Missy Elliott is the new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, as rap legend was unveiled on Monday, to add to her growing list of awards
By Kehinde Okeowo
American rapper, songwriter, and record producer, Melissa Arnette Elliott, better known by her stage name. “Missy Elliott”, has dedicated her new Hollywood Walk of Fame Award to the female MCs in hip hop.
The legendary rap artist joined the long list of winners of the prestigious musical award yesterday at Hollywood Boulevard and Vine St. Hollywood, Los Angeles.
During her emotional acceptance speech, the 50-year-old said she had always admired the award and was happy she finally got it, as she said:
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“I’ve come here 20-something years ago and just used to walk past all these stars. It’s just a blessing to dream big and it truly happened. I’m truly standing in front of everyone.”
“I kind of give that to my female MCs that are my sisters in hip-hop, everyone, I love each and everyone of y’all. The ones that are popping now, the ones that’s about to be popping,”
Missy Elliott also added.
“But I want to give a big, big shoutout to the godmothers of this, and that is 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 y’all that started before me, because y’all are the backs that we stand on. Y’all are the foundation. Y’all ran so we could walk, y’all stood up for something so we could sit comfortably, so I thank y’all for this moment”.
Rapper, LL Cool J, paid tribute to the newest Hollywood Walk of Fame inductee Missy Elliott saying: “I just wanted to say, representing the men out there in the game, we love you, we respect you, we appreciate you
Lizzo too had this to say about her latest award: “You are the brightest star in the universe. I watched you my entire life and I saw a superstar in you, but I also saw myself… You live so boldly and so beautifully
“We define music genres such as R&B, hip-hop and pop. And then there’s the genre of Missy.”
Ciara was very brief in her congratulatory message as she has this to say: “There is only one Missy.”
Ciara, Lizzo, LL Cool J and Mona Scott-Young were some of the American celebrities who graced the celebration of the newest member of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The musical trailblazer and video pioneer Missy Elliott started her music career with R&B girl group Sista in the early-mid 1990s.
She later became a member of the Swing Mob collective along with childhood friend and longtime collaborator Timbaland, with whom she worked on projects for American R&B acts Aaliyah, 702, Total, and SWV.
Following several collaborations and guest appearances, she launched her solo career in 1997 with her debut album Supa Dupa Fly, which spawned the top 20 single “Sock It 2 Me”.
The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, the highest charting debut for a female rapper.
