queen latifah
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Source: handout / Lady Luck
In the pulsating heart of Hip-Hop where lyricism reigns supreme and storytelling is an art form, few voices resonate with the raw, unapologetic power of Lady Luck.
A lyrical force, she strides through the music scene like a queen. From the battleground to the underground and the mainstream; her rhymes cut through the noise with razor-sharp precision. As we sit down with this fearless lyricist, we unravel the layers of her journey and delve into the mind of Lady Luck, where every word is a testament to her unwavering spirit and unmatched talent.
Lady Luck’s evolution in music is a testament to her resilience and growth as an artist. From the fierce and now legendary battles between herself and Remy Ma, where she honed her skills and made her mark, to the more reflective and positive messaging we hear in her latest single, “Praise”, her journey has been transformative. The tragic loss of her mother served as a catalyst, prompting Lady Luck to channel her pain into her music, using her platform to spread messages of hope, empowerment and self-discovery. This shift in focus showcases her versatility as an artist and highlights her ability to turn personal tragedy into a beacon of light for others.
Hip-Hop Wired: We know you are a vet in the game, but to kick things off let’s talk about your female Rap influences. Who are the top five that influenced you to pick up the mic?
Lady Luck: Oh wow, I’m a little biased because I feel like my top five should be everyone’s top five [laughs], but I would say it’s Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Da Brat, loved Da Brat, and Nikki D. Of course, Nikki D, we can’t forget her, but can I get some honorable mentions? Because I want to add Lady of Rage, Roxanne Shante and Antionette. I mean I have some honorable mentions for all of the girls who poured into me, pause. [laughs]
I understand because when it comes down to influences, narrowing it down to just five can be hard because there are so many great artists.
Like The Sequence, for instance. They were the first female Rap group signed by my aunt, Sylvia [Robinson], and Angie Stone is in the group, only then she was known as Angie B. She was also my godmother at that time.
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As a battle rapper whose previous ongoing battle against Remy Ma is now considered infamous, how do you feel about the hate female rappers receive for verbally sparring like their male counterparts?
It’s like that all the time, but that is rooted in gender inequality. No different than when a woman speaks up for herself, she’s considered “bitchy,” but you learn that it’s part of it. I personally appreciate everything the girls are doing and shaking up s–t. I appreciate Nicki and Megan and Drake versus everybody, I almost want to get in on it. [laughs]
Being a veteran MC who has learned to navigate and flow with the current music, how do you feel about the current state of culture and the wave of new artists collaborating with vets as a way to pay homage to those they were inspired by?
I think it’s dope and the first time we have seen something like this in the industry at this rate. Like shout out to Coi Leray for teaming up with Busta [Rhymes]; the fact he is still on fire is dope. I love it. I love that the lines are blurred with the internet because I believe it’s a gift and a curse. Yeah, anyone can drop an album, but anyone can drop an album so it’s the power that’s there too. Look at Hit-Boy, his father came home from jail and started dropping that old-school heat–people enjoyed it.
One thing I love about you as an artist is that you always highlight the artists that you are listening to and shine a light on those you feel need to be seen. Who are some new artists you are checking for and would like to collaborate with?
I’m really bad with names because I smoke so much weed. [laughs] So when this question comes up I always remember someone I should have mentioned later, but Lola Brooke for sure. A lot of artists I hear on Sirius Mixtape Radio because it’s my go-to. Steff-G, she’s definitely on my radar. It’s just so many dope people out there right now, shout out to anybody who’s not giving up.
Speaking of not giving up, over the years you have made a few interesting transitions as an artist. We have seen you go from gutter and gritty, to sexy, to empowering and now seemingly an elevated conscious state. I know you attribute that to the recent passing of your mother–but you have a very masterful way of channeling life into your art.
I just been through hell man; I don’t look like what I’ve been through. It’s funny, I was telling my wife the same thing, that I may look like I am strong and not going to break down, but there are moments I want to break down. But know I can’t. I honestly feel like there’s more to life than what “they” are telling us like we are a lot more special and advanced than we are led to believe. So I have been looking for truth honestly–that’s how I got cool with Forbidden Knowlege and did projects with him because I want to know more. I don’t want to just be in the matrix promoting violence and on a lower frequency anymore. There’s so much more and I want to find out.
