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Missy Elliott

Missy "Misdemeanour" Elliott's life as a performer began in the early 1990s when she got together with her neighbourhood galpals and formed the group Fayze, recruiting local boy Tim Mosley (later to become Timbaland) as producer. Changing their name to Sista the group soon became part of Donald "DeVante Swing"' collective, Swing Mob, signing to Elektra Records. Although none of Sista's work was ever released, Elliott and Mosley became renowned for their song writing and production, working alongside Aaliyah on her second album, One In A Million. As Elliott's reputation grew, she signed once more to Elektra, but this time as a solo artist under her own label, Goldmine Inc., insisting Timbaland continued to work as her producer. Her debut album, Supa Dupa Fly was released in 1997 and was an overnight hit. Whilst working on her second album, Da Real World, the star also found time to collaborate with The Spice Girls' Melanie B, as well as Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston, ahead of the 2001 release of Miss E...So Addictive, featuring the uber-popular Get Ur Freak On. Further work has since followed with Under Construction, This Is Not A Test!, The Cookbook and greatest hits album Respect M.E., as well as role in teen movie; Honey. Not such a misdemeanour, Elliott is the only female rapper to date to have six platinum selling albums.