Throwback: Happy Belated 54th Birthday, Missy Elliott!

We’ve somehow managed to survive through July so far, eh? Well, July is a busy month in music history.

• One of the most important figures of the blues, Chicago blues especially, Willie Dixon was born 110 years ago on July 1
• James Cotton was born 90 years ago on July 1
• Syl Johnson was born 89 years ago on July 1
• The B-52s Fred Schneider celebrated his 74th birthday on July 1
• The iconic Debbie Harry celebrated her 80th birthday on July 1 
• Evelyn “Champagne” King celebrated her 65th birthday on July 1

Missy Elliott, one of the most forward thinking artists of her generation — and perhaps of any generation, really — celebrated her 54th birthday on July 1. If you’re a child of the 80s and/or 90s, you rocked out to Elliott’s work on the radio and in the club. And they still hold up today. 

So let’s wish her a very happy belated birthday! May there be many, many, more!