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Missy Elliott And Rapsody Headline Queen Latifah Tribute At Kennedy Center Honors

December 28, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Earlier this week, the Kennedy Center Honors took place. The event seeks to highlight and pay tribute to some of the most significant contributors to pop culture around. This time, one of the honorees was Queen Latifah and the legendary female MC had a talented roster of artists contributing to her tribute. Generations of talented rappers came together to speak to the significance of her influence.

It began with Missy Elliott, who has some recent history with Latifah. Earlier this year Elliott was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, becoming the first-ever female rapper to join the ranks. During her induction ceremony, she received a poetic tribute from Latifah as a part of her introduction. Missy spoke to hearing some of Queen Latifah’s earliest hits and the influence they had on the music she would go on to make. MC Lyte and Monie Love took the stage next to perform one of those classic songs, “Ladies First.” Then finally Rapsody brought the house down with her rendition of Latifah’s song “Just Another Day” as a finale. Check out the full ceremony honoring the legendary rapper below.

Missy Elliott Pays Tribute To Queen Latifah

It’s fitting that Missy Elliott would end off her 2023 honoring a legend. She spent most of the year being honored herself. The biggest moment came during her Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction. Not only did numerous celebs show up to induct her in person but dozens more online expressed their admiration for her work and revealed how she influenced so many.

The praise hasn’t slowed down either. Just earlier this week Trina heralded Missy as one of the “Greats” alongside Lil Wayne. Her influence on hip-hop itself is also still pretty visible. A few months ago Lil Durk shared a teaser with fans which made prominent use of a Missy sample. What do you think of the speech Missy Elliott gave and the performance Rapsody contributed to Queen Latifah’s Kennedy Center Honors ceremony? Let us know which performance was your favorite in the comment section below.

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Queen Latifah Is The First Femcee Kennedy Center Honoree

December 11, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Queen Latifah, born Dana Elaine Owens, is a pioneer of the hip-hop sound, an acclaimed performer, and one of the latest Kennedy Center Honorees. Latifah was honored last week alongside Billy Crystal, Dionne Warwick, Barry Gibb, and Renée Fleming. The five artists received the award for their excellent contributions to the arts and entertainment in American culture. This makes Latifah the first female rapper, and second rapper overall to accept the honor. LL Cool J previously received Kennedy Center Honors in 2017. The gala, which took place on December 3, will be available to stream on Paramount+ on December 27.

Dozens of high-profile stars were in attendance to support Queen Latifah and company as they accepted the highly coveted award. Some attendees included Kerry Washington, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sigourney Weaver, and Whoopi Goldberg. As the first female rapper to accept the honor, the “U.N.I.T.Y.” rapper was joined in attendance by other respected femcees including M.C. Lyte, Missy Elliott, Monie Love, and Rapsody. Rapsody previously collaborated with Queen Latifah on the track “Hatshepsut” off her 2018 album Eve.

Queen Latifah Was Honored By President Joe Biden Personally

As part of the Kennedy Center festivities, sitting President Joe Biden appeared to speak on each of the honorees. While listing off Queen Latifah’s accolades, the president included references to her Grammy wins, record sales, and groundbreaking musical style. He also recognized her acting prowess, with such highlights as an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe win, a Primetime Emmy, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Joe Biden referred to her many accolades as “a full trophy case.”

Biden also praised the Set It Off star for using her platform as an artist to share certain fundamental messages. Biden specifically praised Latifah for speaking on “the pain of losing her brother, the abuse of power, the respect that Black women deserve, and how infinite love is the only hope for unity” in her music. Kerry Washington took the stage to make similar remarks, explaining the origins of Queen Latifah’s rap moniker and her significance to hip-hop culture.

The Award Coincides With The 50th Anniversary Of Hip-Hop

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A post shared by Queen Latifah (@queenlatifah)

As President Biden referenced, Queen Latifah’s honor comes as we close out the 50th year of hip-hop history. The anniversary has been a staple of Queen Latifah’s outings, with the acclaimed artist performing at the Grammy Salute To To 50 Years Of Hip-Hop on December 10th. As one of the pioneers of hip hop as an art form, particularly under a female lens, Queen Latifah is a perfect honoree for this historic year.

Before Queen Latifah was given her own Kennedy Center Honors, she previously appeared at three other ceremonies. Latifah helped honor Tina Turner, Barbara Streisand, and LL Cool J in 2005, 2008, and 2017, respectively. Queen Latifah closed out her night with an acceptance speech that graciously highlighted her co-inductees. In her speech, Latifah thanked her partner, family, and fans, while offering a mission statement to continue living life in the moment.

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Queen Latifah Will Be The First Female Rapper To Be Honored By The Kennedy Center

June 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (commonly referred to as the Kennedy Center) has announced its 2023 Kennedy Center Honorees and among them is Queen Latifah, the first female rapper to be honored by the Kennedy Center. This is fitting, as 2023 also marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip-hop, and Queen Latifah has been a massive part of that history as an artist, manager, producer, and all-around ambassador for hip-hop since the late ’80s.

Her accolades include a Grammy Award for her 1993 single “U.N.I.T.Y.” (which she won over Snoop Dogg in a funny story he shared in his upcoming book), classic film roles like the one DJ Drama recently remade from Juice, and inspiring a generation of modern MCs/moguls like Lizzo and Megan Thee Stallion. She currently stars in a remake of the The Equalizer and still finds time to perform, with a headlining set at Rock The Bells Festival coming this summer.

The Kennedy Centered previously honored LL Cool J — the first rapper to receive the honor — and hosted a special performance of Nas’ seminal debut Illmatic with the National Symphony Orchestra, so Latifah’s in good company. The remaining four honorees this year are Billy Crystal, Renée Fleming, Barry Gibb, and Dionne Warwick.

Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick, And More To Be Celebrated At Kennedy Center Honors

June 22, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Queen Latifah will be honored for her ongoing contributions to the arts later this year at the Kennedy Center Honors. She’ll also be joined by Dionne Warwick, as well as the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb. The ceremony, hosted by Gloria Estefan, will air on December 3, 2023.

Deborah F. Rutter, President of Kennedy Center, shared a statement amid the news. “This year we pay special tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip hop, a uniquely American culture whose constant evolution is one of enduring relevance and impact, reflecting our society as it has grown into an international phenomenon,” she says. Rutter also adds, “Hip hop has been an important, thriving art form here at the Center for a number of years; what a privilege it is to bestow an Honors to the First Lady of Hip Hop who has inspired us along the way.”

Queen Latifah To Be Honored

Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick, And More To Be Celebrated At Kennedy Center Honors — Queen Latifah (Dana Owens) performs at Madison Square Garden on January 3, 1992 in New York City. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images/MIchael Ochs Archives)

“This year we pay special tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip hop, a uniquely American culture whose constant evolution is one of enduring relevance and impact, reflecting our society as it has grown into an international phenomenon,” Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter said in a press statement. She also adds, “Hip hop has been an important, thriving art form here at the Center for a number of years; what a privilege it is to bestow an Honors to the First Lady of Hip Hop who has inspired us along the way.”

Rutter also went on to call the 2023 inductees “an extraordinary mix of individuals who have redefined their art forms and demonstrated remarkable tenacity and authenticity in becoming an original.” “Each of them has explored new terrain,” she added, “stretched artistic boundaries, and most importantly, committed to sharing their gifts with the world.” Chairman of Kennedy Center, David M. Rubenstein, additionally shared a statement on Queen Latifah. “Queen Latifah shaped and innovated the art form in its earliest days,” he says. “Representing Black women everywhere and using the idiom to become a powerful voice for change.”

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