Missy Elliott is starting off the year with a historic bang. The highly-decorated artist was officially inducted into the 2019 Songwriters Hall of Fame on Saturday (Jan. 12), becoming the third hip-hop artist (alongside JAY-Z and Jermaine Dupri) and first woman rapper to receive the distinction.
“I AM SO HUMBLY GRATEFUL & crying tears of Joy to bow be inducted also thank you God and I love all of you so much!” Elliott wrote on Instagram. “I will forever be HUMBLED & GRATEFUL.” One is eligible for nomination consideration “20 years after the first commercial release of a song.”
Elliott’s pen has helped to shape the rising and already established careers and sounds of artists within R&B and beyond. Aaliyah, Ciara, Jazmine Sullivan, Beyonce, Fantasia, Keyshia Cole, 702, Monica and many more have experienced hits written by the Supa Dupa Fly innovator.
While Elliott is being herald for her writing prowess, fans are also looking to celebrate her new release of music. In 2018, she teased videos and snapshots of herself in the studio, one recently with longtime collaborator Timbaland.
“For so long I was hesitant to put out music in fear no one would get it because people said music has changed & my sound been so different,” Elliott previously wrote, “but NOW IM LIKE hey bump it make music that feels good to me let me get y’all a**es dancing again.”