Missy Elliot has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, making her the first female Hip-Hop artist to achieve the feat. She was voted into the hall together with other honorees selected by the Hall of Fame committee.
Other inductees include the legendary soul group, The Spinners; celebrated singer, Chaka Khan; hip-hop originator, DJ Kool Herc; and pioneering ‘Soul Train host, Don Cornelius; according to Variety. More inductees include Willie Nelson, Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine, Sheryl Crow, George Michael, producer Al Kooper, songwriter Bernie Taupin, and rock guitarist Link Wray.
Elliott is being honored with The Spinners in the performer category. DJ Kool Herc, on the other hand, is being honored in the musical influence category, while Chaka Khan earned her induction in the musical excellence category.
“This year’s incredible group of Inductees reflects the diverse artists and sounds that define rock & roll,” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Chairman, John Sykes noted.
According to Variety, the honorees will be celebrated in an induction ceremony and concert in November later this year. The historic induction of Elliott was made known in February, according to Variety.
“I want to say this is HUGE, not for just me but all my sisters in Hip Hop. This door is now OPEN to showcase the hard work & what many of us contribute to MUSIC. I have cried all morning because I am GRATEFUl,” Elliott posted to social media.
This is not the first time Missy Elliott is being honored. The five-time Grammy Award winner and two-time honorary doctorate recipient was the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the first female rapper to receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2019 VMAs, according to Because of Them We Can.
Elliott has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and holds the title of the best-selling female rapper in Nielsen Music History.