African Celebrities: Missy Elliott

Melissa Arnette Elliott popularly known as Missy Elliott is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. She was born on July 1, 1971 in Portsmouth, Virginia. She is the only child of Patricia, a power-company coordinator and Ronnie, a U.S. Marine.

Her first major success came as a songwriter with childhood friend and producer Timbaland on projects for Aaliyah, Total, SWV, and 702.

In the late 1990s, Missy Elliott expanded her career as a solo artist and female rapper, eventually winning five Grammy Awards and selling over 30 million records in the United States.

Missy Elliott is the only female rapper to have six albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one double platinum for her 2002 album Under Construction.