The Roots Picnic has been a staple of the band’s hometown, Philadelphia since 2008, bringing guests from across the spectrum of their collaborators and friends to Penn’s Landing. For those of us on the West Coast, though, the exciting festival has been a little difficult to attend. That all changes next year, when The Roots bring The Roots Picnic to LA, thanks to the Hollywood Bowl. Roots Picnic: Hip-Hop Is The Love Of My Life will take place on Saturday, June 29, along with special guests Arrested Development, Black Sheep, Common, Digable Planets, The Pharcyde, Queen Latifah, and more. Tickets for the event go on sale Thursday, December 14, at 10 AM PT at hollywoodbowl.com. The full Hollywood Bowl 2024 season will be announced in February 2024.
For the most part, The Roots have been busy as the house band of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (who helped keep their friendship tight), but individual members like Questlove and Black Thought have been busy with endeavors ranging from memoirs (see Uproxx’s interview with Black Thought about The Upcycled Selfhere) to planning the Grammys’ Hip-Hop 50 tribute (which he says caused him to lose some teeth). Quest is also set to direct Disney’s live-action remake of The Aristocats.
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.
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.
On this date in 1989, Dana Owens aka Queen Latifah dropped her first full-length studio album All Hail The Queen on the now-defunct Tommy Boy Records.
As the first artist on N.J. based Flavor Unit collective, Latifah filled a void for female emcees with her regal appearance and her commanding rhyme style, which at that time, was only rivaled by the males. Social consciousness, African awareness, and civilization were at the forefront of Latifah’s image and music, thus, the album’s title, All Hail The Queen.
The songs that led and propelled the album’s momentum include the lead single, “Wrath Of My Madness,” which was actually released the year before the album dropped and “Ladies First,” an anthem celebrating femininity within Hip Hop culture, while introducing a British accented Monie Love spitting a verse alongside Latifah.
Salute to Queen Latifah, Shakim, Mark The 45 King(RIP) and the rest of the Flavor Unit for this timeless piece of Hip Hop history!
Queen Latifah’s 1993 album Black Reign stands as a landmark in hip-hop. It highlighted her role as a rapper and a powerful voice for social commentary and empowerment. Her third studio album, Black Reign, significantly evolved her artistic journey, blending assertive rap with soulful melodies and jazz-infused beats. In this album, Queen Latifah solidified her status as a trailblazer in hip-hop. She used her platform to address issues of gender, race, and identity.
Black Reign was more than just a musical project. It was a statement of Queen Latifah’s multifaceted talent and commitment to uplifting and empowering her listeners. The album resonated with audiences who sought music with depth and authenticity. It also helped establish Latifah as an icon in hip-hop and beyond.
Black Reign: A Confluence Of Styles & Substance
Black Reign emerged as a pivotal album in Queen Latifah’s career, showcasing her distinctive approach to music that seamlessly blended rap with jazz and soul influences. The album’s production provided the perfect backdrop for Latifah’s commanding vocals and insightful lyricism.
The album’s standout track, “U.N.I.T.Y.,” became an anthem for women’s empowerment and respect, addressing issues of objectifying women and domestic violence with poignant clarity. Its direct and powerful message made it a landmark song in hip-hop, transcending genre boundaries. The track’s commercial success and critical acclaim underscored the importance of socially conscious themes in music.
Other tracks on the album, such as “Just Another Day…” and “Weekend Love,” highlighted Queen Latifah’s versatility as an artist. These songs showcased her ability to infuse storytelling with personal and communal narratives, resonating with listeners from diverse backgrounds. The fusion of rap with elements of R&B and jazz throughout the album not only showcased Latifah’s range as a musician but contributed to the broader evolution of hip-hop during the early ’90s.
Chart Triumph & Critical Acclaim
Queen Latifah’s Black Reign marked a high creative point in her career and achieved significant commercial success. The album’s standout single, “U.N.I.T.Y.,” propelled it into the spotlight, earning a spot in the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and solidifying its place in hip-hop history. The album strongly showed on the charts, reflecting the broad appeal of Latifah’s artistry.
Beyond its commercial achievements, Black Reign received widespread critical acclaim for its thoughtful blend of social commentary and musical innovation. Critics praised the album for its empowering messages and Latifah’s skillful delivery, highlighting her as a force to be reckoned with in the industry. The album’s blend of rap, soul, and jazz elements was particularly lauded, seen as a refreshing and authentic approach in a rapidly evolving genre.
Black Reign was more than just a successful album. It was a cultural statement. Tracks like “U.N.I.T.Y.” struck a chord with listeners and critics alike, earning Queen Latifah a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. The album’s success and acclaim solidified her status as a talented musician and an influential voice in the conversation about gender and race in America.
The Enduring Legacy Of Black Reign
The lasting impact of Queen Latifah’s Black Reign is evident in its enduring influence on the hip-hop genre and its role in shaping the narrative around social issues in music. The album marked a significant moment in Queen Latifah’s career. It transcended the traditional boundaries of hip-hop to deliver messages of empowerment and social justice that continue to resonate.
Black Reign is celebrated for its musical innovation and contribution to the discourse on gender and empowerment in hip-hop. Queen Latifah’s fearless approach to addressing topics like respect for women and personal identity in her music inspired a generation of artists and listeners. Her ability to blend these themes with a unique musical style set a new standard for what hip-hop could achieve as a platform for social commentary.
Furthermore, the album solidified Queen Latifah’s reputation as a trailblazer in the music industry. Her success with Black Reign paved the way for other women artists in hip-hop. It challenged the genre’s conventions and opened doors for more diverse voices. Today, Black Reign is regarded as a seminal work. It is a testament to Queen Latifah’s artistic talent and importance as a cultural icon.
