Missy Elliott, born Melissa Arnette Elliott on July 1, 1971, in Portsmouth, Virginia, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She is often nicknamed "Misdemeanor."

Missy Elliott began her musical career as a member of the R&B girl group Sista during the 1990s. The group was part of the larger musical collective Swing Mob, led by DeVante Swing of Jodeci. Despite the group's commercial struggles, her talent shone through, and she collaborated with Timbaland to work in songwriting and production for other acts, yielding successful releases for artists like Aaliyah and SWV.

Missy Elliott re-emerged as a solo artist in 1996 and released her debut studio album, Supa Dupa Fly, in 1997. The album was a critical and commercial success, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200.

Her second album, Da Real World, produced hit singles like "She's a Bitch" and "Hot Boyz." Missy Elliott's third and fourth albums, Miss E... So Addictive and Under Construction, earned her Grammy Awards for Best Female Rap Solo Performance.

Her fifth album, This Is Not a Test!, was followed by The Cookbook, which included the hit single "Lose Control." After a long hiatus, she released her extended play, Iconology, in 2019. Missy Elliott has received numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards, and her discography has sold 40 million records worldwide, making her the best-selling female rapper in Nielsen Music history.

Missy Elliott was born to Patricia, a power company dispatcher, and Ronnie Elliott, a former Marine. She grew up in an active church choir family, where singing was a regular part of her youth. D

espite facing challenges, including witnessing her mother's alleged physical abuse, Missy Elliott found solace in music. She has often spoken about how music was her outlet and how she dreamed of rescuing her mother from their difficult situation. Missy Elliott is not married and has no children. She is openly bisexual and has been in a few high-profile relationships.

Throughout her career, Missy Elliott has released numerous hit songs, including "Get Ur Freak On," "Work It," "One Minute Man," "She's a Bitch," and "Lose Control." Her innovative style and ability to transcend hip-hop's ideas about women have earned her five platinum albums in a row and numerous honors.

Her influence extends beyond her music, as she has inspired and collaborated with many artists, including Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Beyoncé. Her contributions to the music industry have been recognized with several awards, including four Grammy Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards, and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.