There are 379 icons in the coveted Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and, as of 2023, only one of them is a female rapper: Missy Elliott.

Six months after making headlines for being included in the class of prospective inductees that also included legends like George Michael, Chaka Khan, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, and others, the GRAMMY-winning rapper-singer-producer (born Melissa Elliott) took to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center in New York City on Friday (November 3) to officially accept the honor.

Look inside to see photos and video clips from her touching acceptance speech.

“Trust me, nothing sounded the same after @MissyElliott came on the scene…everything changed. The bass lines changed, the pockets changed, the cadence, the writing. And that’s because Missy has always been a futurist, someone who’s always looking ahead.” – @IAMQUEENLATIFAH pic.twitter.com/728DT2H9DK

— Rock Hall (@rockhall) November 4, 2023

One of 13 on hand to be inducted into the hallowed musical halls, Missy was presented the award by fellow female Rap icon Queen Latifah and thanked a handful of people for her historic success – especially her mother and longtime musical collaborator Timbaland.

 “I have to thank my mother who is here. My mother has never seen me perform in my whole entire career. But lemme tell you, wait, it’s not my mother fault. I most definitely didn’t wanna be saying she’s a b-tch, no minute man, p don’t fail me now, all of these records,” she said before turning her attention to Tim, “And Timbaland, I love you. We started this in high school. I am proud of you. I see you, you are legendary.”

Later in the ceremony Missy rocked the crowd with a slew of her greatest hits including ‘The Rain,’ ‘Work It,’ ‘Get Ur Freak On,’ and more.

 

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ABC will air a prime-time special, ‘2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony,’ featuring performance highlights and more on January 1.

[photo credit: Derek Blanks]

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