Missy Elliot gave a heartfelt speech while accepting MTV's Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards on Monday night.
The legendary singer, 48, was introduced by Cardi B, who called her a "living legend" and said the artist's music was the first album she ever bought.
(MORE: Missy Elliott drops surprise 'Iconology' EP and new single 'Throw It Back')Elliott was overcome with emotion as she took the stage. "I promised I wouldn't cry because I cry every awards, but this Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award means so much to me," she said.
"I have worked diligently over two decades, and I never thought I would be up here receiving this award," she continued.
She also thanked God, her mother, friends, Janet Jackson, fans and collaborators among others during her speech.
The singer dedicated her award to "the dance community all around the world."
During the special night, Elliott also performed live, her first performance at the award show since 2003. She opened with a song off her new EP, "Throw It Back."
She then broke into a mashup of some of her classic hits, including, "Get Ur Freak On," "Lose Control" and "Work It" among others. Celebs in the crowd, including Taylor Swift and Bebe Rexha were going wild for her performance.
Elliott became the first female hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame earlier this year. She’s also won five Grammy awards and sold 30 million records worldwide throughout her distinguished career.