Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott
Elliott in 2015
Background information
Birth name	Melissa Arnette Elliott
Also known as	Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
Born	(1971-07-01) July 1, 1971 (age 45) Portsmouth, Virginia, US
Genres	Hip hop R&B
Occupation(s)	Rapper singer songwriter dancer record producer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1989–present
Labels	The Gold Mind East West Elektra Atlantic
Associated acts	Janet Jackson Jodeci Timbaland Magoo Aaliyah 702 Total Ginuwine Lil' Kim Tweet Da Brat Ciara Keyshia Cole Busta Rhymes Mýa Fantasia Barrino Nelly Furtado Sista Swing Mob Monica Jay-Z G Dragon A$AP Ferg TLC Fall Out Boy Pharrell Williams
Website	missy-elliott.com

Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott (born July 1, 1971), often known professionally as Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, is an American rapper, dancer, and record producer. Elliott embarked on her music career with all-female R&B group Sista in the early 1990s and later became a member of the Swing Mob collective along with childhood friend and longtime collaborator Timbaland, with whom she worked on projects for Aaliyah, 702, Total, and SWV. Following several collaborations and guest appearances, she launched her solo career in 1997 with her debut album Supa Dupa Fly, which spawned the hit singles "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" and "Sock It 2 Me". The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, the highest-charting debut for a female rapper at the time.

Elliott's following album Da Real World (1999), produced the singles "She's a Bitch", "All n My Grill", and top five hit "Hot Boyz". With the release of Miss E... So Addictive (2001), Under Construction (2002), and This Is Not a Test! (2003) Elliott established an international career that yielded hits including "Get Ur Freak On", "One Minute Man", "4 My People", "Gossip Folks", and "Work It". The latter won her a Grammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance; Elliott went on to win five Grammy Awards and sell over 30 million records in the United States.