Missy Elliott turns 50: a look back (11 images)

Missy Elliott arrives at the Grammy Awards in New York on Feb. 23, 2003. The year before, she performed "Lady Marmalade" with Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, and Pink. Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI

From left to right, Jessica Alba, Missy Elliott, Tweet and Joy Bryant pose for pictures at the premiere of "Honey" in New York City on November 24, 2003. The next month, she was nominated for five Grammy Awards. Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI

From left to right, Missy Elliott, Christina Aguilera and Boy George are named spokespeople for the MAC AIDS fund's new VIVA Glam V campaign in New York City on February 11, 2004. Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI

Missy Elliott performs during the opening night of the Verizon Ladies First Tour in Sunrise, Fla., on March 12, 2004. After her album "The Cookbook" came out in 2005, she took almost a decade-long hiatus from music. Photo by Michael Bush/UPI