Struttin' Through The Industry : A Cultural Perspective On Missy Elliott, Hip-Hop And Beauty Politics

For three decades, hip-hop artist Missy Elliott has served as a household name to rap and hip-hop enthusiasts around the world. What is often overlooked when discussing Elliott however, is her contribution to the fashioning of the Black woman's body in both hip-hop culture, and the fashion industry of the past and present. Through the analysis of her impact on both the hip-hop music and fashion industries, I will explore how this has contributed to her success as not only a rapper, but as an icon. By way of exploring themes such as the racialization of weight gain for African American women, the fashioning of African Americans throughout historical periods like the Harlem Renaissance, and the beauty politics for women of colour, I aim to not only shape Missy Elliott‘s celebrity, but to analyze her politics of resistance. 

Keywords: African American, Beauty, Fashion, Gender, Hip-Hop, Race