Missy Elliott’s 1997 debut single “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” was a rocket upon release, and now, it’s in outer space.
NASA has transmitted “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” all the way to Venus, which NASA confirms is Missy Elliott’s favorite planet. The 158 million mile transmission was sent at the speed of light via NASA’s Deep Space Network, which is comprised of a set of giant radio antennas based in Barstow, California. Its radio signal took about 14 minutes to reach Venus.
Elliott’s track is not only the first hip-hop song to be sent to outer space — it’s the second track ever to receive the honor, (fittingly) behind The Beatles’ “Across the Universe.”
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“I still can’t believe I’m going out of this world with NASA through the Deep Space Network when “The Rain” (Supa Dupa Fly) becomes the first ever hip-hop song to transmit to space!,” Elliott said. “I chose Venus because it symbolizes strength, beauty, and empowerment and I am so humbled to have the opportunity to share my art and my message with the universe!”
Brittany Brown, Director of the Digital and Technology Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington, was the catalyst for the collab, and said in a statement, “Missy has a track record of infusing space-centric storytelling and futuristic visuals in her music videos so the opportunity to collaborate on something out of this world is truly fitting.”
The Missy Elliott + outer space collaboration is fitting, as she’s currently embarking on the futuristic, sci-fi-themed “Out of this World — The Missy Elliott Experience” tour alongside Busta Rhymes and Ciara — which is actually Elliott’s first headlining tour. The 2024 run continues through July and August with shows to come in Houston, Tampa, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Boston, Brooklyn, Toronto, and more; see Missy Elliott’s 2024 tour dates here, and get tickets here.
See where Missy Elliott’s other smash single “Work It” landed on our list of the 50 Best Hip-Hop Songs of All Time.