There's only one Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott.
On Monday (August 26), the living legend made us work it, lose control, and get our freak on at the 2019 Video Music Awards with an iconic performance of her greatest hits.
Before accepting her MTV Video Vanguard Award, Missy reminded the world why she is and will always be one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
The 15-time VMA winner began her long-awaited Vanguard performance with her latest single "Throw It Back," showing the world how a real one puts on a show. Missy then segued into her 1997 classic "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)," gracing fans with the comeback of her famous inflated-garbage-bag suit.
The 48-year-old hip hop icon then took fans back to 1999 with her hit "Hot Boyz" before transitioning into "Get Ur Freak On," which brought camo-realness to the VMA stage. Next up, Missy surprised fans with a cameo from the one and only Alyson Stoner as she performed "Work It" alongside the dancer who got her start in the 2002 music video.
"Pass That Dutch" was next on the track list before Missy ended her unforgettable performance with everyone's fav, "Lose Control."
Following her phenomenal show, Missy accepted her overdue Video Vanguard Award from Cardi B, who like many artists of the night credited Missy for shaping their careers. "This award means so much to me. I have worked diligently for over two decades," Missy began her acceptance speech. "I never thought that I would be standing up here receiving this award. It means so much to me. It doesn't go unnoticed, the support and love that y'all have shown me over the years." She added, "I always gotta start out by thanking God. I ain't here to change nobody but I know the God that I serve has gotten me this far."
The celebrated entertainer went on to thank her family, team, and fans who have supported her throughout her career, before dedicating the award "to the dance community all around the world."
"When [they] get on the stage with these artists y'all are not just props. Y'all are the icing on the cake, y'all are the beats to the heart. I dedicate this to every dance community out here," she shared.
Before Missy shut down the VMAs Monday night (August 26), MTV celebrated the four-time Grammy-winner with a Missy Elliott pop-up museum in New York City. The two-day interactive exhibit, presented by MTV and Pepsi in celebration of the Video Music Awards, allowed fans to experiences a variety of Missy-themed scenes, including a salon from "Work It," a classroom from "Gossip Folks," and even a space set like the one in "Sock It 2 Me." And if that wasn't enough, fans even had the chance to virtually try on the rapper’s iconic trash bag outfit from "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)."
The pop-up arrived just days after the hip hop icon surprised fans by a dropping a surprise album on Friday (August 23). "#ICONOLOGY," she tweeted ahead of its release. "This year has been a tremendous year for me…I am humbled and grateful. THANK YOU for allowing me to smell the roses. You, my fans, and God are the reason I am here and have celebrated every milestone with me! So, I have a SURPRISE for you [...] At midnight tonight I’m dropping a collection of new songs! Let’s #ThrowItBack to a time when music just felt good and made us want to dance! Sincerely, Dr. Melissa “Missy” Elliott #ICONOLOGY."
Missy's had a lot to celebrate this year. In the spirit of giving icon's their flowers while they're still here, Missy became the first female rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame earlier this year and she was also honored with a doctorate degree from the Berklee College of Music.
Talk about the year of Missy!
Photo: Getty Images