Queen Latifah, MC Lyte & More Celebrate “Ladies First” On ‘Songs That Shook America’

Hip Hop royalty will take an in-depth look at the women’s empowerment themed single from the 1980s.

(AllHipHop News) This year saw an undeniable resurgence of female rappers. Missy Elliott, Lil Kim, Trina, Lizzo, Rico Nasty, Megan Thee Stallion, Iggy Azalea, Rapsody, Kash Doll, Young M.A, Dreezy, Little Simz, and Doja Cat all released projects in 2019. Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, and City Girls also made the Hot 100 chart.

Before multiple women of Hip Hop earned their way back into the general public’s consciousness over the last 12 months, pioneers were laying the groundwork decades ago. For example, Queen Latifah teamed with Monie Love for the 1989 rap anthem “Ladies First.”

Latifah will look back at the impact of the All Hail the Queen track on the next episode of Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America. “Ruffneck” rhymer MC Lyte, former Tommy Boy Records president Monica Lynch, and more are set to join the New Jersey native as commentators for the AMC docuseries.

Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America is executive produced by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, and Alex Gibney. Previous editions covered OutKast’s “Elevators (Me & You),” MC Shan’s “The Bridge,” and other classic rap records.

“Ladies First: 1989” featuring Queen Latifah premieres Sunday, November 17 at 12 am ET/PT. All full episodes of Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America will be available on amc.com beginning November 18.