On this date 54 years ago, Hip-Hop’s first matriarch was born in Newark, New Jersey.
Born Dana Owens, Queen Latifah grew from an affluent and promising basketball player from Irvington, New Jersey into one of the most iconic figures in the world’s most transformative sub-culture known as Hip Hop. Whether it’s hitting the booth over the past three decades, delivering solid albums for her fans or wowing viewers on the silver screen in some of her legendary roles like “Cleo” in Set It Off or “Mama” in her award-winning role in Chicago, the Queen of the legendary Flavor Unit is undoubtedly one of the most prolific figures and illustrious personalities not only in Hip-Hop but global pop culture in general.
Peace to Latifah on her born day but it wouldn’t be right unless we took it back to where it all started.
The world is still abuzz over the Queen Bey. This past Sunday (February 11), Beyoncé broke the internet after dropping two new country singles, “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em.” Showcasing her versatility, Bey continues to show us that she can nail any genre.
In fact, she did so last year when she dropped her rap single, “My House,” which premiered in tandem with her Renaissance concert film. As a result of her fire bars, one might think this would put her on some sort of greatest rappers of all time list. At least, such was the case for a contestant on Jeopardy.
In a category for “50 Greatest Rappers of All Time,” contestants were given a prompt, which read “She invited us to ‘come into my house’ and also deal with ‘the wrath of my madness’; We bow down before this queen.”
One contestant answered, “Who is Beyoncé?” presumably thinking the prompt was referring to “My House.” Unfortunately, this was not the correct answer.
Another contestant answered “Who is Queen Latifah,” which was in fact, the correct answer. The prompt was alluding to Latifah’s songs, “Come Into My House” and “Wrath Of My Madness” from her 1989 album, All Hail The Queen.
In the entertainment world, Hip Hop artists are known for their lyrical prowess, commanding stage presence, and dynamic personalities. However, some rappers have also ventured into the realm of romantic comedies, bringing their charisma to the big screen. In stories that blend love and laughter with a dash of adversity, these artists have showcased their acting talent. Here’s a look at some notable rappers turned actors who have left a mark on the rom-com genre.
Few rappers have starred in as many iconic romantic comedies as Queen Latifah. A trailblazer in both Hip Hop and film, she has graced the genre with her presence in multiple movies. Starring beside LL Cool J, she played the lead in the 2006 classic, Last Holiday. In Girls Trip (2017), she portrayed Sasha Franklin, a former journalist turned internet gossip reporter who is struggling financially. she also starred in Brown Sugar (2002), and Just Wright (2010). Evidently, Queen Latifah is an experienced Hollywood veteran, with a stellar rom-com portfolio.
Will Smith
Will Smith initially gained fame as part of the Hip Hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. However, over the years, he seamlessly transitioned into acting and it has been nothing short of extraordinary. One of the most iconic rappers of the 90s, he also has a history with romantic comedies. In 2005, he starred as the titular character in the romantic comedy film, Hitch. While it’s not as big as some other films he has started in, Hitch is a very fun watch. In the movie, Smith played a charismatic dating coach, bringing his trademark charm and comedic timing to the role.
LL Cool J
A pioneer in the rap industry, LL Cool J showcased his acting chops in the romantic comedy Deliver Us From Eva (2003). Starring alongside Gabrielle Union, he played Raymond ‘Ray’ Adams, a man caught up in a scheme to smooth out Eva Dandridge’s overbearing tendencies. He is hired by his old friend to seduce Eva and convince her to move away from her sisters’ relationships. However, in an interesting twist, he unexpectedly falls for her. Not many rappers get to be leading men in romantic comedies, but LL Cool J delivers in this role.
Known for his thought-provoking lyrics and smooth delivery, Common took a leading role in the rom-com Just Wright. Playing alongside Queen Latifah, he took on the role of Scott McKnight, a basketball player recovering from an injury. While going through physiotherapy sessions with Leslie Wright (Latifah), McKnight finds himself falling for her. Common is one of the most notable rappers turned actors, with a healthy catalog of diverse roles.
Idris Elba
While it may come as a shocker to some, Idris Elba has actually been rapping since the 2000s. Over the years, he has also made a name for himself in the film and television industry. A prominent figure in Hollywood, he has been a leading man in many movies. Unsurprisingly, he is among the list of rappers who have starred in romantic comedies. He portrayed a single father of three daughters in the Tyler Perry film, Daddy’s Little Girls (2007). He had great chemistry with Gabrielle Union who played Julia Rossmore, his love interest.