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I saw that you recently posted your recipe for plant-based General Tso chick’n, is veganism a part of the new journey?
Yeah, we were trying something different with cooking up mushrooms. We are actually about to start a podcast about cooking up mushrooms in different ways. I’m not a vegan yet, but I am working on getting away from eating chicken and meat so much because I love mushrooms, and it’s much cleaner.
With so many things going on, is there anything else we should be on the lookout for?
I am in New Jersey working on a street renaming for my mother. We are in the early stages, so be on the lookout for more details about Donna Lee’s Way coming soon. Also, we got my shades lines, Sundai Wear, and we got our new artist, DollyB, going crazy and my new album, The Human Experience. I am working with a bunch of great artists and dope producers so be sure to check that out.
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Multi-hyphenate entertainer Queen Latifah will once again host the NAACP Image Awards, which is set to air in two weeks on BET.
On Tuesday (March 5), the NAACP along with BET and CBS announced that Queen Latifah will be back to host the esteemed 55th NAACP Image Awards. The prestigious ceremony will air live on BET and be simulcast on Saturday, March 16 at 8:00 P.M. ET. The Grammy Award-winning musician, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award-winning actor and producer hosted the event last year and recently received the Governor’s Award in addition to kicking off the fourth season of her highly acclaimed CBS series The Equalizer which she stars in and produces.
The award-winning writer and poet Amanda Gorman, who performed at the inauguration of President Joe Biden, will be presented with the Chairman’s Award which honors those who use their platforms to effect positive change. Creative director and designer June Ambrose, who has been a creative director at PUMA in addition to being responsible for many of the significant looks in Hip-Hop culture, will also be presented with the Vanguard Award at the Image Awards’ Fashion Show on Friday, March 15. Other honorees at the awards will be recognized in a non-televised separate dinner which will take place on March 14.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with groundbreaking megastar Queen Latifah and are elated to welcome her again as this year’s host! We also look forward to honoring changemaker and poet Amanda Gorman and fashion icon June Ambrose for their tremendous impact on culture,” said BET EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy director Connie Orlando. “Queen Latifah, NAACP, and Pastis have been such incredible partners in amplifying Black culture, excellence, creativity, and ingenuity, and this year’s unforgettable show will be no different.”
“The NAACP Image Awardsis an important celebration for our community and industry every year, the group’s President and CEO Derrick Johnson said. “We get the opportunity to highlight the major accomplishments of artists, writers, entertainers, activists, and other change makers that push Black excellence forward in a powerful way.” The 55th NAACP Image Awards will take place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. More information can be found on their website.
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The Grammy Awards aired a special tribute to Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary with a star-studded lineup that included Will Smith and Queen Latifah.
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On Sunday night (December 10), the Recording Academy and CBS aired A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop, a two-hour special dedicated to honoring the music and the culture that started in the Bronx in the early 1970s. The special was broadcast on CBS and showcased many of the legendary artists that made the culture what it is in medley performances, with Will Smith making a special appearance to reunite with DJ Jazzy Jeff for a performance as the Fresh Prince.
The pair were introduced by Questlove of The Roots. “In a year and a night full of hip-hop moments, this is a big one,” says Questlove who delved into their history. “I grew up idolizing these two from my hometown of Illadelpho. They were the first artist to ever receive a Grammy award for hip-hop. Back then, they weren’t invited to perform or accept their award on camera, which led to the hip-hop community sitting things out that year. But thankfully, a year later, their hip-hop invitation did show up and they did become the first hip-hop group to ever perform at the Grammy Awards.” The duo then captivated the crowd with a medley of their hits including “Brand New Funk” from their 1988 debut album and the theme song from Smith’s classic TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Other guests holding court on the mic at the event at Inglewood’s YouTube theater included Queen Latifah leading a medley of women in Hip-Hop, Public Enemy, Rakim, Doug E. Fresh, MC Lyte, Rick Ross, Jeezy, Jermaine Dupri, YG, Too Short, E-40, De La Soul, Akon, Black Thought, Nelly, Gunna and Chance the Rapper. Celebrities such as Regina King, Seth Rogen, and Lin-Manuel Miranda participated in introducing some of the medley performances during the special.
