Spotlight: When Missy Elliott Became The Biggest Selling Female Rapper
When rapper Missy Elliott takes the stage, she doesn’t come out in a cookie-cutter, tight dress, she comes out as Missy, marching to the beat of her own drum.
She’s the definition of talent, strength, and confidence as she’s pushed the boundaries of rap and hip-hop unlike no other artist in the genre for more than two decades.
If you listen to some of her classic hits, such as “Work It“, “Get Ur Freak On” and “Lose Control“, you’ll find yourself on the dance floor moving your body in ways you never thought you could. Her songs do a superb job of uniquely combining old school rap and funk.
According to billboard.com, Elliott has sold 7.6 million albums in the United States to date. She reigns as the best-selling female rap album artist in Neilsen Music history. The report also states that she has sold over 2 million copies of her album, “Under Construction“, that was released in 2002.
Missy Elliott’s career truly kicked off when Elektra Entertainment Group gave her the chance to form her own label, Goldmind. Thanks to EEG, the five-time Grammy-Award winning rapper released her debut album, Supa Dupa Fly, in 1997, biography.com reports.
This queen of rap continued to release albums and reach milestones in her music career until she got sick in 2008 with an autoimmune disease that left her at home and out of the spotlight for years to come, according to biography.com. But never fear, Missy is back in the game and shining like never before with popular hits like “WTF” (Where They From) and “I’m Better” feat. Lamb.
We all know this superstar is original as they come, influencing rappers of today, like Nicki Minaj. Missy Elliott is not only a singer, songwriter, and dancer, she also has full control over her music, videos, and productions, biography.com also reports. There’s nothing typical about this rapper. She’s a positive role model who works hard to achieve her goals.
And bonus! Missy Elliott has had the opportunity to work with the notorious Jay-Z, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Madonna and Janet Jackson, the report says. Or let us rephrase that. They’ve had the luxury to work with her!
It’s clear we’d be next in line for another Missy Elliott show! Would you? What Missy Elliott tune gives you that dance itch?
Sarah Francis is a half-Palestinian journalism junkie, a proud Charlotte, NC native with an oversized sweet tooth, and an active world traveler. Ask her where she’s headed next. (@Sarah_Francis25)
