Missy Elliott celebrates her official day in Portsmouth after Governor Youngkin’s proclamation honoring her music legacy.

Missy Elliott made her triumphant return to Portsmouth Friday as Virginia formally celebrated the first-ever “Missy Elliott Day” in honor of the Hip-Hop legend’s contributions to music and leisure.

Governor Glenn Youngkin declared October 17 as Missy Elliott Day by an official proclamation highlighting “her legacy as one of the most influential figures in contemporary music and entertainment.”

The celebration marks three years since Portsmouth renamed McLean Street to Missy Elliott Boulevard in 2022.

The four-time Grammy Award winner was born in Portsmouth and raised within the Hodges Ferry group earlier than turning into considered one of Hip-Hop’s most revolutionary artists.

Elliott’s profession spans over twenty years with groundbreaking hits like “Work It,” “Get Ur Freak On” and “Lose Control” that revolutionized the style with their inventive manufacturing and memorable music movies.

Elliott has offered over 40 million information worldwide and have become the primary feminine rapper to obtain the MTV Video music Awards’ Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in 2019. She additionally earned an honorary Doctor of music diploma from Berklee College of music and acquired the National Medal of Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Portsmouth native beforehand donated $25,000 to her former highschool and has maintained robust ties to her hometown all through her profession. Her total discography consists of 5 studio albums and quite a few collaborations with artists like Aaliyah, Janet Jackson and Ciara.

Elliott’s affect extends past music as a producer and songwriter who helped form the sound of latest R&B and Hip-Hop. The celebration on Friday represents the town’s continued recognition of considered one of its most profitable exports.

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