Credit: Spotify

Missy Elliott is one of the most influential rappers ever, serving as a trailblazer for all female rappers who came after her. Often referred to as the Queen of Rap, the Virginia rapper is responsible for iconic albums such as Supa Dupa Fly, Da Real World, Miss E… So Addictive, and Under Construction, released in the late 1990s and early ’00s.

With that said, any rapper would be thrilled to receive praise from Elliott. In 2022, she gave Lizzo the ultimate compliment, claiming she would be “legendary” despite only making music for a decade. The pair collaborated on the song ‘Tempo‘ off Lizzo’s 2019 album Cuz I Love You, racking up over 186 million Spotify streams.

Elliott recalled meeting her for the first time to celebrate Lizzo being named one of EW‘s 2022 Entertainers of the Year. “I still remember the first time I met Lizzo in the studio,” she said. “Instantly, I knew she was amazing. She walked in, heard the music, and just went right into the booth and started rhyming and singing — she was just wilding. That was so like me when I first got into the music business. I actually told her, ‘You remind me so much of myself.’ I immediately connected with her.”

She added, “What I really appreciate about Lizzo is that she is so diverse. There are so many levels to her. When she’s in the studio, she knows how to go into these different characters, she knows how to be heard, she knows how to sing, dance, rap, and it’s all amazing.”

The ‘Work It’ rapper went on to commend Lizzo for wearing her heart on her sleeve and the way she generally carries herself as an artist. She was impressed by how she handled her fast rise to fame, remaining humble and authentic to who she is.

“I think we can always say someone is talented, but Lizzo is someone with feelings, a sweetheart,” she said. “Like me, she’s sturdy, but we’re mush inside — and she’s humble, and just so welcoming of other artists. I believe humility will take you very far. When I went to her show, I was like, ‘Wow. It seemed like just yesterday we were in the studio just cutting up, climbing, and now I’m sitting in here and she’s selling out arenas but is still so humble.’ And that’s not easy to do.”

She continued, “You should be, but a lot of people aren’t when they get to that level. I love that about her. And she’s just regular. She’s like the girl up the street. I think that’s why a lot of people can relate to her. Lizzo says the things that we say in our houses, and she cuts up the way that the girls up the street do. She doesn’t feel like she’s untouchable.”

Elliott concluded that Lizzo makes timeless music that will always be a success. “I believe that Lizzo is classic, and she’s going to be deemed legendary,” she said. “She’s one of those artists that will always work. She’s going to sell out every single time. Anything that Lizzo wants to do, I believe she’ll be great at doing it.”