Missy Elliott stole the spotlight at the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, making history as the first woman rapper to join the illustrious ranks of the rock hall.
Her electrifying performance brought the event to a thrilling conclusion, featuring a medley of her iconic hits, including “Get Ur Freak On,” “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” “Work It,” “Pass That Dutch,” and “Lose Control.”
The legendary Queen Latifah, who hailed Elliott as a trailblazer effortlessly ahead of her time, had the honor of presenting Missy with the well-deserved accolade. Missy, adorned in a radiant golden sweatsuit and a bucket hat, accepted the recognition with grace.
Queen Latifah reminisced:
“Trust me, nothing sounded the same after Missy Elliott came on the scene. Nothing. All the kick snares, 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.”
Missy Elliott herself became emotional as she reflected on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, humbly admitting her disbelief at sharing a room with this year’s fellow inductees.
During her speech, the iconic rapper shared a touching revelation – her mother had never witnessed her perform live until this ceremony. Missy Elliott explained, “I never wanted my mother to come to a show to hear me curse because she goes to church.”
In addition to Missy Elliott, this year’s list of inductees featured a star-studded lineup, including rock luminary Sheryl Crow, country legend Willie Nelson, avant-garde artist Kate Bush, the late pop sensation George Michael, funk-metal masters Rage Against the Machine, vocal group icons the Spinners, renowned songwriter Bernie Taupin (famous for his collaboration with Elton John), and many more.
For the first time, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony was streamed live, offering viewers the opportunity to watch on-demand or through Disney+. Additionally, the live audio stream was accessible via Apple Music 1. A two-hour prime-time special, showcasing highlights and performances from the induction, will air on ABC on January 1, with streaming options available on Hulu and Disney+ starting on January 2.
