Ciara Honors ‘Big Sister and Legend’ Missy Elliott at the 2023 Black Music Collective Event
Ciara is the most supportive friend ever. She also delivers a killer musical performance. The “Goodies” singer did both on Thursday, Feb. 2, at the second annual Black Music Collective event.
Rap legend Missy Elliott received the Global Impact Award alongside Dr. Dre, Lil Wayne and Sylvia Rhone. On the black carpet, The Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said that he hopes this event will remain a place people want to gather to celebrate and respect Black excellence and music. The ceremony honored hip-hop and the past, present and future of Black music through a series of performances and videos.
“It was truly an honor to pay tribute to my friend, big sister, icon,and legend @MissyMisdemeanorElliott,” Ciara wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. “I will never take moments like this for granted! What a blessing it was to see all the other amazing honorees and greats in the room! @Liltunechi @DrDre thank you also for the inspiration you’ve given us all! Legendary nights!”
The 37-year-old wore a velvet vest tank, baggy denim jeans and a perfectly complementary denim and velvet maxi coat. She accessorized with chunky sunglasses, a thick silver choker necklace with a large cross pendant and bright red nails. Makeup artist Yolonda Frederick-Thompson opted for sultry glam, including a bold smoky eye, deep contour and a nude lip. Ciara’s hair was loosely slicked back for a messy wet look.
Ciara performed a rendition of her song, “1, 2 Step,” a 2004 track on which Elliott was featured. Ciara and Mona Scott-Young introduced the “Get Ur Freak On” rapper together and presented her with the award. Ciara described the 51-year-old Elliott as “the true definition of a legend, an icon, an ultimate rockstar.”
“You have changed the world, changed the way we see ourselves, changed the way we experience music,” Scott-Young added. “And for that, I thank you.”
Elliott accepted her award with tears and an emotional speech.
“This will never get old to me. I’ve won a lot of awards and I feel the same way,” she said. “People don’t understand that this is a Global Impact Award. It’s not just neighborhood, it’s global. So it hits different when you stand up here, knowing that when you get something like this, you gotta know that you’ve been through a lot.”
Snoop Dogg, Chloe Bailey, DJ Khaled, 2 Chainz, Busta Rhymes and will.i.am also attended the Los Angeles event.