Missy Elliott has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame, the primary girl rapper to earn the glory. Queen Latifah gave the introductory speech, underlining Elliott’s standing as a trailblazer. “You be at liberty? You need to strive some wild shit? Thank Missy.” After a video bundle that includes Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B, Elliott gave a career-spanning efficiency. Latifah gave an emphatic, loving speech about Elliott’s character, after which Elliott took the mic and gave an emotional speech thanking everybody who received her there. Learn her full speech under.

Elliott is considered one of a handful of hip-hop artists who’ve been inducted into the Rock Corridor, amongst them Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, Eminem, Public Enemy, and Jay-Z. This 12 months, DJ Kool Herc was additionally honored with the Musical Affect Award for his early contributions to hip-hop tradition. Kate Bush, Willie Nelson, Rage Towards the Machine, Sheryl Crow, George Michael, and the Spinners rounded out the remainder of 2023’s musician inductees.

Since her 2019 EP Iconology, Elliott has made visitor appearances on new materials by Dua Lipa, Teyana Taylor, Skrillex, and extra. In 2022, the rapper’s dwelling city of Portsmouth, Virginia renamed a avenue Missy Elliott Boulevard in honor of the star, a 12 months after she received a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame. On the Grammys in February, the place Elliott was given a International Affect Award, she joined Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes, Methodology Man, and lots of others in a sprawling efficiency to have fun the fiftieth anniversary of hip-hop.

To start with, I am not even gonna begin with out thanking God. I have been by means of so many ups and downs and I do know the place my items come from. God has introduced me all the way in which right here. He has allowed me to fulfill some unbelievable folks alongside the way in which. I’ve so many individuals. I’ve two tables of individuals. I can’t say all people. I see y’all. It’s like a household reunion. All of these folks at that desk have been part of my journey.

I’m nonetheless pinching myself to even be in a room with a few of the inductees. I see Taste Flav, who’s a legend. I really like you, all the time been supportive. Elton John, legendary. Sheryl Crow, Chaka Khan, Willie Nelson. All of those folks have impacted folks around the globe by means of their music. Typically I be like, do folks actually understand, like by means of music, what music do with folks? That is the one factor I believe we will all say that comes collectively is music. You already know, all of us love music in some kind, and all of these individuals who have already been up on the stage… I used to be simply listening to different folks’s tales and being like, wow, they’ve been round all of those years and simply getting inducted who I really feel been worthy to be up right here. And that’s why I’m nonetheless in shock as a result of they’ve so a few years on me.