(NEW YORK, NY, December 14, 2017)—Time Inc.’s (NYSE: TIME) ESSENCE, the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, will celebrate multi-GRAMMY® winner and music icon Missy Elliott with its 2018 ‘Black Women in Music’ honor on January 25, 2018 at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

A multi-GRAMMY Award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter and producer, Elliott has consistently pushed the boundaries of R&B, hip-hop and pop music with a string of classic hits—including Get Ur Freak On, Work It, Lose Control, Lady Marmalade, Pep Rally and WTF (featuring Pharrell), among many more. Elliott has collaborated with entertainment giants such as Timbaland and Pharrell, as well as produced chart-topping hits for Whitney Houston, Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige. 2015’s legendary Super Bowl Halftime show performance with Katy Perry solidified Missy’s global influence across generations. Now, following nearly a decade-long focus on behind-the-scenes production work, she has re-emerged stronger than ever with the release of I’m Better (featuring Lamb, and another version with hip-hop heavyweights Eve, Lil Kim and Trina), as well as a planned documentary on her life in music. Considered a seminal force in the entertainment industry, Elliott is also a positive role model: projecting strength, confidence and female empowerment to her legion of fans. Missy Elliott is a formidable businesswoman and retains full creative control over her music and multimedia content. After more than two decades in hip-hop, she is still at the top of her game.

“The artistry of Missy Elliott cuts across generations—underscored by her vast creative accomplishments and contributions to the culture,” said Vanessa De Luca, ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief. “So prolific is her work, she is an inspiration to women all over the world. Missy’s energetic presence is truly magnetic, and we can’t wait to celebrate her as one of the artistic masterminds of our time.”

Established in 2010, ESSENCE ‘Black Women in Music’ recognizes the accomplishments of both emerging and established artists and influencers during GRAMMY week. Previous celebrants include GRAMMY Award winners Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Rowland and GRAMMY Award nominee Andra Day, as well as music industry veteran Sylvia Rhone and singer/songwriter Emeli Sandé.

The 2018 ESSENCE ‘Black Women in Music’ event is sponsored by Lincoln. Stay tuned to Essence.com for highlights and behind-the-scenes access. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @essence #BlackWomeninMusic. Join in the discussion on Facebook.

# # #

---

 

ABOUT ESSENCE 
ESSENCE is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a brand reach of 21.2 million. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events and online, ECI is comprised of Essence magazine, the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; the ESSENCE Festival®; Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music events; Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series; Essence.com; and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). 

 

ABOUT TIME INC. 
Time Inc. (NYSE:TIME) is a leading multi-platform consumer media company that engages over 230 million consumers globally every month. The company's influential brands include PEOPLE, TIME, FORTUNE, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, INSTYLE, REAL SIMPLE, SOUTHERN LIVING and TRAVEL + LEISURE, as well as approximately 60 diverse international brands. Time Inc. offers marketers a differentiated proposition in the marketplace by combining its powerful brands, trusted content, audience scale, direct relationships with consumers and unique first-party data. The company is home to growing media platforms and extensions, including digital video, OTT, television, licensing, international markets, paid products and services and celebrated live events, such as the TIME 100, FORTUNE Most Powerful Women, PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’s Sportsperson of the Year, the ESSENCE Festival and the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen.