Missy Elliott's Influence on Today's Hip-Hop Artists

Missy Elliott is one of the OGs in the world of hip-hop. Her beats and rhymes are the GPS for a whole generation of artists. She has this chill way with music, and her style says, "I'm doing me, no apologies." She gets wild with creativity and always has. She basically graffiti-ed her name all over hip-hop, and everybody vibes with it. Missy’s sound has influenced artists who consider her their muse.

There is no denying Missy Elliott of her legendary hip-hop status. After all, she has influenced the hip-hop genre's evolution in a big way. Her out-of-the-box production style with unconventional beats and innovative sound effects reshaped the hip-hop sound.

To boot, Missy has some undeniable lyrical skills. Her creative approach is nothing like you could imagine beforehand. Unsurprisingly, a new wave of artists credits her as their inspiration. Since Missy made her entrance in the '90s, she has continued redefining the rules in the hip-hop world with a force that cannot be denied.

Missy Elliott's impact goes beyond the studio. Her unapologetic style has empowered a new wave of artists to embrace their uniqueness. Missy embraced her individuality without fear and became a role model for those who felt marginalized in the industry. Check out five artists who credit her with influencing them.

• Rico Nasty: Known for her bold and eclectic rap style, blending elements of punk rock, trap, and hip-hop, Rico Nasty creates a sound that is tough to put into a category. · She attributes much of her confidence to Missy Elliott's influence: "Missy showed me that you don't have to fit into a box. You can be yourself and still dominate the game."

• Denzel Curry: A rapper known for his intense delivery, Denzel Curry explores social issues, mental health, and personal struggles in his music with tracks like "Ultimate" and "Clout Cobain." He says, "Missy made me realize that there are no limits in hip-hop. You can rap about anything, experiment with any sound, and as long as it's authentic, it works."

• Tierra Whack: Rapper/singer Tierra Whack gained acclaim for her innovative approach with her first album, "Whack World,” which was 15 one-minute tracks with videos. She says, "Missy's music videos were like a visual feast. The creativity, the imagination—she set the bar high. Watching her videos made me want to create visually stunning content that goes beyond the expected."

These artists each give Missy props for shaping how they see hip-hop. Some talk about how she innovates the way she produces music and her in-your-face style. No matter what, Missy's influence continues to show in the work of contemporary musicians, which encourages them to explore new dimensions within hip-hop.

Missy Elliott's influence in the hip-hop space reaches far past her own era. And it is something special to see how it clicks with a new generation of artists. Missy inspires like a role model should. She pushes other artists to break down boundaries, and her impact is certainly woven into the fabric of modern hip-hop. As the genre continues to evolve, the echoes of Missy's legacy will undoubtedly reverberate through the beats and rhymes of the future.