Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott have made history as the first rap artists to receive the National Medal of The Arts. Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee and more than 30 other recipients were also honored with the prestigious recognition from President Biden at re White House earlier this week (10/21). Missy, who is also the first female MC to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2023) took to social media to voice her excitement. "I am humbly grateful, crying tears of joy," she posted. "Thinking of the days I wasn't so strong, but through faith and prayers I kept going."

The National Medal of Arts was established by the U.S. Congress in 1984 to honor artists and patrons of the arts. The honor is the highest given to artists and patrons by the government of The United States. Previous nominees include writer Ralph Ellison, photographer Gordon Parks, musician Dizzy Gillespie, and bandleader Cab Calloway. Congrats Latifah and Missy!