Congrats are in order for Missy Elliott.

On Thursday (June 13), the Virginia native was officially inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and became the first female hip hop artist to ever do so. The annual event took place in New York City and featured performances by newcomer Lizzo who recreated Elliott’s most iconic music videos, AP reports.

Fellow rapper Queen Latifah and former First Lady Michelle Obama also shared kind words about the influential artist before she took to the stage to speak.

“Missy, I want to thank you for all of your trailblazing ways,” Obama said in a prerecorded video. “Thank you not for just sharing your gift with the world, but for being an advocate for so many people out there, especially young girls who are still figuring out how to make their voices heard.”

Elliott reportedly became visibly emotional by the 10-minute long tribute. “I am thankful,” she told the room. “Every time I come up to a podium, even with all the work that I’ve done, I don’t know, and I’m assuming it’s just God, I don’t know why I am here.”

In between sharing heartfelt stories about her childhood and creative writing process, the Grammy winner went on to give advice to her peers. “I want to say one thing to the writers, to the upcoming writers, ‘Do not give up.’ We all go through writer’s block. Sometimes you just have to walk away from a record and come back to it. But don’t give up because I’m standing here. And this is big for hip-hop, too.”

As previously reported, Elliott’s induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame makes her the third hip hop act overall to be inducted, joining the likes of JAY-Z (the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame) and Jermaine Dupri.

In addition to writing her solo hits such as “Lose Control,” “Work It,” and “Get Ur Freak On,” Elliott has also penned records for Aaliyah (“One in a Million”), Ciara (“1 2 Step”), Monica (“So Gone”), Beyoncé, Janet Jackson and Fantasia, among others.

Last month, Elliott received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College for her “influences in music, and for [her] enduring global impact.” Keep reading to see footage of Elliott getting inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Congrats again Missy!