Missy Elliott emerged on the hip-hop scene in the late 1990s with an instantly recognizable style and a bold, boundary-pushing approach to music. Over the course of her iconic career, Missy proved that female rappers could achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success, while also pushing the genre forward creatively through her innovative productions, unique flows, and fearless embrace of her sexuality. Though Missy’s influence can be felt across hip-hop, one artist who particularly stands out as benefiting from the path she paved is Cardi B. While Cardi has certainly carved out her own lane of success with her charismatic personality and unapologetic lyrics, it’s undeniable that Missy helped normalize many aspects of Cardi’s style and paved the way for a female rapper of her ilk to find mainstream popularity.

Breaking Down Gender Barriers

When Missy first broke through in 1997 with her debut album “Supa Dupa Fly,” the landscape of hip-hop was still very much a male-dominated one. Few female rappers had achieved notable commercial success, and those who did often faced criticism and skepticism regarding their legitimacy in the genre. Missy changed the game, proving with hit singles like “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” and “Sock It 2 Me” that a woman could not only hold her own lyrically and creatively in hip-hop, but also have major crossover appeal. The album went platinum, establishing Missy as a bonafide star and role model.

Her subsequent albums like “Da Real World” (1999) and “Miss E…So Addictive” (2001) continued her commercial reign, with the latter debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Missy was no novelty act – she was a hip-hop powerhouse making critically-acclaimed albums that sold millions. By dominating the charts alongside her male peers, she undeniably showed the industry that female rappers could be just as viable mainstream artists. This helped shift perceptions within the genre and gave future female rappers a path to follow commercially.

When Cardi B emerged nearly 20 years later, she took full advantage of the more accepting environment Missy helped create. Though she faced initial skepticism as a reality television star crossing over into music, Cardi proved with her 2017 breakout single “Bodak Yellow” that she too had what it takes to top the charts. The song became the first solo track by a female rapper to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 since Lauryn Hill in 1998. Cardi went on to achieve multiple number one hits and platinum albums of her own. She cemented her status not just as a popular female rapper, but as one of the biggest stars in music overall. Missy paved the way for this kind of commercial dominance from a female rapper nearly two decades prior.

Versatility and Creative Prowess

Beyond breaking barriers as a hitmaker, Missy also left an immense creative legacy through her versatility, boundary-pushing productions, and unique flows. While many viewed her initially as just a rapper, Missy proved to be a true auteur – writing, producing, and arranging much of her own material. She brought a genre-blending experimentalism to hip-hop, incorporating elements of rock, pop, R&B, and electronic music into her productions. Missy’s songs were sonic playgrounds that took listeners on wild, unpredictable journeys.

Her nimble flows were equally innovative, deftly switching up cadences and accents to keep listeners on their toes. Missy pushed hip-hop lyricism in new directions just as much as she did its sonic palettes. She set a precedent for creativity and artistic control that future female rappers could look to. Cardi B has cited Missy as one of her biggest influences and it’s evident in how she too blends humor, pop sensibilities, and straight rapping into her own genre-bending style. Cardi brings an unpredictability and playfulness to her music that feels directly inspired by Missy’s boundary-pushing approach.

Owning Her Sexuality

Part of what made Missy such a pioneering figure was how unabashedly she owned her sexuality through her music, visuals, and persona. In a male-dominated genre not always welcoming to displays of female sexuality, Missy celebrated her own desires and body image with confidence. Songs like “The Rain” and music videos like those for “She’s a Bitch” and “Work It” embraced her sensuality while still maintaining an aura of cool. Missy made it acceptable for a female rapper to be sexy without compromising her legitimacy or skill.

Cardi B has cited Missy specifically as giving her permission to fully embrace her own sexuality in her music and image. Songs like “Bodak Yellow” and videos for hits like “WAP” exude the same confidence in one’s desirability that Missy pioneered. Cardi is unapologetic about discussing sex and celebrating her body, carrying on Missy’s legacy of making space for female rappers to own their sexuality within the genre. Both artists show that women can be powerful sexual beings and successful rappers simultaneously – a duality Missy was the first to truly normalize within hip-hop.

Fashion as Self-Expression

Beyond music, Missy also left a legacy in the way she utilized fashion as a key part of her image and persona. Her signature oversized, futuristic clothing helped her stand out visually while also making bold statements. Missy’s fashion aesthetic, designed in collaboration with her stylist Tonne Goodman, pushed boundaries and blurred gender norms. She wore what she wanted unapologetically, whether baggy jeans and hoodies or avant-garde creations, using clothing as a vessel of self-expression.

Missy proved that female rappers did not need to conform to hyper-sexualized or stereotypical styles. They could be trendsetters in their own right by embracing bold, individual fashion choices. Cardi B has cited Missy directly as an influence in this regard, taking risks with her clothing choices that make bold visual statements just as Missy did before her. From daring red carpet looks to outrageous music video costumes, Cardi understands fashion’s power to complement and amplify her larger-than-life persona – just as Missy pioneered. Both artists show that women can use clothing on their own terms to enhance rather than objectify themselves.

Continuing Missy’s Legacy

While Missy Elliott and Cardi B both have distinct styles and voices, it’s undeniable that Missy helped normalize many aspects of Cardi’s approach that have led to her current superstardom. By achieving commercial success, creative freedom, and the ability to fully own her sexuality as a female rapper in the late 90s/early 2000s, Missy blazed a trail. She proved that barriers once thought insurmountable could be broken, making space for others like Cardi B to follow in her footsteps nearly 20 years later.

Missy showed future generations it was acceptable to push creative boundaries, embrace bold fashion choices, and celebrate sexuality from a place of empowerment rather than objectification. Cardi has taken these lessons and run with them, putting her own spin on the path Missy first laid. While Missy remains one of the most innovative artists in hip-hop history, her impact lives on through artists like Cardi who stand on the shoulders of the giants who came before them. The genre continues to benefit from Missy’s pioneering spirit and everything she endured and accomplished to help female rappers achieve the levels of success and creative control they enjoy today.