NASA transmits Missy Elliott’s song 257 million kilometers through space to the planet Venus

Missy Elliott was one of the first women in hip-hop to make space flight look cool. Now she’s the first rap artist to actually do it.

On Friday, July 12, the 53-year-old music icon made history when her 1997 hit “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” was transmitted at the speed of light (about 158 ​​million miles) from planet Earth to Venus — her “favorite planet” — via NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN), the space agency reported.

According to NASA, only one other song has ever been played in space: The Beatles’ “Across the Universe” in 2008. This makes the broadcast of Elliott’s song a historic first for hip-hop and her decades-long, groundbreaking career.

“Both space exploration and Missy Elliott’s art are about pushing boundaries,” said Brittany Brown, director of the Digital and Technology Division in the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters, in a statement. “Missy already has experience incorporating space-centric storytelling and futuristic imagery in her music videos, so the opportunity to collaborate on something out of the ordinary is truly fitting.”

In her own statement, Elliott added, “I still can’t believe I’m leaving this world with NASA via the Deep Space Network when ‘The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)’ is the first hip hop song ever to be transmitted into space! I chose Venus because she symbolizes strength, beauty and empowerment and I’m so humbled to have the opportunity to share my art and message with the universe!”

Elliott’s latest historic achievement comes during a triumphant era in her career. In 2019, the four-time Grammy winner’s legendary influence on music was recognized at the MTV Video Music Awards with the coveted Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Two years later, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in honor of her epic career. And last year, the legend earned a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, becoming the first female hip-hop artist to receive the musical honor.

“I want to say this is HUGE not just for me but for all my sisters in HIPHOP this door is now OPEN to showcase the hard work and contribution many of us make to MUSIC,” Elliott wrote on X (formerly Twitter) at the time. “I’ve been crying all morning because I’m GRATEFUL thank you @rockhall and everyone on the committee and Supafriends💜.”

Elliott is currently on her Out of This World – The Missy Elliott Experience tour with friends and longtime collaborators Ciara, Timbaland and Busta Rhymes. This is her first tour since 2004. And their very first tour as headliners.

In a recent interview with PEOPLE, the singer said the long break from touring was due to her difficult battle with Graves’ disease, which resulted in severe weight loss and a period of depression. But now the star has returned feeling better than ever and is happy to be back doing what she loves.

“Every day I wake up, I’m happy to be here and to be in great health,” Elliott said. “I’m feeling much better now. This has been a run. Every now and then you get a little soreness in your leg or knee, but other than that I’m fine.”