by: Jasmine Minnee 

MTV announced that music legend Missy Elliott will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2019 Video Music Awards. Long overdue and well deserved, Missy will be the first female rapper to be awarded this great achievement. The Virginia superstar will also perform live as she returns to the VMA stage for the first time since 2003.

 

This amazing accolade comes after the Virginia native rapper was inducted into the 2019 Songwriters Hall Of Fame as the first female rapper to receive this award. The five-time GRAMMY® Award winner has achieved unprecedented success.  With a legacy that spans over three decades, not only is she one of the most influential women in Hip Hop but one of the most respected and influential artists overall. Over the years, she has shown up and shown out with her songwriting skills, record-breaking hits, and the ability to elevate other musical artists from a variety of genres. 

 

 

Bruce Gillmer, Head of Music and Music Talent at Viacom and Co-Brand Head, MTV International spoke on Missy’s ground-breaking accomplishment. 

 

“Missy’s impact on the music landscape is indelible…Her creative vision across production, performance and songwriting is unmatched.”

 

Elliott is multi-talented and is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry across the board, both male and female. Throughout her musical career, she has globally transferred the music scene as an innovative solo superstar, pioneering producer, songwriter, singer, rapper and cultural icon. Selling over 30 million records worldwide with fan favorites such as, “Work It,” “Get Ur Freak On” and “WTF (Where They From),” Elliott leads the field of modernization, creativity, and influence on other artists. She also recently teamed up with Lizzo for the excellent single “Tempo.” 

 

 

Earlier this year, Missy delivered an uplifting commencement speech as she received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music. As the only female rapper to have six studio albums certified platinum, including her debut 1997 album “Supa Dupa Fly,” and 2002 blockbuster “Under Construction,” this kind of recognition from music’s leading global media brand in 180 countries, is well deserved. Missy will be joining the reputable list of past Vanguard recipients, including Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Guns N’ Roses, Britney Spears, Kanye West, Rihanna, and P!nk. 

 

The award is officially titled the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, but it was recently rumored that MTV was considering renaming the award. Although MTV hasn’t officially confirmed whether or not they would be removing Jackson’s name from the award in light of the Leaving Neverland documentary, MTV’s video announcing Elliott’s award simply calls the prize the “Video Vanguard.” Missy took to social media to share her excitement about receiving VMAs’ highest honor. 

 

 

 

 

Music’s biggest stars and fans will celebrate the year’s most iconic videos with electrifying performances and viral moments for the first time ever in Newark, NJ on Monday, August 26, 2019 at the Prudential Center. Hosting live from the VMA stage this year is none other than, comedian, actor and best-selling author Sebastian Maniscalco.

 

As Missy is being awarded for her most iconic, groundbreaking, and hottest visuals, which music video was your favorite?