It should go without saying that Missy Elliott is a legend. Starting with her 1997 debut Supa Dupa Fly, Missy released a string of massively successful, genre-bending albums. The longtime Timbaland collaborator has won Grammys, topped the Billboard charts with imaginative hits, and was instrumental in the careers of other stars like Aaliyah and Ginuwine. The woman is an institution.
Her last album, The Cookbook, came out nine years ago, and it feels like Missy has begun to slip out of the minds of some. With yesterday being her 43rd birthday, and her appearing onstage with fellow Virginian Pharrell at this year's BET Awards, we thought it fitting to dig up some little-known facts about one of hip-hop’s most influential figures. Here are 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Missy Elliott.
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When she was younger, Missy Elliott wrote letters to Michael and Janet Jackson begging them to rescue her from an abusive and impoverished life. Years later she would work with Janet.
Missy Elliott had an above average IQ as a kid and, as a result, skipped two grades in school. However, she didn't like this, and flunked every class on purpose until she returned to her normal grade.
Missy Elliott faced rejection early in her career because she was considered "too fat" to be successful in the music business.
Missy Elliott and Timbaland first recorded together when Missy was part of girl group Sista. Although the group didn't last, her partnership with Timbaland did.
Missy Elliott wrote songs for Jodeci during the early days of Swing Mob, and was eventually granted her own Goldmind label under their Elektra imprint.
Missy Elliott recorded her debut album Supa Dupa Fly in just two weeks.
A Virginia man was sentenced to three years in jail after stealing and crashing Missy's Lamborghini Diablo in 2001.
Yelawolf appeared on Missy Elliott's short-lived UPN reality show The Road to Stardom with Missy Elliott in 2005.
Missy Elliott's clothing line, Respect M.E., was pulled from Danish stores in 2005 because the logo appeared too similar to that of Danish Queen Margrethe II.
Missy Elliott is the only female rapper in history with five platinum albums.
