Missy Elliott Drives Portsmouth, Virginia!

Missy Elliott now drives Portsmouth.

Congratulations to Missy on her future successes.

Growing up in Hampton Roads to becoming one of the country's most famous entertainers has netted a personal rewards for Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. 

She had the honor to speak to students at a HBCU.

She was a commencement speaker at Norfolk State University. She also earned an honorary degree.

Elliott was tasked with giving the keynote commencement speech to Norfolk State University’s Class of 2022. “I am proud of y’all, and y’all should be proud of [yourselves]. Now, I want y’all to look at each other and say, ‘You already won.’ Let ’em know. There ain’t no winning. You already won. Y’all could have been doing anything else these last few years. Y’all could have been wilding out, but y’all decided to finish the course, and that’s major,” Elliott said in her address.

During the ceremony, which saw 400 students mark the culmination of their school year, the “Trampoline” artist was presented with NSU’s Presidential Commencement Medallion and an honorary doctorate in humane letters, reaffirming her status as Dr. Elliott. The inspirational figure also donated $20,000 to the university to serve “areas of greatest need.”

Missy (Melissa Elliott) is an American rapper, singer, actress, media personality and record producer. She is close to her longtime producer and deejay Timbaland. She has ties to Norfolk, Virginia Beach and her former hometown of Portsmouth.

Her connection to Norfolk State University dates back to before she became a household name. In her speech, she recalled playing her music on campus back in the day — despite not being a student. NSU also had a hand in the street renaming ceremony that honored Elliott in October. The university’s band performed as a portion of McLean Street was changed to Missy Elliott Boulevard. “When we were asked to come perform, I thought it would be an honor to do that. [She] is one of the best artists [to] hit the hip hop scene,” NSU band director William Beathea told WTKR-TV at the time.

The city of Portsmouth has a population of 103,000 residents. It sits directly across the Elizabeth River and downtown Norfolk. It's a promodminetly Black city.

The Portsmouth City Council in August voted unanimously to approve the street’s renaming in honor of one of the the award-winning artist. As city manager Tonya Chapman noted on Monday in an official bulletin from the city, “We’re beyond proud of Missy’s accomplishments and so thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate her right here in her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia. Missy’s trailblazing career is a testament that when you dream big, anything is possible. We’re excited to celebrate her and rename this street in her honor.”