Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott has been ahead of her time since she burst onto the scene with her strange, futuristic music video for her single, “The Rain.” Her debut album, Supa Dupa Fly, not only showcased her skills as an artist but solidified the magnetic, money-making, innovative partnership between her and mega-producer Timbaland. The 48-year-old is currently grinding in the studio, working on her highly-anticipated seventh studio album, and Elliot sat down with Marie Claire to reflect on her legacy and how she’s managed to continue creating hits for over two decades.
Recently, Elliott was bestowed an honorary doctorate by Berklee College of Music. It’s yet another honor to add to her list of accolades that includes five Grammys, six BET Awards, two American Music Awards, four ASCAP Pop Music Awards, seven MTV Video Music Awards, 15 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards, and three Soul Train Awards…and that’s not nearly the complete list. “I was just going, going, going,” she told Marie Claire about working on one thing after another. “It wasn’t resonating what was happening. After I did the Super Bowl [in 2015], my friends called me and they are like, ‘So, what you about to do?’ I’m here mopping my floor, and I got to wash the dogs. And they are like, ‘What? You just finished doing the Super Bowl.’”