Missy Elliott awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame
“I kind of give this to my female MCs in hip hop, to my sisters in hip hop”
Virginia’s rap legend Missy Elliott has been honoured on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame with a new star, unveiled on Monday, November 8.
The notorious spot dedicated to the biggest names of the past century has now added a new star, which Missy Elliott responded to in an emotional speech during its unveiling ceremony.
“It’s just a blessing to dream big and it truly happened. I’m truly standing here,” she said. “I’ve come here 20-something years ago and just used to walk past all these stars and just imagine.”
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Missy accepted the honour outside Amoeba Records on Hollywood Boulevard, where fans cheered her name and crowded around the acclaimed rapper.
Crying tears of joy, Missy says: “I want to thank God, first of all”. She adds, “I kind of give this to my female MCs in hip hop, to my sisters in hip hop. I wanna say I love each and every one of y’all. The ones that are popping now, the ones that are about to be popping.”
The rapper honoured her mother during her acceptance speech, “who has been the backbone to everything you see standing here,” she says.
Missy also praised her manager, Mona Scott-Young, who’s represented the rapper for over a quarter of a century. Ciara, who is also managed by Scott-Young, paid homage to Missy during the ceremony.
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“She paved the way for me and so many others who followed. There is no one like Missy. She oozes with boundless creativity, a visionary, the epitome of true artistry,” she said.
The singer went on to add, “she created genre-blurring sounds of a modern hitmaker that continues to define space and time."
Lizzo also stepped on stage shortly after to honour Missy, stating: “You lived so boldly and so beautifully and so unapologetically, so out loud. You have no idea what you have done for so many Black girls.”
Watch Missy Elliot's acceptance speech below.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter