Missy Elliott Receives Honorary Doctorate from Prestigious Berklee College of Music

*On Saturday (May 12th) Missy Elliott became the first hip-hop star to receive an honorary degree from the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Both Elliot and Justin Timberlake received honorary doctorates from the prestigious college. When announcing Missy, Berklee reportedly called her a “groundbreaking solo superstar, pioneering producer, songwriter, singer, and rapper.”

Elliott shared her story of resilience, setbacks from illness and being dropped from labels as some of the challenges she had to overcome, according to CBS Boston.

The “Work It” rapper told graduates: “There will be ups and downs — prepare for that…As long as you are breathing, it is never too late. Don’t forget that. You have come too far to quit.”

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CREATE YOUR OWN LANE!!!! Sincerely Dr. MISSY ELLIOTT??@Berkleecollege?‍ #VA #757

A post shared by Missy Elliott (@missymisdemeanorelliott) on May 11, 2019 at 11:20am PDT

Her words echo an Instagram video she shared on Thursday of her writing a note on a yellow legal pad that said: “For those of you going through rough times and feel like giving up: Do not give up! Keep the faith. You got this!”

In the caption of the post, Missy added: “Sometimes you may feel like giving up because you work so damn hard and you still not in the place you want to be if its Mentally/Financially/Job/ or whatever but even if it feel like its a long time DO NOT LOSE THE FAITH!” she penned. “Speak it into EXISTENCE! Most of the time it don’t happen over night but if you keep BELIEVING &SPEAKING it something good will most likely come out it ”

Fans were quick to point out, however, that when Dr. Elliott walked up on stage to the podium, the administrators put her yoke on backward and upside down– YET, they put Justin’s yoke on the right way — peep the clip below.

After receiving her honorary doctorate, Missy shared the exciting milestone on social media.

 

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TSR STAFF: Chantel Kelli! @_popchanny! _______________ Congratulations are in order for #MissyElliot who just secured the bag, okay!? She received her honorary doctorate from #BerkleeCollegeofMusic today!! Did y’all she is thee FIRST female rapper to receive the degree!? ________________ Other creatives to hold this degree are #ArethaFranklin, #BBKing, #SmokeyRobinson and #LorettaLynn. This has been a helluva year for #Missy as she was also inducted into the #SongwritersHallofFame in January! Congratulations, Missy!!

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on May 11, 2019 at 11:31am PDT

Meanwhile, Timberlake spoke about success and failure being part of everyone’s life journey.

“You’re defined by what you define failure as. It’s not a thing if it leads you to your success,” he said. “It’s all part of the journey.”

He also told the audience that he hopes to “look around and see this graduating class” in the music scene.

“Meet me at the studio. I want to see y’all!” he said.

No Dream is too big!!! Keep chasing!!! Trust me… I’m a DOCTOR!! ??‍? But, for real… THANK YOU to @BerkleeCollege for this incredible honor—I’m very humbled and grateful. pic.twitter.com/ShKdqDC2xn

— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) May 11, 2019

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