Missy Elliott, born Melissa Arnette Elliott was born on July 1,197. She’s an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She started her music career with the R&B group Sista in the 1990s before becoming a solo artist. Collaborating with Timbaland, she found success in writing and producing for other artists before releasing her debut album, Supa Dupa Fly, in 1997.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Melissa Arnette Elliott |
| Date Of Birth: | July 1, 1971 |
| Place Of Birth: | Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation(s): | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer |
| Labels: | The Goldmind Inc. Elektra, East West |
| Net Worth: | $50 Million |
Early Life And Education
Melissa Elliott was born in Virginia on July 1 1972 to a power company dispatcher Patricia and former Marine Ronnie Elliott.
She grew up in a church choir family and experienced hardships like domestic abuse and poverty. Despite the challenges, she found strength in her mother’s courage to leave her abusive father. She graduated from Manor High School in 1990.
Career
Missy Elliott started her music career with R&B group Sista in 1988 before teaming up with Timbaland and Magoo to collaborate with other artists. They found success working with acts like Aaliyah, SWV, and 702. In 1996, Elliott launched her own label, The Goldmind Inc., and released her platinum debut solo album, “Supa Dupa Fly,” in 1997, highlighted by the hit single “The Rain.” Known for making bold fashion statements, Elliott’s style became iconic in music videos like “The Rain.”
Missy Elliott rose to fame with her innovative music videos directed by Harold “Hype” Williams. Her album Supa Dupa Fly received critical acclaim, and she collaborated with artists like Lil’ Kim and TLC’s Left Eye. As a producer and writer, she worked with Total, Whitney Houston, and Spice Girl Mel B.
Her second album, Da Real World, was a darker but successful follow-up, featuring hit singles like “All n My Grill.” In 2001, she released Miss E… So Addictive, which debuted at number two in the US with popular songs like “One Minute Man.” Her collaboration with Tweet and feature on MTV Cribs added to her rising fame.
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Missy Elliott’s songwriting and production for Tweet’s “Oops (Oh My)” was a hit, and she co-produced the chart-topping cover of “Lady Marmalade” for the movie Moulin Rouge! featuring Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mýa, and Pink.
Missy Elliott and Timbaland’s album “Under Construction” was a huge hit, selling 2.1 million copies and winning a Grammy. The album produced hit singles like “Work It” and “Gossip Folks.” While on hiatus, Elliott worked on remixes for Madonna and collaborated on several projects.
She released her fifth album “This Is Not a Test!” in 2003, which performed well on urban charts. Elliott also appeared in a reality show and collaborated with Ciara on “1, 2 Step.” Throughout the late 90s and early 2000s, she was one of the top-selling female rappers in the US.
In 2005, Missy Elliott’s album “The Cookbook” debuted at number two on the U.S. charts and later went platinum in 2022. She received five Grammy nominations, with her hit single “Lose Control” winning Best Short Form Video. Another single, “We Run This,” was also well-received and nominated for a Grammy. Her career was celebrated at the 2007 VH1 Hip Hop Honors.
Missy Elliott’s seventh album faced delays but she released singles like “Ching-a-Ling” and “Shake Your Pom Pom” for movie soundtracks. She focused on songwriting and production work, collaborating with artists like Keyshia Cole and Jazmine Sullivan. Missy Elliott’s diverse musical talents led to collaborations with artists like Demi Lovato and J. Cole.
Missy Elliott was busy in 2013, collaborating on tracks with various artists, earning a Grammy nomination for “Without Me”. In 2015, her Super Bowl halftime show performance with Katy Perry boosted her digital music sales. She confirmed more collaborations with top producers for her upcoming album.
In 2016, she released the single “Pep Rally” and appeared with TLC on TV. She continued to make waves in 2017 with the release of “I’m Better” and collaborations with Skrillex and Ariana Grande. Missy hinted at a new album in 2019 and joined forces with Lizzo for the hit song “Tempo.”
In 2019, Missy Elliott made history by being the first female rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She released her EP “Iconology” which features a mix of pop, hip hop, and R&B sounds. The EP includes tracks like “Throw It Back,” “Cool Off,” “DripDemeanor,” and “Why I Still Love You,” which explore different musical styles. Critics have praised the EP for its variety and quality.
Missy Elliott’s music aims to uplift and inspire people to feel good and dance. She has released singles, collaborated with various artists, and announced her first headlining tour in 2024.
Personal Life
In 2008, Missy Elliott expressed her desire to have a family but admitted her fear of childbirth. She mentioned, “I’m not sure if I can handle that level of pain. Perhaps by 2020, there will be an easier way to have a baby. For now, I prefer the idea of adoption.”
In terms of her love life, Missy Elliott has been rumored to have been in multiple relationships, particularly with individuals of the same gender. However, she has never addressed these rumors. Currently, it is not widely known whether she is in a relationship or not, as she remains very discreet about that aspect of her life.
Missy Elliott Net Worth
Missy Elliott, a talented American artist known for her skills in rapping, singing, songwriting, and music production, has amassed a fortune worth $50 million.
Discography
Missy Elliott’s discography includes the following studio albums:
- Supa Dupa Fly (1997)
- Da Real World (1999)
- Miss E… So Addictive (2001)
- Under Construction (2002)
- This Is Not a Test! (2003)
- The Cookbook (2005)
- Block Party (2008)
- Iconology (2019)
These are her main studio album releases, and she also has numerous singles, collaborations, and additional projects throughout her career.