Queen Latifah Welcomed Tributes From Her “Heroes Of Hip-Hop” At 2023 Kennedy Center Honors

Queen Latifah feels that Missy Elliott, Rapsody, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, and Monie Love are among her “heroes of Hip-Hop” following their tribute at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors.

Elliott praised Queen in a speech where she reflected on the importance of the latter’s music and message during her youth. “During a time that we kept hearing, ‘It’s a man’s world.’ She was saying [“Ladies First”] unapologetically, changing the narrative right there,” gushed the 52-year-old. “Something that I was so accustomed to hearing, but now I’m hearing ‘Ladies first.’ And then, I sat there and said, ‘Who is this girl?’ And I looked at the bottom of the screen and it said, ‘Queen Latifah.’ Not Latifah, but Queen Latifah.”

The “Supa Dupa Fly” rapper began preaching, “That not only said ‘you will respect me’—Get into it now [but] I will be a leader, a provider, an inspiration to many. I will be the blueprint to success. I won’t just be part of the culture; I’ll be royalty to the culture. I won’t set the bar. I am the bar. Let it marinate […] What Queen Latifah has taught us is unity, to believe in yourself, and to love a Black woman from infinity to infinity.”

Later in the evening, The Clark Sisters celebrated the Just Wright actress with a medley of gospel classics including “You Brought The Sunshine.” Queen said she was “shocked” by their performance considering she was playing The Clark Sisters to calm her nerves before the ceremony. Rapsody performed “Just Another Day” and Monie Love was joined by Lyte, Yo-Yo, and viral sensation Van Van to perform Queen’s signature gem, “Ladies First,” with D-Nice on the turntables.

When reflecting on the honor, Queen Latifah said, “I’m part of a very, very special group of people, but I’m very proud to be part of it because Hip-Hop is part of American culture and I’m happy to be the first to represent the women. And again, I hope to not be the last.”