Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott, also known as Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, is a Grammy Award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter, producer and actress. She has released several platinum albums while writing and producing hits for the likes of Aaliyah, 702, SWV, Total, Monica and Fantasia among others. She is also known for her creative music videos that took the visuals to the next level. Born Melissa Arnette Elliott in Portsmouth, Virginia on July 1, 1971, Missy began making music in 1991 with an all-female group called Fayze. They met a rapper named Melvin “Magoo” Barcliff, who connected them with producer Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley and the group recruited Tim to produce for them. Their tracks caught the attention of DeVante Swing, the main producer and songwriter of the R&B group Jodeci. He renamed Missy’s group from Fayze to Sista and also gave Timbaland his name as he made them a part of his Swing Mob (a.k.a. Da Bassment Crew), which also included singers Ginuwine, Tweet, and the group Playa. Sista released the song “Brand New” in 1993 and Missy appeared on Raven-Symoné’s single “That’s What Little Girls Are Made Of” the same year. Missy and Timbaland contributed to Jodeci’s second album, Diar…