up to a podium,” she began. “Even with all the work that I’ve done, I don’t know, and I’m assuming it’s just God, I don’t know why I am here, I want to say one thing to the writers, to the upcoming writers, ‘Do not give up.’ We all go through writer’s block. Sometimes you just have to walk away from a record and come back to it. But don’t give up because I’m standing here. And this is big for hip-hop, too.”
British singer Cat Stevens and country-folk icon John Prine were also inducted at the ceremony.
Congrats Missy!