Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott have always had a friendship we admire. Although a love of music brought the two together, the two have now been friends for over a decade due to their kindred spirits.
The two often share photos together — earlier this month, Elliott shared a pic of herself and Jackson looking flawless, and in August, Elliott was in attendance as Jackson accepted her BMI Icon Award — they often have nicknames for each other.
At at ESSENCE’s 9th annual Black Women in Music event earlier this year, Elliott revealed Jackson’s pet name for her: “Jack.”
During the event, Elliott also shared just how good of a friend Jackson is to her.
“The times that I may have felt like giving up, she’s always gave me an encouraging word and I’ve watched her as a strong, black, powerful woman who’s had to overcome many obstacles,” the rapper said.
So, just how far back do these two go? Let’s take a quick look inside Elliott and Jackson’s incredible friendship.
For the love of music
Jackson and Elliott’s friendship began when the pair teamed up for Jackson’s “Son of a Gun,” a single from the singer’s seventh album, All For You. The track also featured Carly Simon. Elliott and Jackson would later team up again for “Burn It Up!,” a song from Jackson’s 2015 album Unbreakable.
Elliott is Jackson’s ‘biggest fan’
Following the release of “Burn It Up!,” the two released statements praising each other. Jackson called Elliott “a dear friend,” while the “Work It” rapper said of Jackson, “We are great friends and have been for so long, I am still her biggest fan. Sometimes, I still have to pinch myself when I call her and she picks up the phone or texts me because she is still Janet Jackson!”
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Never-ending praise throughout the years.
Since working together and becoming close friends the two have had nothing but kind words for each other, especially over the last year as Jackson has returned to the spotlight.
Earlier this year at ESSENCE’s Black Women in Music event, Jackson paid tribute to Elliott with a heartfelt speech.
“Creativity is a beautiful thing,” she said. “And when creativity flows so freely from a musical genius, all we can do is express gratitude. I am so grateful for Missy’s beautiful soul.”
A post shared by Missy Elliott (@missymisdemeanorelliott) on
Elliott later took to social media to admit that she “couldn’t stop crying tears of happiness” after Jackson’s tribute.
The friendship between these two music icons is proof that even in an industry where competition often reigns supreme, you can just as often find sisterhood.
