Top 7 Queen Latifah songs that showcase her iconic versatility

Dana Elaine Owens, known worldwide as Queen Latifah, is one of the few stars from hip-hop's golden era to mature and unfold beyond music.

While many artists stick to their original path, Queen Latifah has been constantly evolving, building a varied legacy that's hard to pin down. Starting in Newark, New Jersey, she began as a beatboxer and key part of the Flavor Unit, soon grabbing attention with her bold lyrical style on Wrath of My Madness.

Queen Latifah's 1989 album All Hail the Queen wasn't just another rap record, it proved that female MCs could lead with both command and brevity. With Ladies First, she helped kickstart feminist ideas in hip-hop, all while showing a calm and realness that drew people in right away. Her street-smart charm made her stand out, and by the early '90s, she wasn't just making hit songs; she was the star of TV shows and was also stealing the spotlight in big movies.

Queen Latifah's 1993 album, Black Reign, made her even more popular with the hit song U.N.I.T.Y. This song criticized hate and violence towards women with grace and power. Following this, she made a big move into TV and films. She was the main star in Living Single, took roles in big movies like Juice and Set It Off, and even got an Oscar nod for her role in Chicago.

Queen Latifah opened doors and paved the way for women in hip-hop, proving that they can transition seamlessly from hip-hop to mainstream pop culture without losing their edge.

Throughout her busy and varied career, Queen Latifah has received several honors, including Oscars for her work in both music and movies. She broke barriers and was one of the first women in rap to achieve mainstream success. A true pioneer, her music cannot be boxed into a single genre or style.

Her influence stretches way past just music.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. The reader's discretion is advised!

Here are the top 7 Queen Latifah songs of all time

The article lists the top 7 Queen Latifah songs, a combination showcasing her strong songwriting, bold self-expression, and ever-changing style. With a strong delivery, the message in the song directly hits you. She is blunt and demands respect, often highlighting the discrimination faced by women in hip-hop.

From the genuine portrayal of her hometown in Just Another Day to the fast-paced delivery yet comfort of It’s Alright, Queen Latifah's music often packs a powerful punch coupled with social commentary. With a catchy rhythm, the singer can transition seamlessly from a jazz-inspired song to pop.

1) Paper (1998)

Queen Latifah's Paper, from her 1998 album Order in the Court, tells a personal story that's different from what you'd expect in late-'90s hip-hop. DJ Premier produced the track, and the late Guru added scratches, creating a smooth, soulful sound that backs up Queen Latifah's raw storytelling. She sings about a woman who stays loyal to a partner who can't provide, showing how she values emotional strength over money.

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Queen Latifah sounds both open and strong when she sings, which fits well with the song's ballad-like structure. While Paper wasn't a huge hit, it made its mark, reaching number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 11 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Later, a remix with Mos Def was also released.

2) Go Head (2002)

Queen Latifah's Go Head is a song with a message of empowerment and freedom fused with style and confidence. The song does not take a soft or hidden approach, instead, the music is full of energy and spirit, which makes the message clearer. Queen Latifah doesn't just try to gently move people or women to speak up; instead, she commands them to stop waiting for approval and to 'go head' with whatever fuels their spirit and do what feels right to them.

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Women are pushed to break away from all the limitations and let the music dictate their decisions. The production is lively, anthem-like, and instantly makes the crowd pump up and follow along.

Queen Latifah isn't just trying to comfort everyone, but to get them to say what they want, boldly. As Go Head established itself as an anthem, her position as a leader in hip-hop, who stands up for women, was validated. Go Head gives you a little push and twenty seconds of courage on a rough day, to trust yourself and not forget your worth.

3) Court Is In Session (1998)

On Court Is In Session, Queen Latifah goes beyond rapping; she makes a powerful statement about her role in hip-hop history. Instead of just claiming superiority, she uses the song to question old-fashioned gender roles in rap, turning things around with confidence and grace.

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Queen Latifah rides the soulful beat of The Stylistics' People Make the World Go Round, spitting lyrics that break down male-focused stories boldly,

"I represent the female gender better than any man ever could".

Her performance shows off her lyrical skills and makes a cultural point, establishing her as a pioneer who changed what it means to be a woman in rap.

The song even has a rare verse from The Notorious B.I.G., one of the few collaborations released after his passing, attesting to the track's importance and respect. Overall, Court Is In Session doesn't just show off Queen Latifah's talents; it proves she's a big deal far beyond music, someone who changed the industry through her voice, ideas, and brave leadership.

4) Dance For Me (1989)

One of the singles, Dance For Me from Queen Latifah's debut album All Hail the Queen, was released in 1989. At a time when hip-hop spaces were completely male-driven, Latifah's single got noticed not only for her rapping but also for her powerful presence.

That song didn't climb super high on the Billboard Hot 100, but the video certainly helped in the ranking. The director of the music video, Marcus Raboy, demonstrated how Latifah could take hip-hop’s world by storm and make space for more people to get into it.

The unique music video, still talked about today, depicts the singer dancing with a group of breakdancers. In 1991, she was given a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for Dance for Me.

5) Ladies First (1989)

Dropping in 1989, Ladies First made a splash in hip-hop, not just as a song, but as a cultural shift. Queen Latifah and UK rapper Monie Love teamed up to flip the script in a world where guys often had the mic. D.J. Premier took care of the beats, while the duo penned the lyrics, packing them with punch and borrowing from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's The Message to keep it real.

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Instead of just pumping up one person, Ladies First called for women to band together, pushing for strength in numbers against big and small hurdles. Queen Latifah's boss presence on the track helped her break out of the rap box and make waves in showbiz at large. This wasn't just a hit, it turned into a battle cry. Women of all ages and backgrounds felt its power, showing that girl power and hip-hop could go hand in hand.

6) U.N.I.T.Y. (1993)

Queen Latifah's U.N.I.T.Y. is a game-changing anthem that tackles the abuse of women head-on using its message to protest and rally through collective power. Instead of just asking for respect, Queen Latifah turns the tables on hip-hop's often unfriendly portrayal of women. She delivers lyrics that speak against sexism, street harassment, and domestic violence with blunt honesty and command.

The song came out in 1993 and didn't just click with listeners - it also got major props. It won her a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance and got a nod for Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. But beyond the awards, what makes U.N.I.T.Y. stick around is how it insists that teamwork and mutual respect aren't just nice ideas, but must-haves for any real change.

Years later, its message still hits home across age groups, reminding people that empowerment starts with banding together.

7) Just Another Day (1993)

Just Another Day, belongs to Queen Latifah's 1993 album Black Reign. It paints a sincere and profound portrait of life in Newark, New Jersey. The song uses parts of Bill Withers' Ain’t No Sunshine and the lyrics are a rumination on the hard and sometimes scary life in Newark.

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Dionne Farris's strong hook makes Latifah's true-to-life words hit harder. It did not reach the top of the lists, but it still did well, getting to No. 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 19 on the R\&B/Hip-Hop chart. The video by Marcus Raboy, shot in Newark, exhibits the tough truth of the song.

Queen Latifah's music is characteristic of her evolving personality. Through her music, she has spoken out against the injustice she has faced within and outside of the music industry. In addition to opening doors for women in hip-hop, her influence can also be felt within the film and television industry.