At 53, Singer-Rapper Missy Elliott Announces First-Ever Tour; Here's Why

Missy Elliott's first-ever headlining tour was kicked off in Los Angeles earlier this month and was ''Out of this world'' in all senses of the phrase. The 53-year-old rapper and R&B legend will be touring the United States for the next few months. Though she is a big-league artist, having worked with several high-profile musicians as well as winning four Grammy Awards and several MTV Video Music Awards, little is known by the public about her career and music.

Ironically, the tour coincides with the 25th anniversary of Elliott’s sophomore album, Da Real World, which included hit singles “She’s a Bitch”, “All n My Grill”, and “Hot Boyz.”

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Her career

She broke into the music scene in the mid-1990s and quickly became known for her innovative style and genre-blending sound. Missy’s debut album, Supa Dupa Fly (1997), was a massive hit, featuring the iconic single "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)." This album set the stage for her future success and established her as a force in the industry.

In 2023, she made history by becoming the only female rapper to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, earlier also being the first female hip hop artist to be admitted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In addition to this, Missy Elliott has won four Grammy Awards. Her wins span across various categories, showcasing her versatility. Notably, she won Best Female Rap Solo Performance for "Work It" and Best Short Form Music Video for "Lose Control."
In addition to this, she also won six BET Awards and the Billboard Women in Music Innovator award. She also won an NAACP award and was given the MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in 2019.

Beyond her hits, Missy has written and produced songs for numerous artists, including Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, and Whitney Houston. Her behind-the-scenes work has significantly shaped the sound of contemporary R&B and hip-hop. Her support towards fellow female artists such as Ciara and Lil Kim has paved the way for a more inclusive future in the practically male-dominated hip-hop scene.

Missy Elliott has been often dubbed as a ''trailblazer'' for women in hip-hop. Her bold style, both musically and visually, challenged norms and opened doors for future generations of female artists.

She has performed many shows such as the Super Bowl halftime show and kicked off her first tour, ''Out of this World'' earlier this month, in Los Angeles. She played the first show alongside fellow hip-hop artist Ciara.