Missy Elliott and Lizzo: 'We Run It' at the 2019 VMAs
Why these two powerhouse black women were so significant for the awards ceremony
When Missy Elliott and Lizzo collaborated for the 2019 hit “Tempo,” it just made sense. If you were around in the late ’90s, you had a Missy Elliott CD. You understood the significance of the garbage bag. Having a Tribute to the Vanguard award for Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott seemed like it was a long time coming. But doing it on the same night that Lizzo flocked the stage with afro-wearing, cornrow-posing chocolate women and a bouncing, brown, ginormous butt made it that much better. (Sir Mix a Lot and Missy walked so Lizzo could run, you understand?)
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While I’m still perplexed by the six odd times the camera person zoomed in on Gigi Hadid, Taylor Swift and Bebe Rexha — who knew none of the words to the songs — the 11 zoom-ins of the rest of the crowd were absolutely gratifying. There were two brothas with glasses on that were living their best lives, dancing and clearly familiar with the songs. Now that’s how you do it.
But what’s more important is the site of these two black female entertainers challenging the stereotypes of how black women should look in the entertainment industry. (Most recent example: If you cringed through stylists asking Tia P. to wear a bob on “The Next Big Thing” instead of her natural hair, then you already know how quickly the industry will try to make women a carbon copy of each other — unnecessary weave and questionable outfits included.)