Melissa Arnette Elliott, better known as Missy Elliott, was born on July 1, 1971, in Portsmouth, Virginia. She was the only child of Patricia Elliott, a dispatcher at a power company, and Ronnie Elliott, a former U.S. Marine. Missy’s early life was marked by hardship and challenges. Her family lived in an impoverished neighborhood, and she often faced the turmoil of domestic abuse at home. Despite these adversities, Missy found solace in music from a young age. She was a bright and energetic child who loved performing and imitating famous singers.
Missy’s passion for music was evident early on. She formed a singing group called Fayze with her neighborhood friends and started performing locally. Her determination to escape her difficult circumstances and make a name for herself in the music industry was unwavering. Her big break came when she and her group caught the attention of DeVante Swing, a member of the R&B group Jodeci. DeVante signed them to his Swing Mob label, which became the launching pad for Missy’s career.