Missy Elliott’s Career and Queer Representation in Hip-Hop
This paper explores the intersection of gender stereotypes and queer representation in hip-hop, focusing on Missy Elliott’s ambiguous gender expression and the evolution of LGBTQ+ visibility in the genre. By analyzing Elliott’s tomboy persona and comparing it with contemporary artists like Lil Nas X, the paper highlights how queer-coded behavior was historically misunderstood or rejected. It argues for a broader understanding of sexuality in hip-hop and the inclusion of diverse identities in its cultural narrative.
References
Elliott, Missy. 2001. “Get Ur Freak On.” Genius. Web.
Lil Nas X. 2021. “Thats What I Want.” Genius. Web.
Strand, Karla J. 2020. “Where the Binary Never Ruled.” The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide 27(5): 35-36.
Witherspoon, Nia. 2017. “Beep, Beep, Who Got the Keys to the Jeep? Missy’s Trick as (Un)Making Queer.” The Journal of Popular Culture 50(4): 871-895.
Reference
StudyCorgi. (2025, July 10). Missy Elliott’s Career and Queer Representation in Hip-Hop. https://studycorgi.video/missy-elliotts-career-and-queer-representation-in-hip-hop/