NEW YORK: Missy Elliott knew she was being honored by Essence — but not who was giving her the accolade. So there was plenty of emotion when close friend Janet Jackson not only handed her her trophy but praised her talent.
Jackson was one of many stars who turned up to pay tribute to the singer, songwriter, rapper and producer.
“Some rhyme, some rap; some act, some choreograph; some write hit songs; some create whole new sounds. Some women are able to make her mark in some of these fields; but there’s only one woman who has made her mark in all of these fields,” Jackson told a packed crowd recently.
“Not only have you made your mark, but she’s done so with boldness and courage.”
Elliott — whose hits include “Work It” “Get Ur Freak On” and “One Minute Man” — began to cry during Jackson’s tribute. The two shared a long embrace when Elliott went on stage for her “Visionary” award from Essence at the magazine’s annual pre-Grammy event celebrating black women artists.
“That was a surprise,” an overwhelmed and teary Elliott said.
“I’ve known Janet over a decade and this is not just ... someone I do music with. I can call Janet any time of night ... and she will listen,” she said. “The times that I may have felt like giving up, she’s always gave me an encouraging word.”
Elliott noted that some in the industry did not think she could be successful — at times because she was a woman and a producer, at others because she did not look like what was seen as traditionally beautiful.
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