Love Don’t Cost A Thing was released on December 12, 2003. Featuring Nick Cannon and Christina Milian in lead roles, the movie is a remake of Can’t Buy Me Love (1987). It was released just days after Nick Cannon’s eponymous debut album dropped, and helped boost his popularity. Despite low ratings, the movie was a favorite among young audiences, and made Cannon a heartthrob. Additionally, the chemistry between the two leads was great, even leading to a romantic relationship after the film.
It’s not very often romantic comedies feature multiple rappers. However, the 2002 classic, Brown Sugar, does that, and utilizes the Hip Hop stars excellently. As aforementioned, Queen Latifah appears in the film. However, Black Star’s Yasiin Bey (then known as Mos Def) also stars in Brown Sugar. While he does not play a lead role, Bey completely embodies the supporting character he portrays. Besides Latifah and Bey, many other Hip Hop stars appear in the film, but they do so as themselves. These include Big Daddy Kane, De La Soul, Method Man, and Slick Rick, among many others.
New Orleans JazzFest is returning this year, with The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, The Killers, Queen Latifah, and Hozier set to headline the event. It will run on two different weekends: April 25 to 28 and May 2 to 5.
Vampire Weekend, Big Freedia, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Celebrating Jimmy Buffett with the Coral Reefer Band, and many more will be appearing at the festival, too.
Here’s what to know about getting tickets for those interested in going.
When Do New Orleans JazzFest 2024 Tickets Go On Sale?
Tickets for this year’s New Orleans JazzFest are currently on sale now, with Early Bird pricing available. There are several different passes. General Admission starts at $240 for the 3-Day second weekend pass. There are also 4-Day options for either festival weekend.
The GA+ passes only offer 4-Day weekend options, and these start at $499. It includes private restrooms and beverage stands.
Finally, JazzFest is offering many different VIP packages. The Big Chief VIP ticket starts at $1,700, with access to private viewing areas at the festival, and the option to upgrade for shuttle access. The Grand Marshal VIP pack starts at $1,750, which gives ticketholders access to a hospitality tent and other exclusive perks. Finally, the Krewe of JazzFest option starts at $925.
For more information, visit JazzFest’s official website.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
1st Weekend 4-Day (April 25, 26, 27, 28): Early Bird Ticket ($290) or Advance Ticket ($320)
2nd Weekend 4-Day (May 2, 3, 4, 5): Early Bird Ticket ($465) or Advance Ticket ($495)
2nd Weekend 3-Day (May 3, 4, 5): Early Bird Ticket ($240) or Advance Ticket ($270)
GA+ 4-Day 1st Weekend: Early Bird Ticket ($499) or Advance Ticket ($549)
GA+ 4-Day 2nd Weekend: Early Bird Ticket ($749) or Advance Ticket ($799)
Additionally, there are two VIP packages: Big Chief and Grand Marshal. The base price for the Big Chief VIP 1st weekend is $1,850, while Big Chief VIP 2nd Weekend starts at $2,550. There is a 2nd Weekend 3-Day option with a base price of $1,700, but VIP parking and VIP shuttles are no longer available.
Similarly, Grand Marshal VIP is separated into 1st Weekend ($1,750 base price) and 2nd Weekend ($2,350 base price).
All of those ticket packages are currently on sale, and single-day tickets are expected to become available in February.
See the lineup poster below.
New Orleans JazzFest 2024 lineup poster
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Lil Wayne has been among the top-performing artists in rap for decades, and throughout that time he’s curated all kinds of friendships. As a Libra, it makes sense that his social circle is wide-spanning, and the “Lollipop” rapper rarely involves himself in beef. Instead, he likes to pour energy into expanding his massive discography, supporting the up-and-coming Young Money artists, and spending time with his children. Most recently, Weezy brought a few of his sons to sit courtside while the Lakers were playing. Earlier this month it was Kameron and Reginae Carter supporting the team from their coveted seats, but earlier this week he brought out 15-year-old Dwayne and 13-year-old Neal to join him.
Having a famous father comes with plenty of perks (such as frequent courtside seats), including meeting his array of friends. While sitting with Wayne, his teenage boys were lucky enough to cross paths with Queen Latifah, who confidently shook both of their hands. The Hairspray actress looked comfortable but classy in her black sweatsuit, slicked-back bun, and large hoop earrings. The Carter family was looking fresh too, clearly taking after Wayne’s bold style already.
