Queen Latifah Was Out to Uplift Women With "Ladies First" in Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America Episode 6
"For me, in my heart, it was anthemic," says Queen Latifah in the Season Finale of Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America.
And "Ladies First" was indeed a rallying cry. In a time when the hip hop industry was pitting female rappers against each other, Queen Latifah created a song that united women and encouraged them to reclaim their power.
In 1989, "Ladies First" shone a light on both the misogyny of the hip hop industry, but also extended beyond music to highlight a history of inequality with it's political music video.
Chronicling the rise of Dana Owens from her upbringing in Newark, New Jersey to her rise towards music royalty as Queen Latifah, the latest episode takes a deep dive into the song that helped change how women were viewed in the music industry.
Click here to stream the Season Finale now.
Plus, check out the Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America YouTube channel for more exclusive interviews that you won't see on the air.
The Full Season 1 of Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America is available to watch now on amc.com and the AMC apps for mobile and devices.
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