Missy Elliott becomes first hip hop artist broadcasted into space
'The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)' was transmitted 254 million kilometres at light speed to reach Venus
NASA has made Missy Elliott’s 'The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)' an out-of-this-world hit by broadcasting it into space.
The debut 1997 single from Elliott has made history by becoming the first hip hop track to be transmitted into space, travelling 254 million kilometres at light speed towards Venus — the artist’s favourite planet, according to NASA.
Broadcasted by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, the track was sent out at 10:05 AM (PDT) on July 12 and reached the planet in just 14 minutes.
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'The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)' was able to travel so far due to the technology of the Deep Space Station 13 (DSS-13) radio dish antenna which coincidentally is nicknamed Venus.
“My song ‘The Rain’ has officially been transmitted all the way to Venus, the planet that symbolizes strength, beauty and empowerment,” Missy Elliott posted on Twitter.
She added: “The sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning.”
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Speaking with NASA, the artist shared: “I still can’t believe I’m going out of this world with NASA through the Deep Space Network when ‘The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)’ becomes the first ever hip-hop song to transmit to space!”
“I am so humbled to have the opportunity to share my art and my message with the universe!”
This is the second time NASA has transmitted a song into outer space after sending The Beatles' 'Across the Universe' to the North Star in 2008.
Last year, Elliott was named the first female rap artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in honour of her career.
On top of this, in 2019, Elliott was the first ever female hip hop artist to make the Songwriters Hall of Fame and in 2021 was honoured on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame with a star. What's next for the hip hop star?
Listen to Missy Elliott’s ‘The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)’ below.
Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Multimedia Editor, follow her on Twitter