Missy Elliot

Melissa Arnette Elliott AKA Missy Elliott

Educational Background and Location

Woodrow Wilson High SchoolPortsmouth, VA

Brief Personal Bio

Missy Elliott experienced a lot of trauma at a young age. Her father, Ronnie, who was a marine, struggled for work after the army and they moved back to Portsmouth, living in what was no better than a shack. Ronnie was violent, and beat Patricia (Missy Elliott's mother) in front of Missy. Missy did not have good support at home and she was raped at the age of 8 by her cousin.

These are a Few of Their Favorite Things

  • Favorite color---Pink

Common Literary Elements/Structure/Themes in their Work

Missy Elliott "basically counts off the music’s pulse with her words, lining up her place with the current position of the bass kicks and snares behind her...her vocal entrances and exits from the musical texture become just another secret weapon that her producer can deploy while building the beat drops in order to make the entire song as dope as possible".

Link to Matching PP Guides/Glossary Terms

http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/5-tips-using-rhythm-and-rap

http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/7-steps-addressing-post-racial-myth

http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/7-tips-writing-rap

http://www.powerpoetry.org/poetry-terms/synonym

What does it mean if you were matched to this artist? Why is it important?

When matched to Missy Elliott, you are matched to an artist who includes many of the similar techinques you put in your piece. For example, your piece may have clever wordplay that goes along wth a strong/good rhythm and is complimented by the rhythm of the poem. This may be an element of your poem (or main element). It is important to recognize the similarity you have to this artist because it helps you understand more of the style of your literary work. In this instance, your work would most likely contain techniques that are similar to Missy Elliott's and recognizing this could help to further develop your style and approach at writing poems.

Literary Value

Missy Elliott's lyrics align with her style as "she counts off the music’s pulse with her words" in a very clever way.

List of Albums / Artist Spotify Link

Supa Dupa Fly, Da Real World, Miss E...So Addictive, Under Construction, This is Not a Test!, The Cookbook

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2wIVse2owClT7go1WT98tk

Social Handles (Links)

twitter: @MissyElliott, instagram: @missymisdemeanorelliott