When it comes to female MCs in the mainstream nowadays, there are a fair few to pick from, but it wasn’t always that way. Female MCs are often not taken that seriously until males approve them, so there was a drought in the culture for a long time. Not enough homage is paid nowadays to the likes of MC Sha-Rock, MC Lyte, Salt-N-Pepa and Queen Latifah—the females who paved the way for what we see today.
Queen Latifah has had an enormous run in her career and is a genuinely versatile woman. From being a gold-selling, Grammy-winning female rapper to an Oscar-nominated actor, there is no denying her talent.
The Newark native broke into the mainstream after the release of her first single, ‘Wrath of My Madness’ and with the backing of Tommy Boy Music, embarked on a European tour and even got to perform at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theatre. Latifah (real name Dana Owens) achieved fame fast and even entered the world of business.
In 1991, Latifah became the CEO of the Flavor Unit Records and Management Company. Only two years later, Owens had signed 17 rap groups, including the renowned R’n’B group Naughty by Nature. That same year, Queen Latifah released her album Black Reign, which boasted her legendary single ‘U.N.I.T.Y.’ which earned Latifah her first Grammy Award in 1995.
Queen Latifah has a number of different influences. However, she has several favourite tracks and in a 2009 interview with Oprah Magazine, she explained why she loves them.
Queen Latifah’s favourite albums ever:
Zero 7 – When It Falls, (2004)
“I probably listen to this band more than any other. They’re alternative—down-tempo electronica, but very warm sounding, with several different singers. I play them when I’m on the treadmill.”
Common – Finding Forever, (2007)
“Common’s got great stories, he’s spiritual, he can do an Afrocentric thing as well as straight hip-hop. This album puts me into a mood, and then gets deeper into that mood.”
Beyoncé – I Am…Sasha Fierce, (2008)
“People automatically go for the up-tempo, hip-hop, R&B stuff on this album, but she’s got some beautiful ballads on that lush first disc. It took me a while to be still enough to listen to the first half, but now I play it all the time.”
Horace Silver Quintet – Finger Poppin’, (1959)
“Some jazz is very abstract and eclectic, but this album is melodic and pace driven. It does get loose— they still do their improvised bebop solos—but it’s easy to follow. It just makes me feel good.”