Missy Elliott becomes first female rapper inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame

(Image credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame)

last updated 15 June 2019

Honoring some of the biggest names in music, the Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony took place on Thursday, praising artists like Cat Stevens, John Prine, Justin Timberlake and the night's most historic winner, Missy Elliott, per The Hollywood Reporter.

As the hip-hop star became the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Elliott was visibly emotional and couldn't hold back the tears. "I want to say one thing to the writers, to the upcoming writers," she said, after being introduced by Queen Latifah and Michelle Obama, "'Do not give up.' We all go through writer's block. Sometimes you just have to walk away from a record and come back to it. But don't give up because I'm standing here. And this is big for hip-hop, too," she shared as the audience erupted in cheers.

Elliott is just the third rapper to enter the Hall of Fame — following Jay-Z and Jermaine Dupri — and accepted the prize alongside other songwriting heavyweights such as Cat Stevens, Dallas Austin, Jack Tempchin and John Prine. Songwriters are only eligible for induction after writing hits for at least 20 years. Elliott has written her own songs, as well as songs for Aaliyah, Beyonce, Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey, and more.