Queen Latifah feels that Missy Elliott, Rapsody, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, and Monie Love are amongst her “heroes of Hip-Hop” following their homage at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors.
Elliott applauded Queen in a speech where she reviewed the value of the latter’s music and message throughout her youth. “During a time that we kept hearing, ‘It’s a male’s world.’ She was stating [“Ladies First”] unapologetically, altering the narrative right there,” gushed the 52-year-old. “Something that I was so familiar with hearing, now I’m hearing ‘Ladies initially.’ And after that, I sat there and stated, ‘Who is this lady?’ And I took a look at the bottom of the screen and it stated, ‘Queen Latifah.’ Not Latifah, however Queen Latifah.”
The “Supa Dupa Fly” rap artist started preaching, “That not just stated ‘you will appreciate me’– Get into it now [but] I will be a leader, a supplier, a motivation to lots of. I will be the plan to success. I will not simply belong to the culture; I’ll be royalty to the culture. I will not set the bar. I am the bar. Let it marinade […] What Queen Latifah has actually taught us is unity, to think in yourself, and to enjoy a Black female from infinity to infinity.”
Later on at night, The Clark Sisters commemorated the Simply Wright starlet with a collection of gospel classics consisting of “You Brought The Sunshine.” Queen stated she was “surprised” by their efficiency considering she was playing The Clark Sisters to soothe her nerves before the event. Rapsody carried out “Just Another Day” and Monie Love was signed up with by Lyte, Yo-Yo, and viral feeling Van to carry out Queen’s signature gem, “Ladies First,” with D-Nice on the turntables.
When reviewing the honor, Queen Latifah stated, “I’m part of a really, extremely unique group of individuals, however I’m really happy to be part of it since Hip-Hop belongs to American culture and I’m delighted to be the very first to represent the ladies. And once again, I wish to not be the last.”
