Missy Elliott has graced the cover of the July/August Music Issue of ESSENCE Magazine. This milestone comes as the hip-hop legend became the first female rapper inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and is celebrated for her contributions to Black music and the ongoing 50th Anniversary of hip-hop.
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture™, presented by Coca-Cola®, will feature Missy Elliott as one of the headliners. While the specific festival location is not mentioned in the provided press release, the ESSENCE Festival is scheduled in New Orleans, Louisiana, from June 29th, 2023, to July 3rd, 2023.
The 2023 ESSENCE Music Issue, featuring the Supa Dupa Fly artist, will be available on newsstands starting Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
ESSENCE Magazine, owned by Essence Communications, Inc., is a media, technology, and commerce company focused on uplifting Black women and communities. They aim to inspire a global audience through diverse storytelling and immersive original content rooted in Culture, Equity, and Celebration.
The feature on Missy Elliott highlights her impact as a musician and showcases her as an individual of character beyond her music.
Missy’s Many Accolades
In addition to the cover, Missy has received numerous accolades and recognition in recent years. Her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia, honored her by naming a street after her in October of the previous year.
She also received an honorary doctorate from Norfolk State University, an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).
Furthermore, the “Gossip Folks” artist and notable rappers Lil Wayne and Dr. Dre were honored at the Black Music Collective in early 2023 for their significant contributions to the music industry. Additionally, on November 23, 2023, Missy Elliott is set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, making her the first black female rapper to receive this prestigious honor.
Jermaine Dupri To Be Honored At The 2023 ESSENCE Festival
In a related note, Jermaine Dupri, another prominent figure in the music industry, will also receive recognition at the Essence Festival. The festival, which overlaps with Missy Elliott’s performance, will pay tribute to Dupri’s label, So So Def, on its 30th Anniversary.