LL Cool J, who was an executive producer of the special along with Questlove and Shawn Gee of Two One Five Entertainment, Jesse Collins Entertainment, Dionne Harmon, Claudine Joseph, Fatima Robinson, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay expressed his gratitude for being part of making it happen. “We’re celebrating 50 years of hip-hop. The goal was always to elevate and really celebrate the culture,” he said.
A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop is currently available on demand at Paramount+.
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Queen Latifah thrilled the crowd at MetLife Stadium with her rendition of the National Anthem on Sunday night and sparked rave reviews online in the process.
The Emmy Award & Grammy Award-winning artist was on hand to perform the anthem before the New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday night (September 10th). Dressed in an immaculate all-white suit, Queen Latifah went into a classic rendition of the composition before the sold-out audience in the stadium as members of the New York Police Department and Fire Department stood behind her in tribute to those lives lost on 9/11.
https://x.com/NFL/status/1701030249402929506?s=20
The performance, which was nationally televised as part of NBC’s Sunday Night Football coverage, was interspersed with shots from the crowd and footage of the Statue of Liberty. The Newark, New Jersey native was greeted with hefty applause once she finished, and those watching online were also wowed.
Latifah’s performance even sparked a social media conversation as a Black conservative on X, formerly known as Twitter, shared an image from the performance with the caption “Last I heard, Queen Latifah was a rapper.” The comment brought swift rebuttals from many who pointed out a couple of the 53-year-old’s numerous musical achievements. “Queen Latifah literally sang the theme song on, “Living Single”, has two jazz albums, and has been in many a Broadway musical. You all cannot be serious,” wrote X user Kevikev in response.
https://x.com/KevCoke6/status/1701055277284352439?s=20
Queen Latifah has been a multi-hyphenate performer for decades. She earned two Grammy Award nominations for jazz albums – The Dana Owens Album in 2004, which debuted at No.16 on the Billboard 200 chart, and for Trav’lin’ Light in 2008. She also dazzled audiences in the 2002 motion picture adaptation of the musical Chicago as Matron “Mama” Morton, which got her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She’s been busy on the musical front as Hip-Hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, recently delivering a wonderful set at the Rock The Bells Festival in New York City last month which featured her singing as well as performing her hits like “U.N.I.T.Y.” with Monie Love onstage.
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The Grammy-nominated album, All Hail the Queen, by Queen Latifah has been selected for preservation at the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress.
The National Recording Registry aims to preserve music that “reflects our nation’s diverse culture.” Select recordings are added to the vast collection as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.
This week, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden named 25 recordings as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.
“The National Recording Registry preserves our history through recorded sound and reflects our nation’s diverse culture,” Hayden said in a statement. “The national library is proud to help ensure these recordings are preserved for generations to come, and we welcome the public’s input on what songs, speeches, podcasts or recorded sounds we should preserve next. We received more than 1,100 public nominations this year for recordings to add to the registry.”
In addition to the Queen’s debut album, this year’s list features selections by other powerful women as well. Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” and Mariah Carey’s seminal “All I Want for Christmas,” is also on the list. The Academy Award-winning song, “Flashdance…What a Feeling,” by the late Irene Cara was also selected in the 2023 class.
Queen Latifah was only 19 when she released her debut album, All Hail the Queen. The album was released on Tommy Boy Records and featured the hit singles, “Ladies First,” and “Come Into My House.” The album has been heralded for its woman-centric flow and positivity. In the statement, the Library of Congress noted that the album was celebrated for its ability to “cross genres including reggae, hip-hop, house and jazz — while also opening opportunities for other female rappers.” The album reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Recently, Latifah took to the stage at the Daisy Experience to honor the life and legacy of Dave Jolicoeur aka Trugoy The Dove of De La Soul.
Even more recently, the Queen was presented with a bouquet of roses at Usher’s Las Vegas residency show. Per the Huffington Post, the “Confessions” singer wrote in a now-deleted Instagram story, “Giving the queen her flowers.”
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