In June 2017, I sat down with Audra The Rapper during a special Scoop B Radio Overtime session to discuss her journey on Oxygen’s Sisterhood of Hip Hop. Amidst the talk of independent grinds and studio sessions, we struck a chord regarding the ultimate North Star for women in rap: Missy Elliott. Today, in 2025—with Missy recently making history as the first female rapper in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—Audra’s 2017 observations on Missy’s “Ladies Night” philosophy feel less like a memory and more like a cultural mandate.
Looking back, Audra wasn’t just praising a legend; she was identifying a blueprint for collective success that the industry is still trying to replicate.
The “Every Female” Policy
The core of our conversation centered on how Missy Elliott revolutionized the concept of “space” in the genre. For decades, the industry operated on a “there can only be one” scarcity mindset. Audra pointed to Missy as the disruptor of that narrative.
“Missy would have every female on her album,” Audra told me. “She was the one who made sure everyone was included. It wasn’t about competition; it was about the power of the collective.”
In 2025, we see the fruit of this labor. From the multi-woman remixes that dominate the charts today to the collaborative spirit of festivals, the “Missy Elliott Method” has become the standard. Audra recognized in 2017 that Missy didn’t just open the door; she tore the hinges off and invited everyone to the party.
The Mentorship of a Mogul
Audra, who has always been one of the most lyrically sharp and visually creative artists in the game, saw a kindred spirit in Missy’s “weird and wonderful” approach to hip-hop. She reflected on how Missy’s presence allowed artists like her to be their authentic selves.
“She showed us that you don’t have to fit into a box. You can be creative, you can be different, and you can still be the most powerful person in the room.”
Reflecting on this today, Audra’s own career—marked by her sharp wit and independent spirit—mirrors that Missy-esque refusal to be pigeonholed. By championing “every female,” Missy created a safety net for Audra’s generation to experiment and fail, and eventually, to lead.
The Legacy of “Ladies Night”
During our session, which also featured Lee Mazin, we discussed how the spirit of the 1997 “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)” was the spiritual ancestor of their show, Sisterhood of Hip Hop. Audra viewed their reality series as a modern-day extension of that collaboration.
“It’s about showing that we still have the support from each other. That’s what Missy stood for, and that’s what we’re trying to show the world now.”
In 2025, the “Ladies Night” energy has evolved into a full-scale movement. Audra’s 2017 insistence on inclusion reminds us that the current “Golden Era” of female rap wasn’t an accident—it was a conscious choice made by pioneers like Missy and carried forward by voices like Audra’s.
