Photo: Manny Carabel/Getty Images
<p><a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/chloe-bailey-one-in-a-million-aaliyah-missy-elliott/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Missy Elliott</a> is speaking on the contributions that women have made to the rap game, and she people to know that these rappers&#8217; contributions helped pave the way for today&#8217;s female hip-hop stars.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Missy Says Women Who Paved The Way Deserve Their Flowers</h3>
<p>The Virginia-bred rapper spoke on the matter during a recent sit-down with <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kennethjwilliamsjr/2023/02/14/missy-elliott-pays-reverence-to-hip-hop-predecessors/?sh=413e5a293e93" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Forbes</em></a>, and Missy began by acknowledging how &#8220;women have played a big part in what we call hip-hop.&#8221; Additionally, she spoke on the fact that she and many trailblazing women have formed deep-rooted bonds with one another.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;Women have played a big part in what we call hip-hop in this culture. These women are my friends, and we don’t just come together when it’s time to perform. We speak on the phone and hang around each other.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>Elliott continued, noting that she continues to look up to these women. She also said that they ultimately &#8220;kicked down the doors for all the women you see today in 2023.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I always think about how these are the same women that I looked up to and still do. They have kicked down the doors for all the women you see today in 2023.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>As a result, she thinks <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/ten-female-rap-tracks-that-blessed-listeners-throughout-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">female rappers</a> today should recognize that—without the hard work of the women who came before them—the state of the rap game could be much different.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;Even if the women that are out now may not be familiar with all of their records, they have to know that these women are the reason they&#8217;re able to be on many of these platforms.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>In other words, Missy thinks more women in the rap game should do their homework and familiarize themselves with the contributions of those who helped pave the way!</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Missy Elliott Gives Her Mentors A Warm Shoutout</h3>
<p>During the same interview, Missy also spoke on how—because she had so much support from artists like Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Salt-N-Pepa, she aspired to &#8220;be a big sister to those coming [into the rap game].&#8221;</p>
<p>She also noted that having good, solid mentorship is a key component to getting through some of the &#8220;behind the scenes&#8221; hardships.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;A lot of times, it&#8217;s not as easy as it looks, and people only get a chance to see the glitz and glamour and don&#8217;t know what it&#8217;s like to go through things behind the scenes. So when you have that mentor, it&#8217;s everything, especially someone who has already been on that walk. It&#8217;s very important for me to be a big sister to those coming behind me because I had Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Salt-N-Pepa be that to me.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>She also straight-up acknowledged, &#8220;What made me say I want to be an emcee was Salt-N-Pepa.&#8221; Mary J. Blige was also given a shoutout for teaching her how to &#8220;be a go-getter,&#8221; and Missy paid homage to Diddy, too. So, because Missy had a plethora of artists to support and uplift her, she aspires to do the same for others.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s important for me to support this next generation because I also came in at a young age, and there’s nothing like having that support in someone. I had people like Mary J. Blige and Diddy tell me what to do and how to be a go-getter, a hustler, be consistent and be different, things you need in this industry.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>What do you think about Missy Elliott&#8217;s recent commentary?</p>
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