As the video is circulating online, some are calling out Neal and Dwayne for not standing up to address Latifah. “My kids would have stood up for the Queen,” one user quipped under @HipHopDX’s post. “Them kids don’t even know how historic of a hand they were shaking, smh,” another chimed in, suggesting that Weezy’s kids are lacking in their hip-hop history knowledge.
Even if Lil Wayne’s sons are ignorant of Queen Latifah’s legacy, as social media seems to suspect, she’s still been getting plenty of flowers as of late. In 2023 she became the first-ever femcee to be honoured by the Kennedy Center, at which time Missy Elliott and Rapsodyheadlined her tribute show. Read more about that iconic moment at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
On this date in 1992, Paramount Pictures presented the highly anticipated hood flick Juice, which stars a still rising rap star by the name of Tupac Shakur, who plays a crooked crimie from Uptown by the name of “Bishop”.
His co-star, Omar Epps(Higher Learning, In Too Deep), plays a local DJ with industry potential named “GQ”, alongside Jermaine “Huggy” Hopkins(Lean On Me) and Khalil Kain, who all form a loosely knit crew of truants who are headed in the wrong direction.
This movie was very instrumental in bringing Hip Hop artists onto the silver screen, with cameo appearances from Treach of Naughty By Nature, Queen Latifah, EPMD’s DJ Scratch and Special Ed. Juice also helped to introduce the soundtrack as a way to market movies for larger budgets.
For those who never took notice, it wasn’t until after ‘Pac made everyone love to hate his character Bishop that Shakur’s run-ins with the law became more frequent and his “Thug Life” persona became more noticeable and for its own intent, purposeful. Many will say that it was life imitating art. Some will say that this was the real Tupac; he was just being filmed.
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.
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.
There have always been women at the forefront of hip-hop’s 50-year reign over pop culture, and perhaps none is more iconic than Queen Latifah. The “U-N-I-T-Y” rapper is widely acknowledged as one of the genre’s greatest of all time, and last night at the Kennedy Center Honors, she received loving tributes from some of her most iconic peers and proteges.
First up, Missy Elliott repaid Latifah for her touching Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction speech introduction, recalling hearing “Ladies First” for the first time as a teenager and having her life changed by Latifah’s “Queen” moniker and positive messaging.
Then, there were performances. Queen Latifah’s fellow hip-hop pioneers MC Lyte and Monie Love performed her signature hit “Ladies First,” with Lyte taking over Latifah’s verses and Monie performing her own.
Rapsody then performed one of Latifah’s best, but most underrated songs, “Just Another Day…” (Would have been cool if she performed “Hatshepsut,” the song on which they collaborated from Rap’s 2019 album Eve, but extra light being shed on the smooth Black Reign cut is never a bad thing.)
The Kennedy Center Honors simply seal a legendary legacy which includes such accolades as Grammys, Emmys, and Oscar nominations, as well as roles ranging acting to heading one of hip-hop’s first women-led labels. She is, indeed, an icon and a queen.
Last night (December 27), the 46th Kennedy Center Honors event aired on CBS, showcasing tributes to Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick, Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, Billy Crystal, and opera singer Renée Fleming. Many other fabulous musicians appeared to perform dedications for the honorees.
However, for those who might have missed being able to catch it on TV, here’s what to know about how to watch it now.
How To Stream The 2023 Kennedy Center Honors
Following the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors airing on CBS, the special is currently available to stream on Paramount+. And if you don’t have the streaming platform already, there is a current loophole to get around paying for a subscription. As Rolling Stone notes, they are currently offering a free trial for a month by using the promo code “BUTTERS” — a South Park reference.
Some key moments from the event included Chloe Bailey (“Walk On By”), Cynthia Erivo (“Alfie”), and Gladys Knight (“Say A Little Prayer”) honoring Warwick with their song choices. Missy Elliott and Rapsody appeared to support Queen Latifah. Dove Cameron, Tituss Burgess, and Christine Baranski performed selections from musicals for Fleming’s segment.
Michael Bublé, Little Big Town, Ben Platt, and Ariana DeBose treated the crowd to different Bee Gees songs. Finally, Lin-Manuel Miranda helped honor Crystal. Individual clips of some of the event can also be found on The Kennedy Center’s website.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