Reflecting on Black Reign, its significance extends beyond its initial release. The album remains a pivotal work in Queen Latifah’s discography. Further, it’s a touchstone in the evolution of hip-hop, continuing to inspire and empower.
The documentaries, events, and televised performances commemorating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary have given the culture’s pioneers with their long-deserved flowers. On Friday, November 3, Missy Elliott added another milestone to the culture’s impact after becoming the first female rapper to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
During the ceremony, Queen Latifah took the stage at the Barclays Center to introduce her longtime friend. “Trust me, nothing sounded the same after Missy came on the scene,”said Latifah. “Nothing….everything changed – the bass lines changed, the pockets changed, the cadence, the writing. And that’s because Missy has always been a futurist, someone who’s always looking ahead.”
During Missy’s speech, she referred to several of the genre’s trailblazers, including Flavor Flav, Pepa (Salt-N-Pepa), and her longtime friend and collaborator Timbaland.
“There’s so many of y’all that are so legendary in here,” Elliott told the crowd. “This is the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. And so this is deeper than me just being up here. I was telling Robin [Roberts], you just feel like it’s so far to reach when you in the hip-hop world, and to be standing here, it means so much to me.”
For her live set, Missy performed a medley of her hits “Get Ur Freak Out,” “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” “Work It,” “Pass That Dutch,” and “Lose Control.”
This week podcaster DJ Akademiks got dragged online by openly gay rapper Saucy Santana as he defended his close friend City Girls rapper Yung Miami. The rapper also noted that the podcaster spends time degrading and black women but doesn’t treat men the same way. Santana even defended Glorilla who DJ Academics welcomed to a fight.
In defense of black women once again the legendary Queen Latifah calls out Akademiks for his double standard.
“IT’S CRAZY TO ME HOW DJ AKADEMIKS IS CRYING SCARED TO SAY ANYTHING TO SAUCY SANTANA BECAUSE HE’S A GAY MAN AND HE’S SCARED OF GETTING “CANCELLED” BUT HAS SAID SOME OF THE MOST OUTLANDISH, VILE, DISRESPECTFUL AND DEMEANING THINGS TO BLACK WOMEN WITH ABSOLUTELY NO FEAR WHATSOEVER.. Pri. BRINGS ME BACK TO MALCOLM X’S QUOTE.. THE MOST DISRESPECTED, UNPROTECTED AND NEGLECTED PERSON IS AMERICA IS THE BLACK WOMAN!”
Despite former board member Jann Wenner’s disgusting remarks, the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony is tuned to be a true headbanger. In May, the inductees class, which features Kate Bush, Rage Against The Machine, the late George Michael, Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, and the Spinners, was announced. Shortly after, the live entertainment for the broadcast was unveiled, but today (October 24), that list has grown. Here is the complete list of performers for the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction.
Inductees Nelson, Crow, and Missy have confirmed they’ll hit the stage. In addition to their sets, Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, HER, New Edition, St. Vincent, Stevie Nicks, Adam Levine, Carrie Underwood, Common, Ice-T, LL Cool J, Miguel, Queen Latifah, and Sia will perform.
Outside of the performances and inductions, several impactful musicians will be acknowledged during the ceremony, including Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, and Bernie Taupin, who will be awarded the Musical Excellence Award. At the same time, DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray will be bestowed with the Musical Influence Award. Lastly, the Soul Train host Don Cornelius will posthumously receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony will be held on November 3 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. For the first time in the ceremony’s history, it will be broadcast live on Disney+. Find more information here.
Audible announced that Will Smith will be hosting his podcast titled Class of ’88, which will delve into the origins and influence of hip-hop. The podcast will feature guests like Queen Latifah, Chuck D, Jazzy Jeff, and more. Audible Presents: ‘Class Of 88,’ Hosted By Will Smith On September 21, Audible, the online audiobook and […]
On Wednesday, September 20, Jada Pinkett Smith posted throwback videos of her and Tupac during their junior year of high school as a way to promote her forthcoming memoir, Worthy. In the clips, Pinkett Smith and the late Tupac are performing to Will Smith’s “Parents Just Don’t Understand” with DJ Jazzy Jeff from 1988.
This morning, September 21, Smith revealed plans to explore that time period even more thoroughly with his Class Of ’88 podcast. According to Billboard, Smith “will celebrate 1988 hip-hop with episodes alongside Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Rakim, and Chuck D.”
The publication additionally relayed, “Smith will explore the landmark year of 1988, which included the rise of Public Enemy, the ascension of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, and the outpouring of female MCs such as Salt-N-Pepa and Queen Latifah.”
The Wondery podcast will last for eight episodes. Beginning on October 26, Class Of ’88 will be available exclusively on Amazon Music and Audible. Amazon Prime members can listen to the podcast’s trailer here.
“Today, hip-hop dominates pop culture,” Smith says to start the trailer. “But it wasn’t always like that. Before 1988, a lot of people saw our music as just a passing fad.”
The nearly two-minute audio trailer also includes excerpted perspectives from Smith’s A-list guests, including Queen Latifah recalling, “[Hip-hop] had an expiration date, like milk. That’s what they were saying.”
In 1988, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince released He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper, housing “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” The track claimed the first-ever Best Rap Performance at the 1989 Grammys, which DJ Jazzy Jeff and Smith boycotted because the category wasn’t televised (as revisited by Andscape in January 2018).
This week, the ladies have been solidifying their places in the industry. Megan Thee Stallion is set to star in Netflix’s Big Mouth, Lil Kim graces the cover of EBONY Magazine, Coco Jones adds Baltimore to her What I Didn’t Tell You Tour Part II Tour, and more. Lil Kim Graces The Cover Of EBONY […]
