Queen Latifah's Bold Stride in Black Reign
Honoring Queen Latifah’s contribution to hip-hop with Black Reign.
The artistic contributions of Queen Latifah have left an enduring impression on the fabric of hip-hop. With her debut, All Hail the Queen, in 1989, she came on the scene with the empowering anthem “Ladies First,” which has since become a cornerstone of Black feminist expression within the genre. Her subsequent album, Nature of a Sista, saw her experiment with a more pop-infused blend of hip-hop and R&B. Despite its forward-thinking sound, it did not achieve the commercial success anticipated, leading to her departure from Tommy Boy Records. However, Motown Records’ Jheryl Busby recognized her potential and eagerly offered her a new partnership.
As Latifah’s influence expanded across music and television with her role in Fox’s Living Single and film, the cultural shifts within the Black community were paralleled by personal tragedy—the loss of her brother—a catalyst for change in her life and work. Her Arabic name, meaning “delicate, gentle, or sensitive,” belied the assertive stance she would take amidst the discord within hip-hop culture. She once remarked on her readiness to use strong language, if necessary, to convey her message.
The release of Black Reign in 1993 marked a significant pivot in Latifah’s musical direction. With contributions from producers Kay Gee (Naughty by Nature), S.I.D., and Tony Dofat, this project embraced a rawer street sensibility that contrasted sharply with her earlier Daisy Age aesthetic. The album is characterized by its unyielding beats and dense basslines, devoid of the hip-house stylings found in previous works. It presents Latifah at her most accessible, delivering melodic hooks over robust loops—a true highlight in her discography.
Addressing profound personal loss through art is a formidable challenge for any creative individual. For Latifah, it meant shedding any restraint and confronting societal issues head-on—most notably sexism. In response to the pervasive misogynoir, she crafted the incisive track “U.N.I.T.Y.” Its potent lyrics and deft sampling resonated powerfully, making it one of the year’s standout tracks. The song sparked conversations about the mistreatment of women and became Latifah’s most successful solo single, achieving remarkable chart positions for a woman rapper at that time.
Latifah further demonstrated versatility with “Just Another Day…,” the second single from Black Reign. Eschewing her royal persona, she offered an authentic glimpse into her community’s daily struggles set against Herb Alpert’s “Making Love in the Rain.” This sober reflection did not detract from the album’s vibrancy; instead, it underscored its thematic gravity. Another memorable moment comes with “Black Hand Side,” which juxtaposes its tough exterior with an underlying warmth, inviting listeners to find joy even amid adversity.
Her vocal presence commands respect independently of her lyrical content. Tracks such as “Black Hand Side” and “Bring the Flavor” showcase her unmatched delivery, while freestyles like “No Work” and “Just a Flow” reveal her natural flair for rhythm and rhyme. These moments offer a counterbalance to the more disciplined messages elsewhere on the album, highlighting her multifaceted talent as an artist who can inspire both thought and celebration.
Queen Latifah’s proficiency in rap was undeniably on par with her male counterparts. Yet, she demonstrated an ability to engage in lyrical combat when necessary. On the 1991 track “Big Mama,” something provoked Roxanne Shante to assert her dominance over other female emcees such as Yo-Yo, Salt-N-Pepa, MC Lyte, Monie Love, and particularly Latifah herself. In a bold move, Shante positioned herself as the original “first lady” of rap, referencing her emergence with “Roxanne’s Revenge” at the tender age of 14. Latifah’s retort was sharp; she suggested that Shante had not made any significant contributions to the music scene since her early teens, dedicating an entire verse of “I Can’t Understand” to address this discord.
In her work, Queen Latifah adeptly balanced toughness with sensuality. Her approach to romance and intimacy was evident in tracks like Nature’s “How Do I Love Thee.” She also guided approaching women with assurance in “Superstar,” highlighting common missteps by men. The fourth single, “Weekend Love,” infused with tropical R&B and dancehall elements courtesy of Tony Rebel, managed to maintain harmony with the album’s more robust hip-hop beats. “Mood Is Right” further showcased Latifah’s allure and readiness for love.
Addressing social issues was also integral to Latifah’s narrative. During a time when the AIDS epidemic was significantly impacting the Black community, she took a responsible stance on promoting safe sex through her music, much like Salt-N-Pepa did with their hit “Let’s Talk About Sex.” In “Coochie Bang,” Latifah dispensed some of her most astute lyrics to advocate for protection during intimate encounters.
Black Reign achieved notable commercial success, reaching #60 on Billboard 200 and #15 on the R&B charts. It marked a milestone as the first gold-certified album by a female rapper. Its standout track, “U.N.I.T.Y.,” earned Best Rap Solo Performance honors from the Recording Academy—a category that at that time wasn’t even broadcasted during the ceremony.
Queen Latifah has since evolved into a figure recognized for her acting chops, philanthropic efforts, and business acumen. New admirers may only now be uncovering her roots as an exceptional rapper. Although it took years of therapy for her to come to terms with her past and forgive herself, she continued to break ground as the first hip-hop artist honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006. While she may not wear Lance’s key as frequently as before, her influence and legacy persist—the reign never truly fades.