Musical icon Missy Elliott is getting all the flowers while she can still smell them. The announcement just came that she will be receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2019 Video Music Awards (VMAs).
Elliott’s impact on the culture is indisputable. She has sold more than 30 million records worldwide. She is the only woman to have six studio albums go platinum and the first female hip hop artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Elliott is also a five time Grammy Award winner.
“Missy’s impact on the music landscape is indelible,” Bruce Gillmer, Viacom music talent head, told Variety. “Her creative vision across production, performance and songwriting is unmatched.” Elliott announced the award via Twitter saying “I am Humbly Grateful to be receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award…I am crying happy tears. Thank you God.”
I am Humbly Grateful to be receiving the MichaelJacksonVideoVanguard Award ❤️ I Thank my FANS “Supafriends” who fought diligently to see this day come @KidFury @crissles who rooted for years 4 me I am crying happy tears Thank you God @MTV @vmas am SO HUMBLED pic.twitter.com/udfhBNc78k
advertisement— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 12, 2019
Elliott joins the rank of icons who have received the prestigious award including Michael Jackson (1988), for whom the award was renamed in 1991, Janet Jackson (1990), LL Cool J (1997), Beyonce ( 2014), Kanye West (2015), and Rihanna (2016). The VMA’s will air August 26th on MTV. Elliott will be performing live at the show for the first time in 16 years.
Words cannot express our gratitude for this legend. Missy, you are appreciated.