Missy Elliott FINALLY got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

The innovative Queen of Hip-Hop is finally receiving the recognition she deserves. Missy Elliott was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame this week with the shiny new 757th star on the Walk. She was joined by Lizzo, Ciara and her long-time manager Mona Scott-Young, who all presented touching speeches to further prove why Missy is deserving of this momentous accomplishment.

From the beginning of her career in the mid-'90s, Missy and long-time collaborator Timberland shaped a new hip-hop sound. Their producing style consisted of a futuristic electronic “Virginia Sound,” both instrumentally but vocally. Missy earned accolades and fans with hits such as, “Work It,” “Get Your Freak On” and “Lose Control” capturing the sound of the new millennium. 

“I only have one thing to say to Hollywood Boulevard… YOU’RE WELCOME,” Lizzo started off her touching speech in classic Lizzo fashion, laughing before getting emotional.

“I watched you my entire life and I saw a superstar in you, but I also saw myself, and I’ve never seen myself before.” The powerhouse artist finished off the sentiment with, “You live so boldly, so beautifully, so unapologetically, and so out loud. You have no idea what you have done for so many Black girls.” Many women would agree with Lizzo’s statement. 

“[Missy Elliott] paved the way for me and so many others who followed,” Ciara shared in her own induction speech. “There is no one like Missy. She oozes with boundless creativity; a visionary; the epitome of true artistry., strength, integrity, and grit. She created genre-blurring sounds of a modern hitmaker that continues to define space and time."

Not only has Missy been an innovator in music, she's one of the creative forces behind her own eye-catching music videos, that combined iconic beats and out-of-this-world visuals that are still inspiring musicians today. 

Missy paved the way for a new wave of female hip-hop artists to be seen as multi-faceted, and, as a performer producer, songwriter and entrepreneur, she paved the way for women, especially Black women, in a competitive and male-driven industry.

Missy’s business side is also admirable. She owns her own music label, Goldmind Inc., and obtained the publishing rights to her smash hits. She credits her mother, Puffy, Sylvia Rhone, Love and Hip-Hop creator Mona Scott, and Chris Lightly as mentors who inspired her to be not only a musician, but an entrepreneur in the music industry.

In 2011, Missy Elliott was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, which caused her to step back from the spotlight to focus on her health and well-being. While she has been living with the autoimmune disease, she's making sure it's not holding her back musically.

May we offer the 2015 Superbowl Halftime show with Katy Perry her 2019 VMA Video Vanguard performance as clear evidence? Missy continues to be a force to be reckoned with, only proving why that star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is long overdue.

But Missy remains humble, sharing on Twitter, “VA I love you #757 🙌🏾 And I know a lot of people say (Missy it’s ‘bout Time) but this was the right time (God’s Timing) & I am Grateful!” 

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