Why Missy Elliot Is The OG Female Role Model For Our Generation

Whilst perusing the Internet one fine day, I came across multiple articles dedicated to today’s modern Feminist Icons and thought, “something is missing here.” Amidst the politicians, actresses, and human rights activists, I spotted a vacancy. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it until last Wednesday, when Missy Elliot dropped her much anticipated song, “Where They From (WTF)” featuring Pharrell. Missy “Misdemeanour” Elliot has been an active rapper since the mid-nineties. Known for her eclectic fashion style, visually arousing music videos, and witty wordplay, Missy Elliot has garnered herself several Grammys, Billboard  Music Awards, and MTV Awards. Missy Elliot is someone we should all be looking up to and here are three reasons why:

1) Missy Elliot is sex positive

Amongst other things, Missy Elliot is known for her raunchy lyrics and sexual agency. In a world where overweight women (particularly overweight black women) are often cast aside as funny sidekicks, Missy Elliot proved that not only was she sexually desired but also enjoyed sex. Her carefully crafted lyrics tell stories of a modern day sex positive woman. Her lyrics advocate for not just sex, but pleasure. Specifically, the joys of the female orgasm. In her song “One Minute Man”, Missy Elliot proudly proclaims that she will not settle for a man who falls short of her sexual desires (in this case, not lasting long enough hence the term “one minute man”).

2) She advocates for sex workers

Many of today’s Feminist Icons have little or nothing to say about the taboo subject of sex work. From full service escorts, to cam girls, to strippers, the sex industry gets bashed more often than not. Sex work is treated is as disgusting occupation reserved for the poor, the downtrodden and the addicted. Missy Elliot, however, aims to shatter the stigma against women in the sex work industry. In her song “Work It,” Missy says, “girls, girls, get that cash/If it’s 9-5 or shakin’ your ass/Ain’t no shame, ladies do your thing/Just make sure you’re ahead of the game.” Missy Elliot supports a woman’s hustle regardless of what it is. Missy also featured Trina, an ex-stripper turned successful rapper, in her video for “Gossip Folks”. Missy has shown that she has no qualms for sex work, as long as the women participating are safe.

3) Missy is body positive

As a black girl who used to be overweight and spent the majority of her childhood and adolescence overweight, I can say that there weren’t many role models to look up to. I spent years thinking that I’d never be anything more than the sassy neck-rollin’ sidekick of someone smaller and prettier than me. The “fat black woman” narrative has never been a pretty one (literally and figuratively). With its roots dating back to slavery, the overweight Mammy trope has been the spectre that haunts many fat black women. The usage of the trope stems from the notion that a fat black (especially a dark skinned) woman would pose no sexual threat to the white woman of the house. Mammy knew her place: in servitude. Mammy had no sexual desires, nor was she ever sexually desired. The Mammy character still exists in modern media, from Hattie McDonald’s portrayal of Mammy in Gone With the Wind to Gabourey Sidibe’s role as Precious.

Missy Elliot shatters that perception with her suggestive lyrics and videos. Missy Elliot wasn’t just the “Fat black girl”, she was the “it” girl. After being told by countless executives that although she was talented, she didn’t look like a super star, Missy took matters into her own hands. She refused to slim down or alter her appearance for label executives and instead waited until she was signed with Elektra. She was given complete creative control over her music, style, and videos. Missy proudly flaunts her curves and said in a verse in her song “Lose Control”, “I’ve got a cute face, chubby waist/thick legs in shape/rump shaker both ways/make you do a double take”. I cannot count the times when in my youth I would go back and listen to some Missy Elliot for a confidence boost.

With Missy Elliot’s triumphant return to music, I hope that she will in turn inspire another generation of young women. Perhaps many of them will, like me, finally be able to see an icon that looks like them. Missy Elliot shattered the proverbial glass ceiling wearing nothing but an Adidas tracksuit and a side ponytail.

Featured image via “Missy Elliot, Exit Festival 2010” by Exit Festival / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0